How do you improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners?

1 Assess your partners' cybersecurity posture

The first step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to assess their current level of cybersecurity maturity and compliance. You can use various tools and frameworks, such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or the ISO 27001 standard, to evaluate how well your partners align with your own security policies and best practices. You can also conduct audits, surveys, or interviews to identify any gaps or risks in their cybersecurity processes and controls.

2 Establish clear expectations and agreements

The second step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to establish clear expectations and agreements regarding cybersecurity roles and responsibilities. You can use contracts, service level agreements, or memoranda of understanding to define the scope, terms, and conditions of your collaboration, and to specify the security requirements and standards that your partners must follow. You can also include clauses on data protection, confidentiality, incident response, reporting, and liability in case of a breach or compromise.

3 Provide training and resources

The third step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to provide training and resources to help them develop their cybersecurity skills and knowledge. You can offer online courses, webinars, workshops, or newsletters to educate your partners on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and best practices. You can also share your own cybersecurity policies, procedures, guidelines, or checklists to help them implement and maintain effective security measures. You can also encourage your partners to participate in cybersecurity events, forums, or communities to learn from other experts and peers.

4 Monitor and communicate

The fourth step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to monitor and communicate regularly about cybersecurity issues and performance. You can use dashboards, reports, or metrics to track and measure how well your partners are complying with your security standards and expectations. You can also use feedback, reviews, or recognition to reward or improve their cybersecurity behavior and culture. You can also use channels, such as email, phone, or chat, to communicate openly and promptly about any cybersecurity incidents, concerns, or suggestions.

5 Review and update

The fifth step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to review and update your cybersecurity strategies and practices periodically. You can use audits, assessments, or surveys to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your cybersecurity collaboration and to identify any areas for improvement or innovation. You can also use meetings, workshops, or consultations to discuss and agree on any changes or updates to your cybersecurity policies, standards, or requirements. You can also use feedback, surveys, or testimonials to measure the satisfaction and engagement of your partners with your cybersecurity culture.

6 Foster trust and collaboration

The sixth step to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture with external partners is to foster trust and collaboration among all the parties involved. You can use events, activities, or initiatives to build and maintain positive and respectful relationships with your partners and to promote a shared vision and mission for cybersecurity. You can also use incentives, rewards, or recognition to motivate and empower your partners to take ownership and responsibility for cybersecurity. You can also use platforms, tools, or methods to facilitate and streamline the information and service exchange with your partners in a secure and efficient manner.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?