How do you communicate with stakeholders on cybersecurity?

1 Identify your audience

Before you start communicating, you need to understand who your audience is, what they need to know, and how they prefer to receive information. For example, a client may want to know how you protect their data and comply with relevant laws, a user may want to know how to use your system safely and easily, a manager may want to know the status and risks of your project, a regulator may want to see evidence of your security standards and policies, and an auditor may want to verify your security controls and procedures. You should tailor your message, language, format, and channel according to your audience's profile and needs.

2 Explain the value and impact of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, but a business and social one. You should communicate how cybersecurity affects the value and impact of your system, such as its functionality, performance, reliability, usability, compliance, reputation, and trust. You should also communicate the benefits and costs of cybersecurity, such as how it enhances customer satisfaction, reduces operational risks, saves money, and supports strategic goals. You should use concrete examples, scenarios, and metrics to illustrate your points and avoid jargon and acronyms.

3 Engage and educate your stakeholders

Cybersecurity is not a one-way communication, but a dialogue and collaboration. You should engage and educate your stakeholders on cybersecurity, such as by soliciting their feedback, answering their questions, addressing their concerns, and providing them with resources and guidance. You should also involve them in your cybersecurity processes, such as by asking them to participate in security testing, training, and awareness campaigns. You should build trust and rapport with your stakeholders by being transparent, honest, respectful, and responsive.

4 Align your cybersecurity with your stakeholder's goals

Cybersecurity is not an isolated or independent activity, but a part of your system's lifecycle and your stakeholder's objectives. You should align your cybersecurity with your stakeholder's goals, such as by showing how it supports their requirements, expectations, and preferences. You should also align your cybersecurity with your system's architecture, design, development, deployment, and maintenance. You should follow best practices and standards for cybersecurity, such as by using secure coding, encryption, authentication, authorization, logging, monitoring, and auditing.

5 Communicate regularly and proactively

Cybersecurity is not a static or fixed state, but a dynamic and evolving one. You should communicate regularly and proactively with your stakeholders on cybersecurity, such as by updating them on your progress, challenges, achievements, and plans. You should also communicate any changes, incidents, or issues that affect your cybersecurity, such as by informing them of new threats, vulnerabilities, patches, or breaches. You should use appropriate methods and tools for communication, such as by using email, phone, video, chat, reports, dashboards, or alerts.

6 Adapt and improve your communication

Cybersecurity is not a one-time or final task, but a continuous and iterative one. You should adapt and improve your communication with your stakeholders on cybersecurity, such as by evaluating its effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. You should also seek and implement feedback, suggestions, and lessons learned from your stakeholders and yourself. You should always strive to improve your communication skills, knowledge, and tools for cybersecurity.

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?