6 Things Cybersecurity Leaders Can Do Now to Win the Cybersecurity War

Is there really a cybersecurity war? Yes, that’s an appropriate descriptor for what’s happening today. This digital war isn’t just hackers versus professionals. There’s an internal war happening in many organizations as well. In both situations, there is extreme urgency to turn the tide. The key to winning it is in the hands of cybersecurity leaders and how they build, lead, and empower teams. So, what can you do right now to improve your security posture and your employees?

The War Is Real

You need only look at the data to know war is occurring. Data breaches exposed?22 billion records in 2021. Ransomware has also been rising, with?37% of global organizations stating they were the victim. In 2021, this rose by?92.7%?compared with 2020! These stats encapsulate the external threat.

However, don’t forget about internal ones. These involve human error (the?leading cause of data breaches), cyber fatigue (apathy toward proactive defense), technical team shortcomings, and dysfunctional work cultures.

As a cybersecurity leader, you’re fighting the war on two fronts. Hackers are passionate about what they do. That’s not an endorsement but simply an observation. Can you say your employees have the same fervor? Additionally, your team is likely standing in its own way, struggling with communication, collaboration, and anything outside of the little box they believe to be the only tenets of cybersecurity.

So, how do you take on both?

Fighting the Cybersecurity War: What Do You Need in Your Arsenal?

You’re fighting two wars here, but they are winnable if you embrace and implement new strategies that address the root causes. Losing in the war is usually due to not modernizing your approach, both with technology upgrades and team member development. What worked yesterday likely won’t tomorrow, as cybersecurity is a dynamic field. Adaptability and change are necessary yet often lacking in your technical folks.

For an innovative approach to readying your cyber team to win the cybersecurity war, consider these points.

1. Tuning into Awareness

Awareness of self and others is critical to regaining the edge in the war. If people understand their actions and their impact, they can achieve higher problem-solving and critical-thinking levels. They begin to stop making assumptions and focus on the information they gather in any scenario.

2. Developing a Growth Mindset

One of the keys to accomplishing flexibility in your team members is helping them develop a growth mindset. Only from this approach can they be open to change and accept it. Growth mindsets allow people to realize their struggles and take steps to overcome them.

3. Acknowledgment from You Is Critical

If you want your team to improve their mindset and contributions, you must acknowledge their accomplishments. Failure to do so creates apathy and disengagement. It can be the motivation they need to get over a hurdle. You also have to acknowledge their mistakes but do so in private, so there’s no shame involved; just learning.

4. Communication Is at the Core

Of all the people skills you want to develop in your team to win this war, communication is the core. It’s more than the words you say; it’s also the tone and body language. Most technical people come up short here. They may not notice verbal or nonverbal cues.

Communication is all about active listening as well, which is another concern. Many technical professionals only listen to prepare a rebuttal. That causes friction and erodes trust. You can actually teach your people to be better communicators with exercises, encouragement, and leading by example. It’s not always easy, but the impact of improving communication is more effective collaboration, getting everyone on the same page against cybercriminals, not each other.

5. Monotasking Is More Favorable than Multitasking

Most people think multitasking is a positive trait — that someone can juggle multiple things simultaneously. In cybersecurity, this type of thinking sets up failures and mistakes. Instead, explain why monotasking is superior because the quality of the work is greater. It’s also a great philosophy to take into a conversation, so parties are present and listen.

6. Empathy Is a Great Tool to Win the War

Empathy from you as a leader, the organization, and for individual contributors is critical to winning the war. Without it, people jump to conclusions, remain only in their small worldview, and reject change. Empathetic organizations are accountable and supportive. They can move outside their narrow perspective toward collaborative efforts.

Win the Cybersecurity War by Changing the Rules of Engagement

By following these recommendations, cybersecurity leaders effectually change the rules of engagement. With an approach that hypes people skills, communication, and collaboration, the deciding factor isn’t technical aptitude. Rather, it’s the product of a synergized team. And when you create that, you win the war and are ready for anything that happens next.

Learn more about these 6 areas in my book "The Smartest Person in the Room".

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