What the information security industry should learn from sustainable fashion storytelling
Jan Martijn Broekhof MBA
Working non stop to increase justice on the worldwide digital infrastructure by offering Guardian360 security as a service
At first glance, information security and fashion do not seem to have much in common. But if you take some time to think about the similarities in both industries and how we consume the products, there are actually quite a few lessons to be learned from organizations and consumers that have embraced sustainable fashion. The way in which sustainable fashion brands tell their story can be inspiring for information security professionals.
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion refers to clothing that is designed, manufactured, distributed, and used in ways that are environmentally friendly. Ethical fashion, a related term that is also prevalent in the conscious consumerism world, refers to clothing made in ways that value social welfare and worker rights. (Note: For vegans, ethical fashion may also refer to the avoidance of pelts, leather, and animal fibers in the clothes.)
Because environmentalism goes hand in hand with socially equitable practices, however, ethical and sustainable fashion are intricately tied together.
As both manufacturers and consumers have become increasingly aware of the effects on our planet if we do not produce and consume sustainably, sustainable fashion has become increasingly dominant. However, there have been some important developments beforehand. Think of creating awareness among consumers about working conditions in so-called sweatshops, environmental pollution, transport and waste in the fashion industry. While the tone was formerly alarming and preachy, a sustainable story has emerged later. A positive story that people recognize themselves in.
What is a sustainable story?
During a masterclass on sustainable storytelling Talita Kalloe (Founder Soul Stores & Sustainable Storyteller) explained it like this:
A sustainable story is an inspiring story that weaves together your purpose, values, and beliefs like a golden thread. It is a story that touches the core on a deeper level and makes the soul and authenticity of your company visible. With a sustainable story, you create engagement and can inform, inspire, motivate, or activate your ideal customer to make sustainable and conscious choices.
A strong sustainable story brings visibility at a soul level and ensures that your ideal customer resonates with your offer and remains engaged. Your authenticity, credibility, and clarity form the foundation of your story. These three pillars ensure that you and your target audience feel seen and heard. In addition, these invite you to connect inspiration and content. This ensures that you always have a distinctive story that resonates.
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What's the information security industry equivalent?
Currently the information security is mainly focussing on the downsides of information security. By publishing information about hacks, presenting people as the weakest link and introducing terms as "zero trust". While this has contributed to awareness in the past, we must prevent people from becoming scared, which could discourage them and keep them from taking action. We need to change the story from blaming the users and stating they can't be trusted into a story that the are the information security heroes of our time.
Like consumers in the fashion industry want to know if the supply chain of their clothing is sustainable, consumers of IT and information systems should be asking likewise questions. Is not only your direct supplier of IT-services and products acting as secure as possible, are their suppliers also? When using software, is the software bill of material in place, do we know all components in the software are being updated when there's a weakness in it?
Instead of pushing all kinds of shiny new products and services, consultants and resellers of hard- and software should be asking the client if they really need these. Clients should be asking these questions themselves as well. Simply only buy new products and services when you need them, like more and more people are only buying new clothing when they really need is.
When is your story credible?
If your story is only a hollow marketing statement, people will feel it's not credible. To make your story credible it really has to be your story. You must be truly intrinsically motivated, not only should that be evident in what you say, but especially in what you do. It should be embedded in your DNA so to say.
Of course, it's not easy to always live up to your ambition. Guardian360 was founded with the vision to increase justice on the digital infrastructure in a rebellious manner. Looking back on the past few years not everything we did or published contributed to that goal. However, because the mission is deeply embedded in the culture of our organisation, we always come back to it. This is also resembled in setting up G360DAO, which aims to become a community of information security professionals worldwide that solve the big issues we face in our industry.
As an information security professional ask yourself what your deepest motivation is to be in this industry. Are you really trying to make a change and solve hard information security problems? Tell more about it and create a movement that inspires other professionals!
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