Top Security Awareness Techniques

You can't buy the best cybersecurity tool ever, and you need it. Culture, a security culture. Cybersecurity needs a strong culture to drive it. It’s about leadership, intentional programs, and turning security into a shared mission. Learn how to engage employees, get leadership buy-in, measure meaningful KPIs, and make security a true business differentiator. 🧙🏼♂️In this episode of The Keyboard Samurai Podcast , Mike Williams President of Appalachia Technologies, LLC sat down with me to discuss how he builds a culture of cybersecurity. ⏯️ Full episode link in the comments. Here's the TLDR 👇 1. Culture Starts with Leadership ↳ Leaders set the tone for security ↳ Model the behavior you expect ↳ Fund programs, not just policies 2. Make Security Intentional ↳ Run phishing drills regularly ↳ Host monthly lunch and learns ↳ Do real tabletop exercises 3. People Are the Front Line ↳ Train users on real-world threats ↳ Reward good security behavior ↳ Turn mistakes into learning 4. Training is Not Culture ↳ Avoid one-and-done modules ↳ Use gamified, role-based content ↳ Train early, often, and in context 5. Security is a Noble Mission ↳ Frame security as protection ↳ Connect actions to real impact ↳ Inspire a sense of purpose 6. Customize by Role or Team ↳ Tailor training to each function ↳ Map risks to daily workflows ↳ Speak their language, not yours 7. Measure What Matters ↳ Track phishing data ↳ Prioritize for your business ↳ Report on IR response times 8. Security is a Client Differentiator ↳ Promote your security posture ↳ Show real effort, not just badges ↳ Use cyber strength to win deals 9. Educate, Don’t Lecture ↳ Share breach case studies ↳ Explain how attacks actually work ↳ Keep stories short and sticky 10. Build the Case with Data ↳ Use risk registers to guide asks ↳ Show the cost of inaction ↳ Bring metrics to the boardroom 11. Security Never Stands Still ↳ Update practices as threats evolve ↳ Watch trends like AI and quantum ↳ Build a learning-first culture This episode will change how you think about security daily. How do you build cyber culture? ⬇️ 🔄 Share to build strong cybersecurity cultures 📲 Follow Wil Klusovsky for wisdom on cyber & tech business

Security Awareness That Actually Works: The Marketing Approach Rethinking Security Awareness Traditional security awareness programs often fall short because they rely on mandatory training sessions and lengthy newsletters that employees quickly tune out. But what if we approached security awareness differently? What if we treated it like marketing? In marketing, we craft messages to engage, capture attention, and influence behavior. With security awareness, your employees are your customers—and you need to market security practices to them effectively. The Marketing Mindset for Security Successful security awareness requires: - Making security visible and accessible - Creating engaging, memorable experiences - Building real relationships between the security team and employees - Delivering messages in formats people actually consume Strategies That Work On-Site or On-Line Events That Engage Host interactive events like “Spin the Wheel” games with security questions and prizes. When employees get answers right, they win something tangible—and leave with a positive association with security. Put Faces to the Security Team Make sure everyone knows who your security team is. When something feels off—like a suspicious email or strange laptop behavior—employees will remember the friendly faces they met and feel comfortable reaching out. Visual Reminders That Stick Use eye-catching posters and run quick security tips on office TVs and conference room screens. Keep the content short, actionable, and friendly—not fear-based or overly technical. Meet Employees Where They Are If you’re a Slack culture, stay present there. Share timely reminders, run polls, start conversations, and invite feedback. The goal is two-way engagement, not broadcasting. The Secret Ingredient: A Security Marketing Manager None of this happens by accident. The most effective programs have someone focused on internal promotion—a dedicated security marketing lead who: - Understands both security principles and marketing strategies - Translates technical concepts into human language - Dedicates time to building and maintaining a culture of security The Ultimate Goal Every employee should know that the security team is here to help—not to punish or block progress. When security is marketed well, employees become allies in protecting the organization—not obstacles to navigate around. Security awareness isn’t about forcing people to comply. It’s about inspiring them to care.

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it's everyone's responsibility. Here are the best practices for training your employees to stay secure: 🔸 Start with the Basics Ensure all employees understand common threats like phishing, malware, and social engineering. 🔸Make Training Ongoing Cyber threats evolve, so should your training. Regular sessions keep employees updated on the latest risks. 🔸Use Real-World Scenarios Simulate phishing attacks and other threats. Practical exercises help employees recognize dangers in real-time. 🔸Tailor Training to Roles Different departments face different risks. Customize training for each role to make it relevant. 🔸Foster a Security-First Culture Encourage employees to report suspicious activities and promote a culture where security is prioritized. 🔸Test and Reinforce Knowledge Conduct periodic tests to assess knowledge retention and reinforce key lessons. Investing in employee training is key to building a human firewall. Strong defenses start with well-informed teams!

💼🔒 Bootstrapping Cybersecurity Awareness on a Budget: A Guide for SMBs 🔒💼 Good Morning Friends. A common sentiment I've encountered among small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners is that cybersecurity education is too costly to implement. However, there are practical, budget-friendly ways to educate your team and secure your business. Here are some thoughts on how SMBs can begin a cybersecurity awareness program without blowing out their budget. 💡 Why It's a Must Firstly, it’s important to recognize that cyber risks are real. SMBs account for nearly 43% of cyber-attack targets. Ignoring cyber threats and risk is not an option; it's a responsibility to your customers and your business. 🛠️ Getting Started on a Shoestring Budget 1️⃣ Free Online Resources: Organizations like the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offer free toolkits and resources tailored for SMBs.    2️⃣ Webinars & Podcasts: There are countless free or inexpensive webinars and Podcasts (Like the CyBUr Guy and CyBUr Smart Morning News) that provide high-quality information on cybersecurity best practices.    3️⃣ Employee Handbook: Include a section on cybersecurity in your existing employee handbook. Make sure it covers basics like strong password policies and phishing scams. 🎯 Actionable Steps 1️⃣ Monthly Security Briefings: Dedicate 10-20 minutes every month to discuss cybersecurity trends and threats. Make it a standing agenda item in team meetings.    2️⃣ Quizzes and Check-ins: Utilize free platforms to create cybersecurity quizzes. Reward employees who score well with small incentives.    3️⃣ Emergency Drills: Simulate a phishing attack or data breach scenario. Evaluate the team’s response and discuss improvements. 🤝 Leveraging Internal Talent 1️⃣ Designate a Cybersecurity Champion: Nominate an employee who is tech-savvy to be the go-to person for cybersecurity queries.    2️⃣ Peer Training: Use the ‘Train the Trainer’ approach where employees become the educators. Share responsibilities and grow together. 💵 Economical Tools and Services 1️⃣ Open-Source Tools: Utilize free open-source cybersecurity tools to protect your systems. 2️⃣ Freemium Models: Many cybersecurity service providers offer freemium models that can be upgraded as your business grows. 3️⃣ Group Discounts: Partner with other SMBs to purchase cybersecurity training or tools at a discounted rate. 4️⃣ Low-cost consultants: There are consultants that can help get you started that won't blow out your whole cybersecurity budget. Find them and engage with them. Remember, cybersecurity is not about having unlimited resources; it's about being resourceful with what you have. Taking even small steps can make a significant difference in your business’s cybersecurity posture. Get CyBUr safe, and make your business CyBUr Smart! 🔒 #Cybersecurity #SMBs #BudgetFriendly #CybersecurityAwareness #Bootstrapping #BusinessSecurity #Knowledgeisprotection

As cyber threats continue to evolve, it's clear that technology alone isn't enough. A robust security culture, where every employee is a Guardian, is essential. The Behavioral Security Model, a concept gaining traction in the industry, offers a compelling approach: 👉Knowledge: Move beyond one-size-fits-all training. Provide personalized, engaging education that empowers employees to understand and mitigate risks specific to their roles. 👉Context: Tailor security measures and tools to individual needs, recognizing that different employees face different challenges. 👉Motivation: Foster a sense of ownership and engagement in cybersecurity. Leadership buy-in and gamification can be powerful motivators. 👉Behavior: Encourage the development of secure habits through continuous learning and reinforcement. This holistic approach recognizes that employees are not vulnerabilities but valuable assets in the fight against cybercrime. By investing in their knowledge, understanding their context, motivating their engagement, and nurturing secure behaviors, we build a human firewall that's far more resilient than any software solution. What's your take on the Behavioral Security Model? How do you think it can be effectively implemented in today's organizations? Share your thoughts below! #Cybersecurity #SecurityCulture #BehavioralSecurity #HumanFirewall #EmployeeEngagement