We Are the Champions: Building a Cybersecurity Culture that Lasts

How to Empower Employees and Strengthen Defenses from the Inside Out

By Nick Kelly, Senior Security Solutions Architect

In cybersecurity, there is a long-standing cliché: “users are the problem.” You may have heard some of the old, tired jokes:

• “User is a four-letter word”
• “PEBKAC – problem exists between keyboard and chair”
• “It’s an ID10T (idiot) error”

The truth? This mindset is outdated and dangerous.

Most security awareness trainings exist to check a box for compliance. The content is usually dated, taking a one-size-fits-all approach. This would be fine if all users were the same, but they are not. Some simply don’t understand the risk that can come from their actions. They may not recognize the signs of a phishing email or understand basic data privacy.

Meanwhile, technology sprawl is overwhelming IT teams. Many organizations deploy more tools than they can effectively manage. Less than half of logged security events get investigated, and many threats slip through the cracks.

What’s missing? A force multiplier – people.

Your Untapped Security Asset: Your Users

Imagine a scenario where the work force didn’t just understand risk, but felt motivated to help keep the organization secure. This is the vision behind Aspire Cyber IQ. This human risk management (HRM) platform is designed to help users train, test, and triumph over threats.

Most companies already perform risk analysis on systems and networks. This is usually done through vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and policy review. Human Risk Intelligence can measure similar metrics of a company’s users.

• Do users feel that security tools slow them down?
• Can they spot phishing and social engineering tactics?
• Are they remote, in-office, or hybrid workers?
• Do they handle privileged or sensitive data?

These are legitimate questions to measure which users represent potential risk, but that is only one set of metrics. Another equally important one is how engaged the users feel. Customized, tailored security training is one method to ensure users feel compelled to be part of the solution, not the problem.

The Engagement Factor

Users who represent risk are not all malicious. Some individuals have the attitude that the organization’s security team should stop everything, and they should be free to just click on anything and go anywhere on the internet. Those users are completely different from someone who means well but falls for a skillfully crafted phishing email.

Both users pose risks – but they are not the same. Their training can’t be, either.

That’s why Aspire Cyber IQ rejects the one-size-fits-all approach. Customizing training based on measurable human factors can ensure engagement and drive users’ willingness and confidence in the company’s cybersecurity culture.

Traditional training programs are based on simple quantitative measures like completion percentage. Adaptive security awareness training adds in the qualitative considerations like survey responses, confidence scores, and attitudes toward security. Leveraging this combination, organizations can tailor trainings to ensure users feel engaged.

From Users to Champions

The result is a workforce that is not just informed about security but is enthusiastic about it. Users are more engaged and less likely to act in ways that increase risk. They become human sensors who

• Keep security top of mind:
• Report suspicious activity
• Embed security into daily decision-making

⭢ Ready to transform your workforce into cybersecurity champions?

Learn more and schedule a demo at https://www.aspiretransforms.com/aspire-cyber-iq/