With advances in SaaS applications, virtual desks, and cloud computing, the world of work is constantly evolving. And unfortunately, so are the security issues that come with such technological advancement.

With a global surge in information security incidents resulting in the average cost of a data breach reaching a whopping $4.45 million globally, being able to engage your non-IT executives has become more important than ever.

Specifically, articulating cyber security issues to your senior leadership team remains one of your biggest challenges.

We’re going to explore pragmatic approaches in overcoming this hurdle, the need for frequent security updates, insights for CISOs in effective communication, and strategies for engaging executive teams.

62% of managers have had to admit that miscommunication has directly led to at least one cyber security incident for their organisation. Hopefully with this blog, you can avoid joining that number.

Understanding the challenge

Firstly, it doesn’t help that the technical language surrounding cyber security is itself a barrier for your non-IT staff.

Research shows that 22% of people don’t understand the terms, technology and arguments their colleagues in IT security are making. And that problem becomes more acute at the executive level.

Only 5% and 10% of board members in Europe and the United Kingdom respectively have direct cyber security experience. That number is a little higher in the United States at 17%.

To really boil the problem down, as far as the rest of non-IT team members are concerned, your IT security team is literally speaking another language.

7 best strategies for effective leadership communication on cybersecurity

Effective communication is going to act as your rosetta stone to help you bridge the gap between your IT and security teams, and executive leadership.

Here are practical strategies to enhance communication, and ensure that security issues are understood and prioritised accordingly.

1) Engagement

Engage the executive team by clearly articulating security concerns in terms of their impact on the business. Define the nature of the problem, the potential business impact, and the costs involved in mitigating that impact.

By framing security issues in a business context, decision-makers can understand the risks better, and allocate resources accordingly.

2) Address evolving cyber threats

Keep the executive team informed about the latest challenges, and how the organisation is adapting to mitigate these risks. Emphasise how vital it is to keep improving security to stay ahead of new threats.

3) Use visual aids

Visualise security metrics and trends using charts and graphs to make complex data more digestible for non-technical stakeholders. Illustrating the organisation's progress towards security goals and compliance requirements can provide clarity and reinforce the importance of ongoing security efforts.

4) Translate tech jargon into business speak

Avoid technical jargon and acronyms when communicating with executive leadership, and tailor your message to resonate with the specific concerns and priorities of the audience. Emphasise how security initiatives align with business objectives and contribute to overall success.

5) Align cyber security talk with business priorities

As we know, most people likely don’t speak the language of ‘techie,’ and there probably aren’t very many people on the board with a tech background. Understand the business priorities from the board-level perspective to frame security discussions effectively.

6) Create reassurance/awareness on cyber risks

Take a risk-based approach to cyber security discussions that focus on identifying and mitigating critical organisational risks. Engage the executive team in discussions about the organisation's critical assets, preparedness for incident response, and strategies for managing cyber risk effectively.

7) Review security measures

Provide the executive team with regular updates on the relevance and impact of security measures implemented. Share progress reports and discuss the effectiveness of current security controls and processes. This ongoing dialogue ensures that security initiatives remain aligned with the organisation’s goals and priorities.

By implementing these strategies, your IT and security team can effectively communicate security issues to executive leadership, garner support for security initiatives, and ultimately strengthen the organisation's data security posture.

Harnessing the power of Metomic to communicate more effectively

As a powerful data security platform, Metomic streamlines communication of security issues to your organisation's executive board.

Here's how you can utilise Metomic's capabilities to facilitate this process:

1. Thorough data security Risk Audit:

Metomic conducts a comprehensive data security Risk Audit, offering a detailed assessment of your organisation's security status.

This audit pinpoints vulnerabilities and areas for enhancement, providing invaluable insights to effectively communicate security risks to the executive board.

2. Tailored cyber security reports:

Metomic enables the creation of customised cyber security reports that can be tailored to the specific requirements of your executive board.

These reports succinctly present key security metrics, trends, and compliance statuses, allowing the clear and concise communication of security issues to the board members.

3. Actionable insights and recommendations:

Beyond identifying security issues, Metomic gives you actionable insights and recommendations for improvement.

These insights allow you to prioritise security initiatives and advocate for necessary resources to address critical vulnerabilities, facilitating informed discussions with the executive board.

4. Intuitive interface:

Metomic boasts a user-friendly interface, simplifying the navigation and comprehension of your organisation's security data.

By harnessing the power of Metomic, you can streamline communication of security issues to the executive board, expanding their understanding of security risks.

In turn, this opens the door to informed decision-making that will strengthen your organisation's security posture.

Conclusion

Worldwide cyber crime costs are estimated to hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

Given that that’s the security landscape your organisation finds itself in, you can’t afford to communicate security issues poorly to your executive board.

Highlighting practical strategies - like translating technical issues into business terms and aligning cyber security discussions with business priorities - are crucial steps. Nurturing an internal security voice and demonstrating the business value of security initiatives are also vital.

Leveraging tools like Metomic, which offer a comprehensive audit and customisable reports, can aid in this process.

By implementing these strategies, organisations can proactively protect against cyber threats and foster a security-aware culture within the organisation.

‍Book your personalised demo now to see how Metomic’s data security tools can foster easier communication between your IT security team and the executive suite.