As partes interessadas não técnicas minimizam uma ameaça à segurança. Você está preparado para mostrar sua verdadeira gravidade?

One thing to keep in mind as a Technical person is that your communication should be on the same wavelength as that of the stakeholder's. 'This can result in financial loss or xx amount of fine for non-compliance' is more likely grab their attention rather than 'Your client data is unencrypted or you don't have blah-blah security control'. Focus to present the 'Business' impacts that the security threat can cause.

Identificar a ameaça é fundamental para que não haja um over react quanto a reação, porém a notificação não deve depender de critérios demorados e que eliminem a subjetividade. Melhor uma reação exagerada (vide bug do milênio) antes uma catástrofe sem reação.

Start by getting clear alignment on who owns which asset. Business leaders are usually enthusiastic about owning assets but they run in the opposite direction when security practitioners talk about risk. Once asset owners are established, it's an easy step to demonstrate the risk is an intrinsic characteristic of the asset. For that reason, the asset owner also owns the risk and only the asset owner can accept the risk. Often a stakeholder is downplaying a threat or risk because they do not feel any ownership of the risk; they assume incorrectly that the risk can be divorced from the asset. The risk is your problem even though they get to claim the asset. That's not how this works. Often the mindset changes dramatically once that's clear

To address non-technical stakeholders who downplay a security threat, prepare by clearly articulating the potential impact and consequences of the threat in business terms. Use concrete examples and data to illustrate how the threat could affect operations, finances, and reputation. Provide a risk assessment that highlights the likelihood of the threat materializing and the severity of potential damage. Emphasize any relevant industry incidents or case studies to contextualize the threat’s seriousness. Communicate the urgency and necessity of addressing the threat to mitigate potential risks, and propose actionable steps to enhance security measures.

I will present real-world case studies to the Non-technical stakeholders of similar security incidents in other organizations to show the potential impact and costs associated with such threats

Technical jargon should be translated into business-relevant language that non-technical stakeholders can comprehend. Emphasize how the change would impact their interests, such as lost revenue or interrupted operations.

It is crucial to communicate the technical details of the security threat in a way that is accessible to non technical stakeholders. By breaking down complex concepts and using clear language, stakeholders can better understand the nature of the threat and its potential implications. This can be achieved through visual aids, such as diagrams or infographics, that simplify the technical aspects and make them more digestible.

Internal and external stakeholders such as risk teams, insurance brokers, and consultants can help translate technical security threats into tangible business risks using internal data and real-life breach examples. They provide valuable insights by assigning financial impact figures and assessing the likelihood of these risks occurring.

Unless you are able to successfully translate your requirements in terms of the interests of the stakeholders, you would find it challenging to get a buy in from the leadership. The stakeholders will support you only if they see benefit to the business area they are responsible for.

In today's fast-paced and busy world, the focus is largely on visuals. With so much going on in everyone's lives, it's important to be specific and create engaging visuals that can capture attention, even from non-technical stakeholders. It's true that today's world is predominantly visuals-based.

Using visual aids is a powerful way to communicate security threats to non-technical stakeholders. Diagrams, flowcharts, and infographics can simplify complex concepts, illustrating how an attack could unfold and lead to widespread disruption. By visualizing the interconnected nature of security risks, you make the threat more tangible and easier to grasp. This approach not only captures attention but also ensures the information sticks, helping stakeholders understand the necessity of comprehensive security measures.

Visual representations like impact charts, timelines, and case studies are incredibly effective in making complex information accessible. They can visually demonstrate the path from a minor oversight to a major business disruption, driving home the need for immediate action.

Visual aids are powerful tools for illustrating how technical security measures align with business risks. They help convey context, map out the relationship between security actions and business impacts, and demonstrate how proposed measures can enhance overall security posture, particularly in relation to frameworks like NIST.

Personally, I would visualize a Before and After Scenario. For example: A picture of a company’s webpage before the DDoS incident occurred compared to when the DDoS incident occurred, supplemented with captions that depict the impact on the business in general.

We all love stories and many times I use the art of storytelling as a tool to illustrate the tangible consequences of cyber threats. This approach helps business leaders grasp the potential impact on their operations, emphasizing the importance of proactive security measures. Real-life examples, such as the Target data breach in 2013, serve as cautionary tales that underscore the need for robust security protocols and continuous vigilance. It is worth mentioned that storytelling should not always come across as being an alarmist or of gloom and doom, but it's about the lessons we can learn from these incidents.

Providing concrete examples and case studies can help illustrate the severity of the security threat. By showcasing real-life scenarios where similar threats have resulted in significant harm, stakeholders can see the tangible impact that can occur if the threat is not taken seriously. These examples can include data breaches, cyber attacks, or other security incidents that have affected organizations in the past.

To highlight the severity of a threat, I create realistic scenarios that illustrate the potential consequences of ignoring the risk. For example, I might detail how a data breach could result in loss of customer trust and significant financial penalties, making the risk feel more immediate and tangible.

I totally agree with that. Szenarien sind eine effektive Möglichkeit, um nicht-technischen Beteiligten die Schwere von Sicherheitsbedrohungen deutlich zu machen. Durch anschauliche, plausible Beispiele können die potenziellen Folgen wie Datenverlust, rechtliche Probleme und Vertrauensverlust klar aufgezeigt werden. So wird die Bedrohung für die Beteiligten konkreter und greifbarer.

Regular online and offline workshops should be conducted for the general public in schools, offices, and social gatherings. All stakeholders need to be involved and informed about cyber risks and threats. Government bodies and experts in information and cybersecurity should continue awareness campaigns at every start of society.

Engaging stakeholders is crucial to ensure they recognize and take ownership of security challenges. Begin by actively listening to their concerns and addressing them with empathy, guiding the conversation toward a mutual understanding of the threat's significance. Encourage questions, offering clear and concise answers that highlight the importance of proactive security measures. By fostering an inclusive dialogue, you make stakeholders feel involved in the decision-making process, leading to stronger support for implementing necessary security strategies and reinforcing a collective commitment to protecting the organization.

Engaging stakeholders is crucial for addressing security threats effectively. Active listening and empathy help build a shared understanding of the threat's significance. Encourage questions and offer clear, concise answers to reinforce the need for proactive measures. By fostering an inclusive dialogue, you make stakeholders feel involved and invested in the decision-making process. This collaborative approach increases their support for necessary security strategies and ensures they recognize the importance of addressing the threat.

Acompanho o time do comercial sempre preocupado com redução de custos, mas na área de Cyber é importante gastar antes, para não ser pego de surpresa lá na frente. Detalhar tecnicamente e também de forma mais simples como o dinheiro deve ser investido e quais serão os benefícios para a empresa deve ser claro entre todos os setores.

Engajar as partes interessadas é fundamental para assegurar que elas se apropriem verdadeiramente das questões de segurança. Isso exige uma escuta ativa e empática das suas preocupações, ao mesmo tempo em que se orienta a discussão para uma compreensão mútua da ameaça. Incentivar perguntas e oferecer respostas claras e diretas não só esclarece a importância das medidas de segurança proativas, mas também promove um diálogo inclusivo. Esse engajamento não apenas reforça a relevância das estratégias de segurança, mas também fortalece o apoio necessário para sua implementação bem-sucedida, tornando as partes interessadas participantes ativas no processo de proteção.

I can also add the following to this topic. Umsetzbare Schritte sind essenziell, um nicht-technische Beteiligte vom Bewusstsein zur konkreten Handlung zu führen. Nach der Darstellung der Bedrohung sollten Sie klare Maßnahmen wie die Einführung stärkerer Authentifizierungsverfahren, regelmäßige Software-Updates und gezielte Mitarbeiterschulungen präsentieren. Diese Schritte geben den Beteiligten nicht nur ein besseres Verständnis der Bedrohung, sondern auch die notwendigen Werkzeuge, um Risiken zu mindern und die Sicherheit des Unternehmens effektiv zu verbessern. Durch die Bereitstellung konkreter Handlungsanweisungen schaffen Sie einen klaren Weg zur Risikobewältigung.

Por fim, apresentar etapas acionáveis juntamente com a avaliação de ameaças é fundamental para passar da conscientização à ação. Você precisa delinear medidas claras e práticas que podem ser tomadas para mitigar os riscos identificados. Isso pode incluir a implementação de processos de autenticação mais fortes, a atualização regular do software ou a realização de treinamento de funcionários sobre as melhores práticas de segurança. Ao fornecer um caminho a seguir, você não apenas destaca a gravidade da ameaça, mas também capacita as partes interessadas com o conhecimento e as ferramentas para enfrentá-la de forma eficaz.

Presenting actionable steps is crucial for turning stakeholder awareness into concrete action. After outlining the severity of the threat, provide clear, practical measures to mitigate the risks. This could involve implementing stronger authentication methods, scheduling regular software updates, or initiating comprehensive employee training on security best practices. Offering these tangible solutions not only underscores the importance of addressing the threat but also empowers stakeholders to take effective and informed action, ensuring the organization is better protected against potential risks.

Definitely. There has be an action set associated with any threat assessment that has happened. The steps should be clearly defined and be listed in a step-wise manner and be discussed with the stakeholders in detail. This document should list all the available options or action items, that are available to the stakeholders and also the after-effects of those changes should be explained in a precise manner so the stakeholders know what they will be getting into. Some of the solutions or actions might work for one customer but not for the another so this discussion shouldn't be approached in a one-size-fits-all manner but rather a tailor-made fashion. Recurring discussions should happen around this till the time stakeholders are in-sync.

Once the threat is understood, offering actionable steps is crucial to drive security improvements. Clear measures such as enforcing multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, and comprehensive employee security training can make a significant difference. By outlining practical steps to mitigate risks, you transform awareness into a plan. This empowers stakeholders not only to recognize the threat but also to feel confident in their ability to manage it effectively, ensuring proactive security management. #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #SecurityAwareness #ActionPlan