How do you explain cybersecurity to clients?

1 Understand your audience

Before you start explaining cybersecurity to your clients, you need to understand who they are, what they do, and what they care about. Different clients will have different levels of technical knowledge, business objectives, and risk tolerance. You need to tailor your message to suit their context and expectations. For example, if you are working with a small business owner who is concerned about data breaches, you might focus on the basics of encryption, backup, and password management. If you are working with a large corporation that is subject to compliance regulations, you might go into more detail about the standards, frameworks, and audits involved in cybersecurity.

2 Use simple and concrete language

One of the biggest challenges of explaining cybersecurity to clients is avoiding jargon and acronyms that might confuse or intimidate them. You want to use simple and concrete language that is easy to understand and relate to. For example, instead of saying "cybersecurity is the practice of protecting information systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, modification, or destruction", you might say "cybersecurity is like locking your doors and windows to keep your valuables safe from thieves". You can also use analogies, examples, and stories to illustrate your points and make them more memorable.

3 Highlight the benefits and value

Another important tip for explaining cybersecurity to clients is to highlight the benefits and value of investing in it. You want to show them how cybersecurity can help them achieve their goals, solve their problems, and improve their situation. For example, you might explain how cybersecurity can help them increase their productivity, reduce their costs, enhance their reputation, or comply with their obligations. You can also use statistics, testimonials, or case studies to demonstrate the impact and results of cybersecurity.

4 Address their concerns and objections

As you explain cybersecurity to your clients, you might encounter some resistance or skepticism from them. They might have some concerns or objections about the cost, complexity, or necessity of cybersecurity. You need to address these issues and overcome them with facts, logic, and empathy. For example, if they say that cybersecurity is too expensive, you might show them how much more expensive a cyberattack could be in terms of lost revenue, recovery expenses, and legal fees. If they say that cybersecurity is too complicated, you might show them how you can simplify and automate it with the right tools and processes. If they say that cybersecurity is not relevant to them, you might show them how they are exposed to various cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

5 Engage them in the process

The final tip for explaining cybersecurity to clients is to engage them in the process and make them feel involved and empowered. You want to avoid lecturing them or overwhelming them with information. Instead, you want to invite them to ask questions, share feedback, and express their opinions. You also want to offer them options, recommendations, and guidance on how to implement and improve their cybersecurity. You want to make them feel that you are their partner and ally in protecting their digital assets and interests.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?