What do you do if your security controls and measures are not effectively communicated?

1. Defina una arquitectura de seguridad, al definirla no únicamente se habla de tecnología o conceptos, parte fundamental son las políticas así como los protocolos de comunicación entre las tecnologías para compartir información y las políticas y procesos dirán que acciones realizar. 2. Seleccione que debería de comunicarse con qué y que tipo de información es la que mínima necesaria para tomar decisiones, ejecutar una acción sustentada en la arquitectura, políticas o estándares o bien en la información que proveen las herramientas de seguridad. 3. Tenga indicadores que muestren de manera sencilla la eficiencia y eficacia de los controles, las políticas, los estándares y el flujo de información. 4. Con base en las métricas mejore el proceso

Several steps can be taken: Assess the current level of knowledge among the relevant stakeholders through various means like interviews, surveys, and workshops, try to identify communication gaps, conduct training and education programs, send regular updates, and educate leadership to get their sign-off and feedback mechanism. We can improve the communication of security controls and measures within the organization which will help to enhance the overall security posture.

In my experience, one has to work with everyone involved, and one has to get them all onboard with the understanding that it is always all about "process." We are simply documenting a process, either one that is completed outside a system or inside a system as it is developed, implemented, maintained and operated. Once process owners and participants understand that controls are steps in a process intended to mitigate against some risk inherent to the process - or a risk that could be introduced into the process either intentionally or unwittingly - documenting processes and controls included in those processes is a little easier. Understanding that everything is "process" is key here, and processes are always completed stepwise.

Following points would be helpful to address the concern in case the security controls/measures that were not effectively communicated. 1) Assess and evaluate effectiveness of Communication made with stakeholders. 2) Simplify the documentation and expectations require from HoDs/Mid Management in clear Dos/Don't format, as possible. 3) Use collaboration tools that allow for easy dissemination and discussion of security-related information and develop and FAQ/KB beforehand.

If security controls are not effectively communicated starts with assessing gaps in understanding needs of stakeholders. Choose ways of communication in more simpler and straightforward way and rather using more visual format to make communication effective. Create plan to provide training in more interactive manner.

Goals might include: Tailor your communication to different audiences - technical teams might need in-depth explanations, while executives might benefit from a focus on business risks. Utilize various communication channels to reach everyone. This could include training sessions, email campaigns, internal newsletters, and visually appealing infographics. Don't just explain the controls, explain how they benefit users. Frame security as a way to protect individual privacy and overall organizational success. Don't let security awareness become a one-time event. Regularly reinforce key messages through training refreshers, security reminders, and phishing simulations.

This is where Lean/Six Sigma type solutions can be helpful! Find solutions that are efficient, easy to implement, and as "instinctive" as possible. If it's a major inconvenience to implement, isn't "in front" of them visually, or something that's going to seriously detract their time and attention from their primary duties, getting compliance will require a lot more enforcement efforts.

Develop a comprehensive communication plan tailored to your organisation and its stakeholders. This should outline the target audience, key messages, communication channels, and frequency of communication. It's crucial to simplify and clarify the security controls and measures using plain, easy-to-understand language. Engage with key stakeholders, such as managers and end-users, to gather feedback and ensure the goals align with their needs. Prioritise and streamline the most critical controls, establish clear metrics and accountability, and provide ongoing training and awareness programmes.

Create visual and use numbers. Business execs and stakeholders need to be on board with the company’s security strategy, but for them to be on board they have to understand it and its benefit. Devise ways to simplify technical terms, translate technical terms into loss and risk, highlight ROI of their support for the implementation of these controls.

Avoid technical jargon and acronyms that might confuse your audience. Use relatable examples to illustrate the potential consequences of security breaches. Incorporate interactive training sessions, quizzes, or gamification elements to boost user engagement. Management commitment to security awareness is essential. Leaders should actively demonstrate good security practices. Create open channels for employees to ask questions and report concerns. This fosters a culture of security awareness and helps identify areas where communication needs improvement.

The security policy should feature a dynamic communication plan, integral to an engaging security awareness program. This plan should be consistently shared and incorporated into mandatory training sessions, empowering everyone to stay informed and vigilant.

Develop training programs that address specific knowledge gaps for different user groups. This could include password hygiene training for everyone, or in-depth phishing identification training for high-risk personnel. Track the effectiveness of your communication efforts. Use surveys, phishing simulations, or knowledge checks to gauge user understanding of security protocols. Don't just measure knowledge retention, measure behavior change. Look for a decrease in risky behavior like clicking suspicious links after security awareness campaigns. Based on your metrics and feedback, refine your communication strategies to bridge any remaining gaps in understanding or implementation.

Effective communication hinges on engagement. Foster consistent interaction with your team to address security concerns. Whether through meetings, emails, or newsletters, the aim is to maintain a vigilant stance on security and offer ongoing education about emerging threats. By nurturing regular engagement, you not only underscore the significance of security but also cultivate a culture where everyone shares accountability for safeguarding our assets

When using visual resources, always ensure they include clear and concise captions, and if necessary, descriptions that not only explain what it means but also outline its business impact. This dissipates the process of translating technical language. Another tip I give is to ensure that the presentation of these reports is regular, so that any questions that arise can be addressed along the way. I always ask my less experienced analysts if they fully understand the presentations before delivering them.

Visuals can be a highly effective way to simplify and clarify security controls and measures. Use clear, easy-to-understand diagrams, infographics, and illustrated guides to convey complex information in a more accessible format. Engage with key stakeholders, such as managers and end-users, presenting the security goals and controls through visually engaging presentations. Establish clear metrics and accountability, visualising performance data through dashboards and reports. Finally, remain agile, regularly reviewing and updating the security goals, controls and visual communication strategies as the business evolves and new threats emerge.

Billboards can be very effective, or dressing up in a chicken suit with a large sash, to clearly communicate security controls. I great idea is to hire trained hamsters, dye them yellow and dress them up as minions, then let them loose every morning, while playing "Shout at the Devil" by Motley Crue, over the PA system. If that doesn't communicate a communication issue, I don't know what possibly could!

Training is an essential part of any security strategy. It empowers your team with the knowledge they need to protect your organization's assets. For example, a simple training session on phishing emails can equip your team to identify and avoid such threats, reducing the risk of a security breach. Remember, a well-trained team is your strongest defense against cyber threats. So, invest in regular, practical, and engaging training sessions to keep your team informed and prepared.

Comprehensive security awareness training is crucial for all employees. It should cover topics like password management, phishing detection, and physical security best practices. This training should use interactive and engaging methods, like video scenarios and quizzes, to ensure the information is easily retained. Role-based security training is recommended, with in-depth technical training for IT and security personnel. Secondly, communication and presentation skills training can equip the team to convey complex security concepts clearly and understandably. This should be complemented by training on creating user-friendly security documentation and maintaining up-to-date, accessible information.

It's critical to engage the highest-level stakeholders in the organization to fully communicate the risks and objectives and how they align with organizational goals. With full understanding, they will not only empower and support your efforts, but by providing them with proper context and real-world examples, they will be armed to augment your own team as ambassadors to enhance those communication efforts. We need all the help we can get!

Employees unaware of specific security protocols might unknowingly engage in risky behavior, like clicking on suspicious links or sharing sensitive data on unsecured platforms. Without understanding the "why" behind security measures, users may find them inconvenient or burdensome, leading to workarounds that bypass controls. A lack of awareness about reporting procedures can delay the identification and containment of security incidents, allowing threats to escalate. Make security a priority at all levels of the organization. Leaders should actively communicate the importance of security and participate in security awareness initiatives.

Great and very useful recommendations 👍 To add to it I would suggest the following: 1. Setting SMART goals and objectives for your controls from the first beginning. 2. Proactively communicate the effectiveness of the controls to the stakeholders on a regular basis. 3. Demonstrate controls effectiveness by presenting the results in simple business oriented language. Good luck 👍