Cybersecurity awareness training is a core part of our solutions because it’s essential. However, with over 90% of data breaches involving a human element, training alone is table stakes for good security.

True security requires leadership to embed it into daily operations and make it a shared responsibility, not just an IT concern. Business leaders need to take responsibility for cultivating a cybersecurity-aware culture across the organization or entrust someone to lead the charge.

To truly foster a strong security culture, company leadership must take an active role. Here are some ways to make that happen:

Start By Designating a Leader to Drive Cybersecurity Culture

Initiatives succeed when a strong advocate leads the charge. Building a strong cybersecurity culture is no different.

Without a cybersecurity leader, security culture risks being sidelined amid the buzz and demands of daily operations, rather than becoming a core organizational value. At its core, building a strong cybersecurity culture isn’t just about having policies or checklists. It’s about shifting mindsets to make security a shared mission and addressing everyday friction.

To do this, you need an advocate who speaks both “business” and “security”—someone who can bridge the gap between technical risks and real-world workflows.

This role doesn’t have to be exclusive to the CIO or CISO. The best cybersecurity culture can come from anywhere in the company, though they should understand how the company operates and be able to translate security concepts into language that resonates with your employees.

The goal is to create a cybersecurity culture that feels natural and not forced.

A strong advocate drives this by setting clear expectations, reinforcing good habits, and making security simple and accessible. When leadership leads by example and security is woven into daily workflows, it stops being an afterthought and becomes ingrained across the organization.

Develop and Communicate Clear Policies

When it comes to cybersecurity, employees shouldn’t have to guess what’s expected of them. They need clear, easy-to-follow guidelines that spell out the dos and don’ts and help them navigate potential risks. That’s why a strong cybersecurity culture starts with well-communicated, straightforward policies.

The key is to make security approachable. Instead of burying policies in dense documents, take a more hands-on approach. Regular reminders, simple explanations, and real-world examples keep employees engaged with security rather than dreading yet another training session.

Here are a few key areas to focus on:

• Shadow IT – Employees inadvertently using unauthorized apps or tools may seem harmless at first, but they can create significant security vulnerabilities. According to a study by Kaspersky, 11% of cyber incidents were caused by employees deploying unauthorized systems or applications. This highlights the need for a clear approval process for third-party software.
• Incident Reporting – If something seems off, employees should feel comfortable reporting it without fear of blame. The easier and more welcoming you make this process, the more quickly threats can be addressed.
• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) – Depending on your organizational policy, if employees use personal devices for work, they need to know the security expectations clearly. Be it keeping software updated or using a VPN.
• AI Policy – With AI becoming an increasingly integral part of our work lives, it’s important to address the security risks it brings. To avoid compromising sensitive data, set clear guidelines on how employees can use AI responsibly.
• Acceptable Use Policies – Ambiguity is never good. Lay out your policies clearly. Employees should have a clear understanding of what’s okay (and what’s not) when using company equipment, networks, and data.

Promote a Culture of Openness and Communication

What happens if one of your employees falls for a phishing link by mistake? Do you think they’ll report it right away? Or would they hesitate, worried about getting in trouble or looking careless?

That hesitation is exactly what a strong cybersecurity culture should eliminate. Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to good security; it discourages employees from speaking up and delays response times.

A study by ThinkCyber found that nearly 50% of employees don’t report mistakes due to fear of repercussions. To counter this, organizations must foster an environment where employees feel safe admitting mistakes and flagging security concerns without fear of blame or punishment.

The sooner an issue is reported, the easier it is to contain it. For that to happen, cybersecurity needs to be an open conversation, not just a set of rigid rules.

• Encourage Questions – Having a clear point of contact can make all the difference between employees asking questions without fear of judgment and keeping quiet about potential threats.
• Use Real-World Examples – Sometimes, the threat of cyberattacks can seem distant and abstract. Sharing real stories of attacks makes security more tangible and helps employees see the real impact of their actions.
• Host Open Discussions – Cybersecurity can seem intimidating to non-technical personnel. To help with this, conduct regular Q&A sessions to make cybersecurity more accessible and normalize it as part of the daily routine.

Listen to Employees and Reward Good Security Behavior

The best way to build a strong cybersecurity culture isn’t by drilling down on rules; it’s by listening to employees and making security as seamless as possible.

The easier and more hassle-free security is, the more likely people are to follow best security practices. After all, cybersecurity processes aren’t rigid frameworks that work best in isolation; you need to consider people and how they work.

Take multi-factor authentication (MFA), for instance. If logging in becomes cumbersome, employees might rush through steps, store backup codes in insecure places, or even try to bypass the process. This isn’t just negligence; it’s a sign that the process needs refining. That’s why it’s important to focus on simplifying the experience to reduce friction.

At the same time, reinforcing good security habits with positive recognition can go a long way. A simple recognition program can make cybersecurity feel like a team effort, instead of a set of strict rules.

For example, if someone spots a phishing attempt or reports a security gap, they need to be appreciated for taking a proactive step. Even small acknowledgments from leadership can encourage employees to stay engaged and vigilant.

Incorporate Cybersecurity from Employee Onboarding

When a new employee joins, you introduce him or her to your organization’s basic policies right away. Security awareness should be no different.

It needs to start from day one because habits form early, and first impressions matter. If security feels like an afterthought, people will treat it that way. But when it’s built into onboarding, it becomes second nature.

That doesn’t mean overwhelming new hires with lengthy policy documents, and hoping they read them. Instead, security should be seamlessly integrated into their workflow, whether it’s demonstrating a phishing email or introducing them to essential security tools. Just as importantly, they should feel welcomed and know exactly who to reach out to with security concerns.

Making cybersecurity a routine part of onboarding stops it from feeling like an extra task. This strengthens your organization’s security culture and builds long-term resilience.

We’ve Become Ohio’s Trusted Cybersecurity Partner

Building and maintaining a strong security culture doesn’t happen by chance, nor is it a one-time effort—it takes strong leadership commitment, clear communication, and continuous reinforcement.

The Astute Technology Management team helps businesses in Columbus, Cincinnati, and other cities across Ohio adopt new technologies and maintain total security. If your business needs help mitigating cybersecurity and compliance threats, contact us anytime at [email protected] or (614) 389-4102. We look forward to speaking with you!