Building a Strong Cybersecurity Culture

Every organization has a culture—it reveals itself in how people behave, communicate, and make decisions. From the family you grew up in to the teams you work with, culture shapes what’s acceptable, what’s rewarded, and what gets overlooked. It forms slowly, but once there, it defines how things get done.

That’s why building a strong cybersecurity culture goes beyond tools and compliance checklists. It’s about people. It's about creating shared values and behaviors that make security not just a task but a mindset. Cybersecurity becomes part of the organization's DNA when employees, from interns to executives, understand their role in protecting the organization.

This matters now more than ever. Cyber threats aren't just more frequent—they’re more subtle, targeted, and damaging. And they don't always break in through the front door; they often slip in because someone clicked the wrong link, reused a password, or didn’t speak up when something looked off. That’s not just a security issue. That’s a culture issue. 

Cultural change starts at the top

Creating a robust cybersecurity culture begins with executive leadership. CEOs, board members, and CISOs must lead by example and demonstrate that cybersecurity is integral to their company's success. This goes beyond implementing technical solutions or adhering to compliance standards; it’s about embedding cybersecurity into your core values and daily practices.

When executives champion cybersecurity, despite the inconvenience it can sometimes cause them, employees are more likely to take it seriously. By fostering a top-down commitment, companies send a clear message that security is a priority, not an afterthought.

Why cybersecurity is a continuous risk

Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time problem to solve—it’s an evolving risk. As technology and cyberattack methods advance, so must the strategies used to protect digital assets. A company that treats cybersecurity as an ongoing risk can stay agile, adapt quickly to new threats, and avoid being caught off guard by evolving attack tactics. Instead of taking a reactive approach to incidents, they can anticipate potential risks and act proactively to mitigate them.

The role of employees in cybersecurity

While leadership plays a critical role in shaping cybersecurity culture, employees at every level must also be engaged. Building a cybersecurity culture requires involvement from all members of the organization. It’s not just about establishing protocols or investing in firewalls—it’s about ensuring every employee understands their role in maintaining a secure environment.

An effective way to engage employees is through continuous education. Regular cybersecurity training and awareness programs, such as phishing simulations and best practices for password management, are crucial in keeping employees informed and vigilant. These programs empower employees to recognize threats and take the necessary precautions to avoid them.

By ensuring that every employee is equipped with the knowledge to recognize and address potential risks, companies can leverage their entire workforce to strengthen their security posture. Employees become proactive participants in the organization’s defense strategy rather than passive recipients of security protocols.

The bottom-up approach to building cybersecurity culture

Although a top-down approach is crucial, bottom-up engagement is equally important. Empowering mid-level managers and department heads to lead cybersecurity initiatives within their teams ensures that security becomes a daily consideration for all employees. This bottom-up approach creates a sense of ownership and accountability across the organization.

At a healthcare organization our specialists assisted, department managers led monthly cybersecurity workshops for their teams. These sessions focused on practical issues like spotting phishing emails, reporting suspicious activity, and protecting sensitive patient data. Over time, this bottom-up approach led to a noticeable shift in the company’s culture. Employees felt more empowered to take responsibility for cybersecurity, reducing the risk of human error and improving overall security awareness.

Measuring success

To gauge the effectiveness of their cybersecurity culture, companies should develop metrics to track progress. These metrics can include:

• Phishing simulation success rates: How many employees successfully identify phishing attempts?
• Employee feedback: Do employees understand the company’s security policies and know how to follow them
• Security compliance: Are employees consistently adhering to best practices, like using strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication?

By tracking these key metrics, companies can measure the effectiveness of their cybersecurity programs and identify areas for improvement. This data can then inform future initiatives, helping to continually refine and strengthen the organization's cybersecurity culture.

A continuous commitment

Building a robust cybersecurity culture is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. The next steps? Leaders must lead from the front, discussing cybersecurity in their meetings and demonstrating their participation in ongoing cybersecurity education. Leaders need to ensure that every employee, at every level, understands the threats they face, the security policy they must comply with, and the responsibility they carry. By making cybersecurity a shared cultural identity, you build resilience from within.