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Everyone understands the importance of security and how it must be integrated into every aspect of an organization's operations. A quick look at the news, shows the details of the day to day's data breach connected to an application security flaw. If you walk over to the Information Security department, you'll hear about the new employee blunder that resulted in data loss. Security is common and mainstream, but the security culture has not kept pace with the threat environment.

Why is it important for a company to have a security culture?

The major answer is something that we all know deep down. Humans are often the weakest link of any scheme. Humans, not machines, are the primary beneficiaries of security culture. The machines carry out our instructions to the letter. The problem is that humans click on the information they receive in email and believe everything they are told. Humans need a system to understand what is required for protection. Humans in your company, on the whole, want to do the right thing; they need to be told how.

Fortunately, no matter where a company falls on the security culture continuum, some steps can improve the culture.

1. Instill the belief that everybody has a right to protection.

Many companies assume that security is the responsibility of the security department. A long-term security culture necessitates the involvement of everybody in the company. All must have the impression that they are a security guard. There is a culture of protection for all. Everyone, from the executive staff to the lobby ambassadors, is responsible for security. Everyone has a stake in the security solution and culture of the business from the property security man, the information security personnel down to the non-security staff of the organization, we all have a role to play in making sure our organization and data is safe.

2. Pay attention to awareness and beyond

The process of teaching your whole team the fundamentals of security is known as security awareness. Before asking them to consider the threats' depth, you must first level set each person's capacity to assess threats. Because of the methods used to deliver it, security knowledge has received a bad rap. In-person reviews and posters may be tedious, but they don't have to be. Incorporate some creativity into the public awareness campaigns.

There is a need for application security expertise in addition to general awareness. Application security awareness is for the organization's developers and testers. They could be part of the IT department or the engineering department in your business. The more advanced lessons that workers need to know to create safe products and services are taught in AppSec knowledge.

3. Get a secure development lifecycle if you don't already have one.

The secure development lifecycle (SDL) is the cornerstone of a long-term security culture. For each program or device update, an SDL is a procedure and activities your company agrees to follow. Security specifications, threat modeling, and security testing exercises are all part of it. SDL provides answers to the security culture's how-to questions. It's an example of a long-term security culture in motion.

4. Appreciate and honor those who do the right thing in terms of security.

Seek ways to compliment achievements. Offer someone a high-five or something more substantial when they complete the mandatory security awareness program. People would recall the security lesson that provided them with the money if given a simple cash reward.

They'll also be quick to tell coworkers that they got paid to learn, and those coworkers will hop right into the training. Stop being so cheap and count the expense if the thought of giving away $100 per employee makes you shiver. The return on investment from stopping only one data breach significantly outweighs the initial investment of $100.

The other side of reward is advancement in security. Provide promotion opportunities for team members to progress into a dedicated security position. Make security a career option for your employees. Put your money where your mouth is and do as you say. If you say, security is critical, back it up by creating opportunities for those who are passionate about it.

5. Build a security community

Understanding the various levels of security involvement within the organization: advocates, security conscious, and sponsors help create a security culture. People who are passionate about keeping things secure are known as security advocates such as information security professionals . These are the people in your society who are in charge. The security-aware are less enthusiastic, but they recognize that they must contribute to improving security. Sponsors are members of management who assist in determining the security course. Organize all of these individuals into a security-focused special interest community.

6. Make security enjoyable and interactive.

Last but not least, have some fun. For far too long, security has been synonymous with tedious training or someone who constantly says no. Build fun and commitment into every step of the process to develop a long-term security culture. If you have security experience, make sure it isn't just a dull voice over a PowerPoint presentation.

What kind of security culture do you have in your organization?

Every company, of course, has a security culture. They're either lying or ashamed to admit they have a poor security culture if they claim they don't. The good news is that every security culture can positively impact how a company handles security. However, cultural change takes time, so don't expect the staff to become pen-testing Ninjas who write secure code while sleeping overnight. You'll get there if you follow the right steps and have the right attitude.