The Human Element in Risk-Based Security: Building a Culture of Cyber Resilience

No amount of money or technology can protect an organization from cybersecurity threats if the human element is overlooked. People remain one of the most significant risk factors in security, whether through accidental errors, susceptibility to social engineering, or intentional insider threats. As phishing attacks and sophisticated cyber schemes continue to rise, organizations must go beyond technical defenses and cultivate a security-conscious workforce.

This article discusses the critical role of human behavior in risk-based security and provides actionable strategies for fostering a culture where every employee plays an active role in identifying and mitigating threats.

The Prevalence of Human Error in Data Breaches

A 2024 study revealed that 95% of data breaches were tied to human mistakes, including insider threats, credential misuse, and user-driven errors.  Similarly, a Stanford University study found that approximately 88% of all data breaches are caused by employee errors.  Technology advances, but the human element of an organization will always be the most critical strength or vulnerability to a risk-based security approach. This blog will cover strategic approaches to give power back to your organization.

How to Build Your Culture of Cyber Resilience

If you want to traverse a constantly shifting cyber landscape filled with threats and vulnerabilities from one day to the next, you need a deliberate strategy that integrates human behavior into your risk-based framework. Here are five of our top recommendations:

1. Security Awareness Training
   Continuous education is paramount in equipping employees with the knowledge to identify and counteract cyber threats. Regular training sessions should cover topics such as recognizing phishing attempts, securing sensitive data, and understanding individual roles in maintaining cybersecurity. Interactive methods, such as gamification and real-world simulations, have been shown to enhance engagement and retention. For instance, incorporating phishing simulations can significantly improve employees’ ability to detect and avoid malicious emails by more than doubling their retention rates.
2. Empowering Employees to Report Risks
   Establishing a non-punitive environment where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious activities is crucial. Encouraging prompt reporting without fear of repercussions fosters a proactive security culture. Implementing clear reporting mechanisms and ensuring that all reports are taken seriously and acted upon can lead to early detection and mitigation of potential threats. This approach enhances security and promotes a sense of shared responsibility among staff.
3. Leadership Involvement
   Leadership commitment is fundamental in embedding cybersecurity into the organizational ethos. Leaders must exemplify security-first mindsets by prioritizing cybersecurity in decision-making processes and modeling best practices. For example, Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative (SFI), launched in November 2023, underscores the impact of leadership in transforming security culture. By integrating security objectives into employee performance reviews and dedicating substantial resources to cybersecurity, Microsoft has set a precedent for leadership-driven security enhancement.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
   Cybersecurity should be a collective endeavor that transcends departmental boundaries. Involving various departments, such as human resources, legal, and operations, ensures that security considerations are integrated across the organization. This collaboration aligns security initiatives with business objectives and fosters a holistic approach to risk management. For instance, involving legal teams in cybersecurity planning can enhance compliance with regulations and improve incident response strategies.
5. Testing Your Team With Internal Simulations
   It’s far better to discover who might click on a suspicious email through an internal test than to find out the hard way during a real attack. Running phishing simulations or tabletop exercises can help pinpoint employees who are more susceptible to social engineering tactics—so you can provide them with targeted, additional training. These proactive tests allow you to measure team readiness, reinforce security awareness, and strengthen your organization’s overall resilience before real-world consequences are on the line.
6. Leveraging Technology to Reduce Human Error
   While employee awareness is crucial, technology can help catch what people miss. AI-driven tools are increasingly effective at detecting phishing emails, malicious attachments, and abnormal behavior patterns before they reach the end user. By combining user education with intelligent, proactive security tools, you can dramatically reduce the risk of human error—still the leading cause of most breaches. Investing in these technologies enables your team to focus on their roles while knowing that advanced systems are working behind the scenes to detect and stop threats before they spread.
7. Continuous Improvement and Adaptation
   The dynamic nature of cyber threats necessitates an ongoing commitment to improvement. Organizations should regularly assess and update their security policies, conduct drills to simulate potential attacks and stay informed about emerging threats. The international summit on cybersecurity held in Britain in September 2024 highlighted the importance of global cooperation in enhancing cyber resilience. Participating in international collaborations and summits can provide valuable insights and facilitate the sharing of best practices.

Highly Effective Security Cultures in the Real World

Several companies have exemplified this by integrating comprehensive strategies emphasizing employee engagement and leadership support.

Fostering a Comprehensive Security Culture

Google has developed an extensive security culture that permeates the entire organization. Beyond its dedicated security team, Google provides mandatory security training for all employees, ensuring they are equipped to identify and respond to potential threats. The company also maintains a privacy team and internal audit specialists to oversee compliance and address vulnerabilities. This holistic approach underscores the importance of integrating security into every facet of the organization, promoting a culture where security is a shared responsibility.

Enhancing Awareness through Simulated Phishing

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) conducted an internal phishing simulation to assess officers’ susceptibility to email scams. The exercise involved sending emails about a fictitious pay rise to evaluate responses. While the timing during pay negotiations was contentious, the initiative aimed to educate staff on cybersecurity risks, highlighting the importance of vigilance against phishing attempts.  

Integrating Security into Corporate Governance

Delta Air Lines, Yahoo, and American Express all have embedded cybersecurity into their corporate governance frameworks, ensuring clear ownership and accountability across the organizations. This approach aligns cybersecurity efforts with the company’s business objectives, fostering a culture where security is integral to operations. By prioritizing cybersecurity at the governance level, they promote a culture where all employees understand the importance of protecting sensitive data and systems.

Measuring the Impact of a Security-First Culture

Establishing a security-first culture is crucial for organizations aiming to protect their assets and maintain stakeholder trust. To evaluate the effectiveness of such a culture, it’s essential to implement measurable outcomes. Key metrics include but are not limited to things like:

Reduced Phishing Click Rates

A key indicator of a successful security culture is a measurable decrease in employees falling for phishing attempts. Organizations that implement comprehensive security awareness training often observe significant reductions in phishing susceptibility, reflecting heightened employee vigilance and the effectiveness of training programs.

Industry Statistics:

• Initial Susceptibility: Studies have shown that, on average, 32% of untrained employees are likely to click on phishing emails.
• Post-Training Improvement: After 90 days of regular security awareness training, this rate dropped to 18%, indicating a substantial improvement in recognizing and avoiding phishing attempts.
• Long-Term Benefits: With ongoing training over a year, the susceptibility rate further decreased to 5%, demonstrating the lasting impact of continuous education.

In the Real World:

• KnowBe4’s Findings: A study by KnowBe4 revealed that organizations implementing regular security awareness training (users who were given both monthly or more frequent security awareness training and weekly or more frequent phishing simulated tests) had their Phish-prone percentage rate improve by 96%.

Faster Incident Response Times

The speed at which an organization detects and responds to security incidents is critical. A mature security culture ensures employees are well-prepared to act promptly, minimizing potential damage. Metrics such as mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) are commonly used to assess this aspect. Organizations with robust security awareness programs often experience reduced MTTD and MTTR, indicating a proactive stance against threats.

Enhanced Employee Reporting

An increase in employee-reported security incidents indicates a robust security culture, reflecting heightened awareness and proactive engagement with organizational protocols. For instance, after experiencing a significant data breach in 2013, Yahoo implemented measures to encourage a culture of reporting. This initiative created an environment where employees felt comfortable reporting potential security incidents or concerns, enhancing the company’s ability to detect and respond to cyber threats more effectively.  

Strengthening Your Security from Within

A strong cybersecurity strategy is only as effective as the people behind it. While technology and policies play a crucial role, the human element often determines whether security measures succeed or fail. By fostering a culture of cyber resilience—where every employee is educated, engaged, and accountable—organizations can significantly reduce risk and strengthen their overall security posture.

VikingCloud provides tools and expertise to help organizations bridge the gap between security policies and human behavior. From tailored risk assessments to comprehensive awareness training, VikingCloud empowers organizations to build a workforce that actively contributes to cybersecurity resilience. By investing in a security-first culture, businesses can protect their assets, maintain compliance, and stay ahead of threats as best possible.

For more insights into cybersecurity best practices and how our solutions can support your business, reach out to us through our Contact Us page. Our team is here to help!