If it wasn’t covering the Synnovis cyberattack that brought NHS patient testing to a standstill, the conversation shifted towards the impact of deepfakes that stole £multi-millions from companies and damaged the hard-earned reputations of companies in almost every sector.
As we look ahead to next year, the world of cybersecurity (and all of its component parts) will again be busy as new threats appear that could derail businesses from their well-set plans. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and more democratised to those who want to steal money or embarrass others, the role of communicators has never been more important. It’s time to embrace a proactive, strategic approach to cybersecurity communications that caters for internal and external audiences.
Let’s dive into the insights from some of the best cybersecurity communicators out there like Katy Gwilliam of Veracode, Susie Evershed of Secureworks, and Siria Nielsen Klijn of GTT, and explore what to watch out for in 2025.
Communicate Early, Often, and Simply
Katy Gwilliam from Veracode hits the nail on the head with her advice: communicate early, often, and simply. Imagine you’re in the middle of a cyber threat storm. The first step? Acknowledge the issue promptly. It’s like saying, “Yes, we see the storm, and here’s how we’re going to weather it.” Clear, frequent updates on the steps being taken to mitigate risks are crucial.
This approach not only helps in managing the immediate threat but also in maintaining stakeholder trust. Understand your stakeholders’ concerns and address them head-on. Don’t assume deep technical expertise with the audiences you are engaging with. Keep the tech jargon to a minimum and use relatable examples to explain your cybersecurity protocols. Finally, don’t forget to bring key stakeholders into the fold when developing a comprehensive crisis communications strategy if the worst happens. It’s all about alignment and assurance that are key to success when the storm is at its strongest.
Cutting Through the Noise and Share the Right Signals
Susie Evershed from Secureworks sheds light on a perpetual challenge in cybersecurity communications today: the overwhelming noise. Disinformation campaigns, misinformation, and hacktivism can make it feel like you’re navigating an ever-shifting minefield.
The solution? Ensure your information is accurate by cross-referencing multiple sources and consulting trusted experts. This helps cut through the noise and ensures that critical information reaches the right people. Looking internally, training your communication teams on the latest trends and threats keeps them sharp and ready to handle the fast-evolving landscape. And remember, think beyond the perimeters of your business – fostering strong collaborations with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders creates a unified front, enhancing our collective ability to communicate effectively. Cybersecurity influencers and thought leaders will play a vital role in disseminating information, raising awareness, and shaping public perception. These collaborations should be carefully curated to ensure alignment with organisational values and messaging.
The Role of Leadership in Cybersecurity Communications
Siria Nielsen Klijn from GTT underscores the vital role of communications in leadership, especially during times of crisis. As the growth of cyber threats continues to accelerate, communications professionals have a very important role to support their cybersecurity colleagues in growing understanding of its importance, as well as keeping up clear and frequent communications to assure business stakeholders and maintain trust.
As part of promoting a security-first culture, comms professionals can work with stakeholders to educate internal and external audiences about cyber threats, their potential to impact business operations in a variety of ways and how this is being mitigated. Everyday media monitoring and practice using Gen AI for brainstorming and inspiration makes communications professionals particularly well equipped to help their colleagues with anticipating and preparing for the many different cybersecurity questions they may need to address for stakeholder audiences.
Addressing the 2025 Market Theme of Cyber Resilience and Governance
With new data privacy and digital resilience that are either live or on the horizon such as NIS2 Directive, DORA, and the EU AI Act, cybersecurity communications will need to address these changes comprehensively. Cyber resilience will be a key theme in 2025. Communications will shift from a purely preventative stance to one that also emphasises resilience and recovery.
Organisations will need to communicate their incident response plans, disaster recovery strategies, and business continuity measures effectively. Clear and concise communication about compliance requirements and the steps organisations need to take to adhere to them will be essential. This will involve creating detailed guides, hosting informational webinars, and providing regular updates on regulatory changes.
Cybersecurity Culture Eats Innovation for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
The best technology can only go so far. From what we’ve heard above, industry leaders emphasise the need to build a strong cybersecurity culture within organisations will be a top priority. Communications will focus on fostering a culture of security awareness and responsibility. Regular training sessions, internal campaigns, and C-Level sponsors and recognition programs to reward good cybersecurity practices will be essential. The aim will be to embed cybersecurity into the organisational DNA, making it a fundamental aspect of the workplace culture.
In conclusion, cybersecurity communicators have an even more important role to play in 2025 as threats will continue to emerge. Success will be defined by a human-centric approach, where a strong focus is placed on proactive collaboration to create more resilience and a security-first culture. Organisations can effectively navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape and build a secure digital future. Buckle up, it’s going to be an interesting ride!
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