“Amusement will outcompete information, and spectacle will outcompete arguments.”
This observation, from Chris Hayes’ book The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource cuts to the heart of a growing challenge in every domain of modern society. Whether it’s politics, media, or cybersecurity, the ability to seize attention now often outweighs the value of truth. And in a world drowning in distractions, the cybersecurity industry finds itself in an uphill battle—not just against attackers but against public indifference and misinformation.
For cybersecurity leaders, this raises a pivotal question: How do we rise above the chaos and deliver a message that resonates, influences, and inspires? In this blog, that’s what I’ll be diving deep into.
The Cyber Awareness Gap
Security experts have always championed awareness as the bedrock of defence. It’s why we train employees, run phishing simulations, and issue compliance mandates. But there’s an uncomfortable reality we don’t always address directly: awareness doesn’t always lead to action.
The truth is that cybersecurity messaging often struggles for attention in a competitive environment. To many, it seems complex, unengaging, or disconnected from daily priorities. Until an organisation suffers a breach, cybersecurity risks remain abstract and low on the agenda.
This challenge is compounded by misinformation. Sensationalist headlines and oversimplified narratives frequently eclipse nuanced discussions. We see it everywhere:
- Stories exaggerating the capabilities of “unhackable” AI or mythic lone hackers.
- Oversold solutions that promise a silver bullet to solve every security issue.
- The dramatization of cyber incidents as isolated criminal masterstrokes rather than systemic failures.
Hackers excel at exploiting human behaviour and weak protocols, yet these subtleties rarely make it to the forefront of public discourse. The focus is often on shock value, leaving organisations both misinformed and underprepared. For C-level leaders, this isn’t just a failure to communicate; it’s a business risk.
Cybersecurity and the Politics of Fear
The challenge doesn’t stop at awareness. Cybersecurity is increasingly weaponised in political and regulatory contexts, creating confusion and undermining solutions that could enhance resilience. This politicization creates an environment where progress stalls and meaningful conversations are replaced by polarising debates. The consequences are substantial:
- Reactive regulations often rush into effect after a high-profile incident, prioritising optics over operational effectiveness.
- Partisan divides undermine uniformity and consensus, with solutions judged more by political affiliation than merit.
- Cyberwar as theater. Geopolitical actors weaponize cybersecurity, prioritising influence over protection.
This landscape traps organisations in a cycle of compliance-driven security, adding costs without the corresponding benefits of meaningful risk mitigation. Instead of fostering a unified effort to combat threats, the industry must often contend with fragmented policies and competing priorities.
Leadership in a World of Noise
Cutting through this noise requires leadership. For executives, cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue delegated to IT or security managers. It’s a strategic imperative that spans the entire organization. And in a world that often prioritizes spectacle over substance, leadership must embody trust, clarity, and action.
Here’s how C-suite leaders can rise to the occasion:
- Clarity Over Chaos – Security leaders must resist the temptation to escalate drama for attention. Sensationalism breeds fear, not trust. Instead, focus on delivering insights that are compelling and actionable. For executives, clarity in communication isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity for influencing stakeholders effectively.
- Build and Maintain Trust – Trust is the currency of cybersecurity. Internally, employees are more likely to engage with and follow security practices when they feel respected and informed. Externally, robust communication fosters confidence among clients and partners, demonstrating that your organization prioritizes resilience and transparency.
- Connect Cybersecurity to People – People are central to every cyber incident. Mistakes, like clicking on a phishing link, or oversights, like weak password maintenance, often take center stage. By humanising cybersecurity, focusing on the impact on employees, customers, and communities, leaders can make risks relatable without resorting to fear tactics.
- Tailor Strategies – One-size-fits-all approaches to cybersecurity education don’t work. Different departments and roles face unique risks. Effective training must reflect this reality, whether it’s adapting modules for financial teams, tailoring executive briefings, or gamifying lessons for higher engagement.
Reclaiming Attention with Meaningful Action
While the challenges are significant, they’re far from insurmountable. To reclaim the narrative and drive real change, security leaders can implement strategies that are both proactive and impactful. Here’s how:
1. Move from Awareness to Action
Awareness campaigns often fall short because they stop at education. The goal isn’t just to inform but to instil behavioural change. By shifting toward adaptive learning methods, such as role-specific training and real-time nudges, we can embed security practices into the flow of work.
For instance, phishing simulations or MFA reminders delivered in context are far more effective than annual compliance exercises. Platforms like OutThink, the platform I proudly represent as an advisor and brand ambassador, illustrate the value of turning security training into a dynamic, continuous and adaptive process.
2. Communicate with Precision
Executives need to demand better communication from their cybersecurity teams. It’s not about oversimplifying; it’s about finding the right balance so even the most complex issues are understood by non-specialists. Think vivid analogies, relatable examples, and a focus on business impact.
3. Advocate for Smarter Regulation
Policy should prioritize resilience over checkbox compliance. Leaders need to shape discussions with lawmakers, offering practical insights into how policies play out in the real world. Industry-driven solutions often perform better because they leverage firsthand experience. By uniting behind clear, outcome-focused frameworks, we can deter fragmented policies that hinder progress.
4. Build Collaborative Ecosystems
Cybersecurity isn’t a problem any one organisation, industry, or government can solve alone. Effective leaders work to bridge gaps between private companies, regulators, and international partners to foster cooperation and proactive defence.
Trust, Truth, and the Future of Cybersecurity
The world may prize spectacle, but cybersecurity leadership demands substance. It requires cutting through the static, anchoring every decision in truth, and leading with the clear purpose of building trust. For forward-looking executives, this is the path to not only protecting their own organizations but also restoring integrity to the broader cybersecurity dialogue.
The key isn’t to feed into the noise but to rise above it. By doing so, we ensure not just the protection of networks and data but the preservation of an industry’s responsibility to lead with integrity. The future of cybersecurity isn’t just about combating threats; it’s about shaping conversations that matter. And as leaders, the responsibility begins with us.
Now I want to hear from you
If you are a CISO and want to increase trust and lead with clarity, but need help, let’s talk. Drop me a message on LinkedIn or book a call.
If you want to speak to me about working with you, as a brand to help you raise awareness, engagement and trust—book a call here.
