You're at odds with IT teams over network security education. How do you find common ground?

1 Bridge Gaps

When there's a disconnect between you and IT teams regarding network security education, the first step is to bridge the knowledge gap. Understand that IT professionals often prioritize immediate technical issues over long-term educational strategies. To find common ground, acknowledge the daily pressures they face and propose integrating security education as a tool that can help alleviate future burdens. Highlight how a well-informed team can become more efficient at identifying and mitigating risks, ultimately reducing the workload and stress associated with managing security incidents.

3 Align Objectives

One of the most effective ways to reconcile differences is to align your objectives with those of the IT team. They are likely focused on system uptime, resource optimization, and incident response times. Show them how network security education can support these goals by reducing the likelihood of security breaches that cause downtime, drain resources, and demand immediate and often complex responses. This shared vision can foster a collaborative environment where education is seen as a critical component of the IT strategy.

4 Offer Solutions

Rather than just highlighting the problem, offer concrete solutions to integrate network security education into the IT team's workflow. Suggest manageable and scalable training modules that can be completed in short sessions, minimizing disruption to their daily tasks. Recommend engaging formats like interactive simulations or gamified learning that can make education more appealing. By presenting practical and appealing educational tools, you demonstrate a commitment to working with the IT team rather than imposing additional burdens.

5 Measure Impact

To convince IT teams of the value of network security education, it's important to measure and communicate its impact. Propose setting up metrics that track improvements in security practices and reductions in incidents related to human error. By establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as phishing detection rates or adherence to security protocols, you can provide tangible evidence of how education benefits the organization's security posture. This data-driven approach can help convert skeptics into advocates for ongoing education.

6 Foster Culture

Ultimately, cultivating a culture of security within the organization is a collective effort that goes beyond any single team. Encourage IT teams to become champions of network security by recognizing and rewarding their engagement in educational initiatives. Share success stories where knowledge gained from training prevented a security threat or improved response times. When IT staff see the positive outcomes of their learning, they're more likely to embrace education as an integral part of their professional development.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?