5 Tips for Improving Cyber Risk Communication for Board-Level Budget Approvals
For cyber professionals, one of the biggest obstacles in getting budget or sales approvals is cyber risk communication. Often, communicating risks isn’t done in a language that decision-makers understand, resulting in delayed approvals or an uninterested audience.
To help CISOs and cyber professionals, here are 5 things to do to improve cyber risk communication to have a better sales process and get faster approvals.
1. Avoid Using Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (F.U.D.)
When trying to sell anything, marketers always focus on the benefits of that product. The same goes for cyber risk communication. We already know that cyber risks are the dangers that can affect the business, but highlighting fear, uncertainty, and doubt are the least effective ways to get approval or convince decision-makers.
Using the negative impact of risks doesn’t show the importance of the cybersecurity products you’re trying to have approved, especially if you cite other companies’ mistakes that have no direct relevance to the business. So instead of using F.U.D., it’s better to talk about how the solution benefits the business and how it reduces or manages the current risks.
2. Link Cybersecurity to the Business
Going back to the first point, knowing how the business works and how it generates revenue is key in getting approval. Once you know the company’s money-maker, it will be easy to link how cybersecurity can protect that golden goose.
The main purpose of cybersecurity is to protect the business and its ability to generate revenue. By linking the two, it allows decision-makers to see cybersecurity as a protective shield and not just as a tool to make sure the computers are working properly.
3. Use Financial Figures to Improve Cyber Risk Communication
One of the easiest ways to link cybersecurity to the business is to use financial figures. Talking about revenue, losses, gains, market share, and other significant financial elements is the language decision-makers understand.
You can do this by quantifying the existing risks the business has. Just by saying how much money can be lost in a day because of unmitigated risks will already hit the mark. Showing how much can be lost without cybersecurity makes it easier for them to approve the budget needed to make sure that the revenue loss won’t happen.
4. Involve Other Departments
IT and cybersecurity impact every aspect of the business from operations to marketing. Technology has expanded its reach that it contributes to the success and profitability of a business. This is where collaborating with other departments is critical.
For example, websites are mainly used for marketing and sales purposes. Technology powers it and cybersecurity ensures the site is protected from different threats. By working together, cyber and marketing can prevent hackers from taking over the site and cause marketing, customer service, and brand image problems, all of which can have a severe impact on the brand’s value and stock price.
5. Know Your Audience and the Business
In any presentation, sales or otherwise, knowing your audience is the first and most important order of business. In terms of cyber risk communication, it’s important to know the different parts of the business that can be affected by these risks.
By knowing your audience and how the business works, you’ll have a better idea of how to speak their language, connecting with them, and capturing their interest. By getting one foot into the door, you have a good start on getting your budget approved.
Improve cyber risk communication by using Boardish to quantify risks and the impact of your cybersecurity solution.