­
Beyond Awareness: Unveiling the Power of Habits in Cybersecurity By Bikash Barai and Jennifer Lawinski - All Articles - CISO Platform

Beyond%20Awareness%20Unveiling%20the%20Power%20of%20Habits%20in%20Cybersecurity.png?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

Greetings, esteemed participants of the RSA Conference, as we convene amidst the bustling nexus of cybersecurity discourse, it's paramount to recognize a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect of our collective security posture: human behavior. In an era saturated with awareness campaigns and regulatory mandates, the perennial question persists: why do individuals continue to engage in risky behaviors despite knowing the potential consequences? Join me on a journey beyond the realm of awareness as we delve into the intricate dynamics of human habits and their profound implications for cybersecurity.

 

 
 
Here is the verbatim discussion:
 
And what's going on here this week so why do you think your session is relevant in today's cyber security climate so um my talk is around human behavior and the interesting thing about uh my talk is that it's going to focus on something Beyond awareness I mean today as an industry we are trying to make everybody aware um what are the bad things what are the good things but then after a certain point of time people don't listen to us and we feel that we created all these security policies and everything and people don't listen to us but if you just pause for a moment and think we all know that going to the gym is good we all know that having those fries is bad but we still do it right so there's something Beyond awareness which kind of controls us and that's what I'm going to talk about I'm going to talk about how human habits how habits are formed.
 
 

Highlights:

Moving Beyond Awareness: Despite the fervent efforts of cybersecurity professionals to disseminate knowledge and best practices, the efficacy of traditional awareness campaigns inevitably wanes over time. Merely informing individuals of the dos and don'ts of cybersecurity fails to address the underlying mechanisms driving their behaviors. It's time to transcend the limitations of awareness and explore alternative avenues for fostering secure practices.

The Power of Habits: At the heart of human behavior lies the omnipotent force of habits, which exert a profound influence on our actions and decisions. Whether it's reaching for that tempting bag of fries despite knowing the health risks or succumbing to the allure of procrastination, habits dictate much of our daily conduct. By unraveling the mysteries of habit formation, we gain invaluable insights into the subconscious drivers of cybersecurity behaviors.

Understanding Habit Formation: Habits are not formed overnight but rather emerge through a cyclical process involving cues, routines, and rewards. Identifying the triggers that prompt undesirable behaviors, the routines they engender, and the rewards that reinforce them is essential for effecting meaningful change. By dissecting the anatomy of habits, we empower ourselves to intervene strategically and cultivate secure behaviors within our organizations.

Relevance in Today's Cybersecurity Climate: Against the backdrop of escalating cyber threats and evolving attack vectors, the imperative for robust cybersecurity practices has never been more pressing. However, the efficacy of conventional approaches reliant solely on awareness is diminishing. In this context, my session offers a timely intervention by spotlighting the transformative potential of habit-based strategies in bolstering organizational resilience against cyber threats.

 

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, it's imperative to recognize that knowledge alone is insufficient in mitigating risk. By transcending the confines of awareness and embracing the science of habits, we can catalyze a paradigm shift in our approach to cybersecurity. Let us harness the power of habits to instill secure behaviors seamlessly and subconsciously, thereby fortifying our defenses against the ever-present specter of cyber threats. Together, let us embark on this journey beyond awareness and unlock a new frontier of cybersecurity resilience.

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of CISO Platform to add comments!

Join CISO Platform

Join The Community Discussion

CISO Platform

A global community of 5K+ Senior IT Security executives and 40K+ subscribers with the vision of meaningful collaboration, knowledge, and intelligence sharing to fight the growing cyber security threats.

Join CISO Community Share Your Knowledge (Post A Blog)
 

 

 

CISO Platform Talks : Security FireSide Chat With A Top CISO or equivalent (Monthly)

  • Description:

    CISO Platform Talks: Security Fireside Chat With a Top CISO

    Join us for the CISOPlatform Fireside Chat, a power-packed 30-minute virtual conversation where we bring together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity to share strategic insights, real-world experiences, and emerging trends. This exclusive monthly session is designed for senior cybersecurity leaders looking to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

    We’ve had the privilege of…

  • Created by: Biswajit Banerjee
  • Tags: ciso, fireside chat

6 City Playbook Round Table Series (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata)

  • Description:

    Join us for an exclusive 6-city roundtable series across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata. Curated for top cybersecurity leaders, this series will spotlight proven strategies, real-world insights, and impactful playbooks from the industry’s best.

    Network with peers, exchange ideas, and contribute to shaping the Top 100 Security Playbooks of the year.

    Date : Sept 2025 - Oct 2025

    Venue: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune,…

  • Created by: Biswajit Banerjee

National Insider Risk Symposium, Washington DC, USA 2025

  • Description:

    We are excited to invite you to the 10th National Insider Risk Symposium, a premier forum bringing together leaders and experts from both the commercial and public sectors to address the evolving landscape of insider threats. CISOPlatform is a proud community partner for this event. 

    Event Details:
    Venue: National Housing Center, 1201 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
    Dates: September 17–18,…

  • Created by: Biswajit Banerjee
  • Tags: national insider risk symposium, ciso, cybersecurity events, usa events

CISO Platform: CISO 100 Awards & Future CISO Awards 2025 @ Atlanta, Georgia

  • Description:

    Nominate for the CISOPlatform CISO 100 Awards & Future CISO Awards - Recognizing Cybersecurity Leaders. Recommend someone you know deserving of this prestigious accolade....Nominate your colleague, mentor, someone you admire or yourself !

    CISO Platform is collaborating as a community partner with EC-Council’s Global CISO Forum, supporting initiatives such as the CISO Platform…

  • Created by: Biswajit Banerjee
  • Tags: ciso, usa, ciso award, nominate, atlanta