Security Culture: Stick vs Carrot

We all know that cyber security is crucial for any business to stay safe and secure in the digital world. But how do we ensure that everyone in the company knows the potential risks and actively works towards keeping the organisation safe? One way to do that is by building a strong company culture around cyber security awareness.

So, what’s this stick and carrot method you speak of? I’m not a donkey.

“Stick” methodology, in the context of building company cultures, refers to using negative consequences or punishments to deter bad behaviour. "Carrot" methods, on the other hand, involve offering rewards or incentives for good behaviour.

So, which method is better for building a company culture around security awareness? Well, it's a bit of a tricky one, because both methods have their pros and cons.

Stick Methods

The stick approach to building a secure culture involves using negative consequences to deter employees from engaging in risky behaviour. Examples include:

Carrot Methods

The carrot approach to building a cyber secure culture involves offering rewards or incentives for good behaviour and actively demonstrating the advantages of adopting good cyber hygiene (both at home and in the workplace). Examples of carrot methods include:

At the end of the day, both stick and carrot methods can be effective in building a culture around security awareness. The stick can be useful for enforcing important policies and deterring repeated bad behaviour, while dangling the carrot can be motivating and encouraging for employees. The trick is finding a balanced approach that combines both methods and avoids the downsides of each. It's ultimately about creating a culture where cyber security is seen as a shared responsibility, not just a set of rules to be followed begrudgingly.

By creating a positive and supportive work environment, providing fun engaging resources and training, and enforcing policies fairly and consistently, companies can build a strong security culture that protects their assets and encourages employee engagement.

Remember, building a company culture around cyber security awareness isn't a one-time event or a box to be checked. It's an ongoing process that requires constant attention and effort. But with the right mix of stick and carrot methods, you can create a culture that values cyber security, builds an army of cyber-savvy ninjas🥷🏼 and protects your company from potential threats.

GoldPhish educates end-users on the cyber threat and helps build more secure organisations with awareness training and simulated phishing

Get in touch for more information: info@goldphish.com