When executives talk about “cybersecurity,” they often refer to tools, compliance frameworks, or risk management plans. But those aren’t the first things that attackers exploit.
The real entry point is human.
The majority of incidents today begin with basic human errors: someone clicks a phishing link, reuses a weak password, or sends sensitive data over the wrong channel. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involve the human element.
For a CISO, this shifts the focus. It’s not just about platforms and controls — it’s about shaping how people act, decide, and respond in real-world situations. And that means it’s about culture.
It is always said that “the human element is the weakest link in the security eco system” which is completely true.
The majority of cyber-attacks and breaches materialized because of ignorance of users.
A culture of cyber security awareness, if done properly, is an effective tool to empower employees and community to recognize and respond to cyber threats, consequently prevent breaches, reduce risk and protect data.
Abdulrahman Al-Nimari, VP, Cyber Security
Why cybersecurity awareness belongs at the top of the CISO roadmap
Security culture doesn’t emerge by chance, it’s built deliberately, with long-term impact in mind. Here’s why it should be central to every CISO’s strategy:
1. Human error remains the leading risk vector
In the same Verizon report, phishing continues to be one of the top initial access vectors. Employees still fall for fraudulent emails, click unsafe links, or use weak authentication methods.
CISO leadership here means addressing these behaviors head-on through clear education, continuous training, and tools that reinforce best practices.
2. Regulations require more than written policies
With GDPR, HIPAA, and local regulations across MENA, DACH, and APAC tightening, compliance, cybersecurity is no longer IT’s burden alone.
Employees who don’t understand their data-handling responsibilities create real exposure. A CISO’s role is to translate policy into practice, clearly explaining and educating others about its importance.
3. Reputational damage is real and hard to reverse
A single breach can erase years of brand-building.
By building a cybersecurity-aware culture, CISOs empower employees to act as proactive defenders making security part of how the organization operates, not just how it reacts.
4. Security must integrate with business
Today, the role of the CISO has evolved. It’s no longer limited to overseeing technical controls or managing incidents. The CISO now acts as a bridge between security operations and executive leadership, helping the organization understand why cybersecurity matters at every level.
From budget planning to product strategy, security needs to be part of the conversation and it’s the CISO’s responsibility to ensure that happens. Explaining risks in business terms, aligning protection with growth, and showing how awareness reduces friction — this is the new core of cybersecurity leadership.
When CISOs integrate awareness into planning, onboarding, and daily workflows, they reduce friction and increase engagement, making cybersecurity a shared responsibility
5. Fast response depends on open communication
In companies with a strong culture, employees report suspicious behavior early. They don’t hide mistakes, they escalate them.
This accelerates response time and reduces damage. CISO best practice here is to build open communication and continuous feedback into incident response protocols.
6. The threat landscape evolves constantly
Cybersecurity isn’t static. Neither should awareness be.
Attackers today move faster, and with AI, the barrier to launching sophisticated attacks is lower than ever. Generative tools make it easy to craft convincing phishing messages, automate reconnaissance, or even simulate legitimate user behavior — all by typing the right prompt.
This makes regular, structured learning a necessary part of staying secure. Not just a best practice, but a critical defense layer. Integrating ongoing training, role-specific guidance, and cross-department collaboration ensures that teams stay informed and alert. Not once a year, but continuously.
The more adaptable your people, the harder it is for attackers to succeed, even when their tools get smarter.
7. Security decisions go beyond IT
From HR to finance, from developers to execs — who is responsible for information security? The answer: everyone.
But it’s the CISO who sets the tone and builds the structures that make this possible.
Awareness isn’t just education. It’s strategic leadership.
Whether you’re a seasoned CISO or defining your first CISO roadmap, the question isn’t whether to build a cybersecurity-aware culture. It’s how soon you can start.
Culture is what turns security from a technical function into an organizational habit.
And while platforms like Axidian Access, Axidian Privilege, Axidian Shield, and Axidian CertiFlow give you the controls to manage identity and access, it’s the people who decide whether those controls are used or bypassed.
Before you think about architectures and response times, think about how well your teams understand the risks they face and the role they play in defending against them. And the only reliable way to achieve that is through consistent awareness, communication, and education.
