Replacing fear with empathy in cybersecurity communication

In the cybersecurity field, communication strategies will only take you as far as your understanding of human nature extends. Our guest today is Melanie Ensign, founder and CEO of Discernible, which helps organizations overcome communication challenges in cybersecurity and privacy. She is also the press lead for DEF CON, the biggest hacker conference in the world. With a keen focus on what really makes communication an effective process that supports cybersecurity and privacy initiatives in organizations, Melanie is one of the best people to pinpoint what needs to change to make meaningful progress. For example, FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) has been widely used to make people pay more attention to cybersecurity. While it’s effective in the short run, it rarely keeps the audience motivated enough to continuously embrace habits that increase their safety.On the other hand, when you choose to diligently use empathy in communicating solutions to cyberthreats and privacy issues, it keeps the audience focused on the real problems. It helps people easily relate to solutions and recommendations because they understand the “why” behind them.In this episode, you’ll learn about how Melanie helps clients remain empathetic when dealing with complex cybersecurity challenges. She’ll also share with us an example of how empathy works in real life to protect their users.  Lastly, you’ll learn about where companies fail when promoting cybersecurity and how they can change that.In this episode, you will learn:What cybersecurity and shark conservation have in common (05:03)How Melanie helps her clients remain empathetic when dealing with complex challenges (09:09)Her personal experience with companies not practicing empathy (18:17)Recommendations on how to use empathy and improve the state of cybersecurity (20:47)Resources: The Weakest Link in Security is FearAmygdalaDefconEnigma 2021The Practice:  Shipping Creative WorkConnect with Melanie:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterLet’s connect!WebsiteLinkedInTwitter