Why invest in a culture of security: Human Detectors

While computers excel at recognizing patterns in large datasets, the human brain has a remarkable ability to recognize when patterns break or something is out of place. This capability can be harnessed by security teams to establish an early detection system capable of identifying threats that technology may miss.

Organizations can develop a network of human detectors throughout their workforce by empowering employees to report unusual events. This outcome stems from cultivating a robust security culture. When employees feel positive about their employer, they demonstrate greater commitment to organizational protection. Leveraging this intrinsic motivation enables security teams to construct an early warning system.

Creating such a system requires sustained organizational investment in building a strong security culture. The network’s effectiveness directly depends on this foundational commitment.

Trust and Respect

For this network to function reliably, mutual respect and trust must exist between security teams and the broader organization. Security personnel should view all employees as security collaborators.

Management and security teams must embrace open dialogue about security matters. When organizations welcome these conversations, mutual respect grows, knowledge deepens, and positive attitudes develop.

Organizations that successfully nurture their security culture gain reliable access to their human detector network and early warning capabilities.

Our Recommendation

Praxis Security Labs advises treating employees as security allies while building interdepartmental community. By encouraging anomaly reporting and facilitating learning through dialogue, organizations foster positive relationships and shared understanding. Community membership creates belonging and supports mutual growth.

The Praxis Process offers a structured framework for managing change and improving culture through seven iterative steps.

This represents the third installment in a series exploring security culture investments, following discussions of resilience and adaptability.