Communication is the key to any successful mission, especially in cybersecurity. As a cybersecurity professional, you have to be well-versed in information security and have the ability to use interpersonal skills to deal with sensitive issues. Good communication skills enable you to explain technical terms and make it easy for your clients to understand.
An estimated 88% of all data breaches are caused by an employee’s mistake. Communication issues can lead to loss of revenue and reputational damage. So, good and effective communication is critical to the long-term success of a cybersecurity professional or team. If you are a cybersecurity professional or want to become one, keep reading to learn tips on improving your communication skills.
Identify Your Audience
The first step to good communication is knowing your audience. Suppose you’re the head of cybersecurity for a major corporation and are speaking at an industry conference. In that scenario, it’s essential to use industry-specific jargon that will appeal to and be understood by other people in the same field. However, if you’re talking to a non-technical employee or client, you must use terminology that the average layperson will understand. When preparing for any talks about cybersecurity, think about who will be listening and what their needs might be as they listen.
Make the Topic Relevant
Always remember that your client’s priorities are not always identical to yours, which means that you have to find common ground to be able to make yourself relevant. Try understanding your client’s motivation and the problem you want to solve. It’s essential to make your message relevant by connecting it to their lives and business interests.
Use Familiar Terminology
You need to explain technical concepts to non-technical individuals if you want to be successful in the field of cybersecurity. When communicating with clients, it’s important to use familiar terminology. Avoid using jargon or acronyms that your audience can’t understand easily. Explain concepts using examples from everyday life by connecting analogies or metaphors whenever possible.
Use Visuals for Aid
Include visual aids in your presentation to assist the audience in comprehending what you are discussing. Try adding maps and other visual tools to help the audience understand the topic better. You can also make graphics and videos to explain technical terms that you think might be difficult to understand.
Maintain Mutual Respect and Understanding
When giving a presentation to your staff or clients, you need to have a degree of mutual respect and understanding with them. It will be tough to explain and deliver information meaningfully if you don’t respect or understand them. Try to strengthen the connection by being reliable and understanding. Don’t just talk; instead, listen to your audience to understand what they need.
Cybersecurity professionals are faced with a seemingly endless barrage of new security threats every day. In most cases, the best way to combat them is to educate clients and users on how they can protect themselves. Unfortunately, communicators in this field often face an uphill battle due to the sheer volume of information that needs to be communicated and how technical it is.
Computek College is here to help! Our expertise in training students in various fields can help you achieve your dreams. Read our blogs on technology to understand more about this field. Call us at 416-321-9911 today to learn about the courses we offer.