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In the final session at our Lord’s event, a thought-provoking discussion took place on a question every leader should ask:
“Is your organisation’s culture strengthening your cybersecurity or undermining it?”
The debate explored a challenge that many businesses face today: even with the best technology, human behaviour remains the single biggest factor in security success or failure.
The Human Factor
Across industries, we’re seeing a tension between rapid digital change and human readiness. Artificial intelligence tools, automation, and new working models are reshaping how teams operate, but they’re also creating confusion, fear, and complacency.
Mark Chillingworth, Digital Leadership Writer, shared a story from a recent discussion with major banks: as AI becomes more integrated into their workflows, some employees fear they may soon be replaced. That fear can lead to disengagement - people becoming less careful, less motivated, and more likely to make critical mistakes like clicking a phishing link or reusing a password.
As one panellist put it, “Culture is what you tolerate. Leadership determines whether people embrace change or fear it.”
Technology Alone Isn’t Enough
At Intergence, we often see organisations that have invested heavily in security tools, from endpoint protection to managed detection and response, but haven’t built the culture to support them.
Without clear communication, shared responsibility, and leadership engagement, even the most advanced systems can’t compensate for human error.
That’s why cybersecurity culture must start at the top:
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Leaders set the tone by treating security as everyone’s responsibility.
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Training should empower, not frighten, staff. Real-world examples and simulations make security relevant and actionable.
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Transparency matters - people are more likely to follow policies they understand.
Building a Culture of Resilience
True resilience isn’t just about reacting to threats, it’s about creating an environment where people feel confident, informed, and part of the defence.
A healthy cyber culture looks like this:
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Teams report suspicious activity without fear of blame.
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Employees understand why controls exist, not just how to follow them.
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Security is embedded into everyday decision-making, not bolted on as an afterthought.
When those values are in place, organisations don’t just protect themselves, they build trust with customers, partners, and regulators.
The Leadership Imperative
As technology evolves, so must leadership.
The organisations that thrive will be those that treat cybersecurity not as a technical issue, but as a people issue - one rooted in trust, awareness, and shared accountability.
At Intergence, we help organisations develop both the technology and the culture that underpin long-term digital resilience.
Because getting IT right isn’t just about systems — it’s about people.
If you want to get in touch with us about your security posture, call us on 01223 800530 or go to our website at www.intergence.com.