7 Rules Cyber Framework
The 7 Rules Cyber Framework helps you reduce risk, build resilience, and grow with confidence.
7 Rules Cyber Framework
Rule 1: Develop a Business Aligned Mindset
Cyber Security exists to enable business - not the other way around . To protect what matters, starts by understanding your organisation's key products, services and revenue drivers. This helps identity critcal assets (the "crown jewels") and apply the right level of security where it counts. Know what powers your business, then protect it. Business context also shapes your focus - confidentiality may take priority in IT, while ability is often critical in OT enviroment.
Rule 2: Recognise Cyber Security is a Risk Management Excercise
Cyber Security is about managing business risk - not just teaching threats. Controls must reflect the organisation's risk appetite and context. To engage leadership, speak in terms of risk and financial impact. Understanding key assets (from rule 1) helps focus your risk analysis on what truely matters. The goal: build a defensible, informed cyber risk quantification.
Rule 3: Measure It
Effective measurement is key to managing cybersecurity- but metrics must fit the audience. Operational state (like vulunerable counts) don't resonate the leadership, instead tie metrics to critical business systems and impact clearity. A good example "% of critical internet - facing apps patched on time " - especially if tied to something like a key payments platform. Strongs metrics balance both leading and lagging indicators - helping demostrate progress, risk and maturity in ways the matter.
Rule 4: Address the Human Factor
Cybersecurity isn't the just about system - it's about people. Most incidents stem from human factors, not technical failures. That's why effective cybersecurity is must focused on human behavior. Fear - based approaches don't work instead, align your security practices with business goals and personal motivation. Use technique like gamification leaderboards, and humor to drive positive engagement. Change is naturally resisted , but with clear communication and thoughful design, you can guide users towards secure habits and build the culture of cyber resilience.
Rule 5: Understand the Design and Execution of Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is not just a checklist of controls- it must align with the broader business and technology strategies, as well as the evolving threat landscape and compliance requirement. Security domain such as network defense, endpoint protection, identity and access management and other should not operate in silos. Instead, they must work cohesively within a well-defined enterprise security architecture and controls framework that guides their design, integration & execution. The strategic approach ensures that each security measures contributes meaningfully to overall risk reduction.
Rule 6: Master the Art of Differntiating Skills
Differentiating skills such as emotional intelligence, presenting actionable options succinctly, effective communication and storytelling play a vital role in building trust within an organisation and enabling professional excellence. Emotional intelligence plays an effective role where you can read the room and empathise with stakeholders regarding their concerns. Just presenting technical reports to a business audience will not get sufficient buy-in. This is where contextualising information in simple terms with a mindset of active listening can really help achieve the right outcome.
Rule 7: Build an Authentic Brand
Your security function should build a brand that is grounded in being a trusted advisor to the business. Ongoing effective engagement through various organisational channels and a pragmatic mindset will solidify your team’s brand. This will also help achieve executive buy-in and support for your initiatives to improve the security posture. Purposeful networking and actions to inform, educate and enable your organisation on various aspects of security considerations will put you in good stead. Ensure you celebrate and promote wins – no matter how small. Every win inspires confidence and is a step on the ongoing journey of cyber security improvement.