The deadline for nominations for the Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards 2023 is quickly approaching. In an interview with Christine Gordon-Bennett, Manager Cybersecurity Awareness at Nedbank and last year’s winner of the Wellbeing Advocate Award, she emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity leaders taking a stance on wellbeing.
Gordon-Bennett explains that leaders must recognize the pressures that employees have been and continue to be under. Factors such as remote working, financial difficulties, crime, power shortages, and extreme weather conditions have all contributed to the wellbeing and mental health of employees. When individuals are stressed, they are less likely to think clearly and can easily make mistakes. By acknowledging and addressing the challenges employees face, leaders can gain their trust and influence their behavior positively. Educating employees about the tactics used by fraudsters, such as social engineering, can help them understand why mistakes happen and how to avoid falling victim to scams.
Furthermore, when an organization shows that it values the wellbeing of its employees, it can lead to increased levels of engagement. This, in turn, allows leaders to effectively guide their teams towards a safer online environment.
Since winning the Wellbeing Advocate Award, Gordon-Bennett has not ceased her efforts in championing wellbeing. She has gone above and beyond in assisting her peers and spreading awareness in the industry. Some of her initiatives include setting up roadshows and face-to-face interactions with employees, hosting webinars with external experts, discussing healthy coping mechanisms for stress and burnout, offering video content for easy access, and introducing a wellbeing and productivity app called The Zensory for employee use.
To become a successful wellbeing advocate, Gordon-Bennett believes that passion for cybersecurity and understanding what motivates people are crucial. It is also essential to explore alternative methods of teaching and engaging staff to foster behavioral change in their online practices.
When asked for advice on where organizations should start, Gordon-Bennett provides three tips. First, engage with the HR department to collaborate on incorporating wellbeing messaging or piggybacking off existing campaigns. Second, secure buy-in from executives to demonstrate top-level support. Finally, foster a relationship with the Communications and Marketing teams to ensure adequate promotion and visibility for wellbeing initiatives.
The nominations for this year’s Unsung Heroes Awards will close on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at 5 pm BST. Nominations can be submitted through the official website. Gordon-Bennett encourages the nomination of Wellness Advocates, as the combination of cybersecurity and wellbeing is crucial, and those implementing positive shifts in culture deserve recognition.
For more information on the award categories, interested individuals can visit the Unsung Heroes Awards website.