Beyond the Tech: The Real Benefits of Human Risk Management

Right-Hand’s Human Risk Management Essentials - Chapter 8

In previous chapters, we’ve explored the core components of HRM, its integration with your security tech stack, and the differences between HRM and traditional Security Awareness Training (SAT). Now, let’s dive into the real benefits of HRM.

Human Risk Management not only improves engagement and reduces human risk but also strengthens your organization’s overall security posture.

With tailored learning and real-time insights, HRM empowers every user to actively contribute to a safer environment, making it a must-have in today’s threat landscape.

What Are Security Leaders Looking for in HRM?

HRM provides tangible benefits that align with what security leaders are seeking in a modern cybersecurity approach. Let’s break down some of the key benefits that make HRM a game-changer:

1. Gain Deeper Understanding of Human Risk - By integrating HRM solutions with existing security tools, security leaders can identify and measure a broader set of risky behaviors as they happen. Unlike traditional training outcomes or simulations, HRM captures real-time data, providing a more accurate picture of human risk within the organization.
2. Actionable Insights on Risk Profiles - HRM offers deeper, actionable insights into how human risk affects everything from cyber insurance premiums to technology decisions and SOC alert management. This measurable human behavior data allows organizations to make informed decisions, refine strategies, and better manage their security posture.
3. Optimized Policy Application and Review - HRM enables CISOs to use real-time interventions and learning nudges to adapt and improve security policies over time. As threats, company culture, and other factors evolve, HRM helps create a dynamic and responsive approach to policy management that traditional methods can’t match.

The Need for HRM in Today’s Cybersecurity Landscape

Did you know that 74% of cybersecurity breaches are due to human error? Even with advanced technology, it’s human actions that often open the door to vulnerabilities. Picture this: A CISO invests in top-tier cybersecurity systems only to have them compromised when an employee clicks on a phishing email. It’s a common scenario that highlights the critical need for HRM—an approach that prioritizes human behavior alongside technological defenses.

HRM addresses these challenges by fostering a security culture where every user understands their role in protecting the organization.

With HRM, tailored training goes beyond checking compliance boxes; it actively engages users and drives meaningful behavior change.

Why HRM Matters

Today’s businesses need to manage human cyber risk not just to prevent breaches but to build a resilient security culture. HRM’s benefits extend beyond individual behavior change to provide insights that impact the broader organization:

• Proactive Threat Detection: Employees trained under HRM anticipate risks and respond appropriately, reducing the chances of successful social engineering attacks.
• Empowered Workforce: With relevant, tailored training, employees are equipped to recognize and react to threats, making them an active part of the security solution.
• Continuous Learning: HRM’s adaptive training keeps employees informed about evolving threats, fostering a cycle of continuous improvement and vigilance.
• Decreased Security Alerts: The more risk-aware your employees are, the fewer alerts they generate, reducing the strain on SOC teams and allowing them to focus on high-value activities.

What’s Next?

In the next chapter, we’ll dive into why it’s time to move away from costly and ineffective Security Awareness Programs. We’ll explore how HRM offers a smarter, more impactful alternative that addresses the real challenges of today’s threat landscape.

Follow us on LinkedIn and visit www.right-hand.ai to continue your journey with us.

Want to know more?

The Future is Now: Introducing Human Risk Management - By Jinan Bulge, VP, Principal Analyst, Forrester

What is Human Risk Management - Our in-depth article on the subject

Forrester’s The Human Risk Management Solutions Landscape, Q1 2024, a comprehensive overview of the HRM Industry and 15 vendors. We’ve published a summary/analysis of the report.

Our comprehensive Human Risk Management vs Traditional Security Awareness Cheat Sheet.

Right-Hand’s Human Risk Management Essentials

This is the seventh of 10 daily articles where we'll use our expertise to explain HRM's basic concepts, and applications, and how to start with it to move from traditional Security Awareness programs to a more sophisticated and effective path.

If you want to follow the whole series, please make sure you follow us here on LinkedIn and visit us at www.right-hand.ai

Previous chapters

Chapter 1 - What is Human Risk Management (HRM)?

Chapter 2 - The Building Blocks of HRM

Chapter 3 - Metrics that Matter in Human Risk Management (HRM)

Chapter 4 - The Stakeholders in Human Risk Management (HRM)

Chapter 5 - The Human Risk Management (HRM) Game Plan

Chapter 6 - Human Risk Management vs. Traditional Security Awareness Training (SAT)

Chapter 7 - Human Risk Management and Your Security Stack: Better Together (and Here’s Why)