🏆 Security Culture Transformation

Security Champions Programme

Build a thriving network of security advocates who drive measurable behaviour change across your organisation

What Are Security Champions?

Trusted volunteers embedded within teams who bridge the gap between security and the business, driving cultural change from within

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Advocates & Influencers

Promote security awareness and best practices, making security accessible and relevant to day-to-day work

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Two-Way Bridge

Facilitate communication between security teams and business, ensuring initiatives are practical and context-appropriate

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Culture Carriers

Embody and spread positive security behaviours, building a security-conscious culture from within

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Change Agents

Drive measurable behaviour change by applying security knowledge in real-world scenarios

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First Responders

Provide frontline support for security questions, escalating when necessary whilst resolving many locally

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Force Multipliers

Dramatically increase the reach and impact of security teams by distributing responsibility

The Champions Lifecycle

A successful programme evolves through four distinct stages - each building on the foundation of the previous one

1
Stage 1

Inception & Growth

Build your foundation with passionate volunteers. Focus on quick wins, simple approaches, and visible impact that demonstrates value.

Duration
6-12 months
Team Size
10-30 Champions
Focus
Quick Wins
2
Stage 2

Maturation & Science

Introduce behavioural science for measured impact. Apply COM-B model and Behaviour Change Wheel for systematic interventions.

Duration
12-18 months
Team Size
30-80 Champions
Focus
Behaviour Change
3
Stage 3

Specialisation & Scale

Build expert sub-networks focused on specific domains. Deploy human risk management platforms and advanced tooling.

Duration
18-24+ months
Team Size
80-150+ Champions
Focus
Deep Expertise
4
Stage 4

Cultural Transformation

Achieve self-sustaining security culture where security becomes "how we do things here" - embedded in operations.

Duration
Ongoing
Team Size
Self-Sustaining
Focus
Cultural Norms

Deep Dive: Stage Details

Explore what each stage involves and how to successfully navigate the journey

🌱 Key Activities

  • Launch awareness campaign and recruit volunteers
  • Establish basic programme structure
  • Provide foundational security training
  • Start monthly community meetings
  • Deliver quick wins for visibility

Quick Wins

  • Launch phishing awareness campaigns
  • Improve password practices across teams
  • Establish secure code review practices
  • Create security tips and guides
  • Run lunch-and-learn sessions

📊 Success Metrics

  • Number of active Champions
  • Meeting attendance rates
  • Teams covered by Champions
  • Security conversations held
  • Incidents reported and resolved

🧠 COM-B Model

  • Analyse Capability: knowledge and skills
  • Assess Opportunity: environment and tools
  • Evaluate Motivation: reflective and automatic
  • Design targeted interventions
  • Measure actual behaviour change

🎯 Behaviour Change Wheel

  • Apply nine intervention functions
  • Education and training programmes
  • Environmental restructuring
  • Persuasion and incentivisation
  • Systematic evaluation of impact

📈 Mature Metrics

  • Observable behaviour shifts
  • Risk reduction measurement
  • Cultural indicator tracking
  • Return on investment
  • Predictive analytics

👥 Specialist Networks

  • AppSec Champions: Secure coding, DevSecOps
  • Cloud Security: Architecture, IaC security
  • Data Protection: Privacy, GDPR, governance
  • Incident Response: Detection and recovery
  • Identity: IAM and access control

🛠️ Advanced Tooling

  • Behavioural analytics platforms
  • Personalised training systems
  • Simulation environments
  • Automated intervention triggers
  • Machine learning risk prediction

📊 Enterprise Metrics

  • Cost avoidance quantification
  • Maturity model benchmarking
  • Risk forecasting
  • ROI demonstration
  • Industry comparisons

Security as Default

  • Automatic security integration
  • Design processes include security
  • No prompting required
  • Part of decision-making DNA
  • Embedded in operations

🤝 Shared Responsibility

  • Everyone owns security
  • Voluntary participation
  • Peer accountability
  • Collective problem-solving
  • Bottom-up initiatives

🔄 Self-Sustaining

  • Culture perpetuates itself
  • Onboarding includes security
  • Social norms reinforce behaviour
  • New joiners adopt through osmosis
  • "How we do things here"

Critical Success Factors

What distinguishes thriving Champions Programmes from those that struggle

Do These Things

  • Start small and scale based on demonstrated value
  • Select Champions on enthusiasm and influence, not seniority
  • Make time commitment realistic and protect capacity
  • Provide recognition that matters in your organisation
  • Build strong peer community bonds from day one
  • Measure what matters and share results transparently
  • Give Champions real agency and trust their judgment
  • Invest in continuous learning and development

Avoid These Pitfalls

  • Treating Champions as unpaid security team extensions
  • Expecting immediate culture change without sustained effort
  • Overloading Champions with administrative tasks
  • Selecting Champions purely based on availability
  • Neglecting to secure manager buy-in for time
  • Focusing solely on compliance rather than behaviour
  • Failing to evolve the programme as it matures
  • Measuring activity instead of impact

Warning Signs

  • Declining meeting attendance and engagement
  • Champions citing lack of time or management support
  • Programme activities driven entirely top-down
  • Champions unsure of their role or value
  • No visible executive engagement
  • Metrics show activity but no behaviour change
  • Champions seen as "security police"
  • High Champion turnover or burnout

Success Indicators

  • Consistent high engagement and voluntary participation
  • Measurable behaviour change in supported teams
  • Champions proactively initiating improvements
  • Teams actively seeking Champion guidance
  • Visible executive support and advocacy
  • Waiting list of people wanting to join
  • Champions seen as contributors, not enforcers
  • Programme benefits visible in business metrics

How CyBehave Can Help

Access expert resources, evidence-based insights, and powerful tools to build and scale your Champions Programme

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Insights & Articles

Expert Knowledge

Explore our library of insights and articles covering behavioural science, security culture, and Champions Programme best practices

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Educational Resources

Learn & Develop

Access training materials, frameworks, and guides to educate your Champions and build behavioural security expertise

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CyBehave360 Lab

Measure Maturity

Use our Behavioural Lab platform to assess your security culture maturity and track progress over time

Coming 2026

CyBehave360 Security Champions Module

A comprehensive platform to support every aspect of your Champions Programme

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Champion Activity Tracking

Measure engagement, contributions, and impact of individual Champions and your overall network

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Champion Identification

Use social network analysis and behavioural indicators to identify potential Champions within your organisation

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Intervention Designer

Easy-to-use tool applying COM-B and Behaviour Change Wheel to help Champions design science-backed interventions

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Champions Club

Resource library with templates, toolkits, and practical guides to support Champions in their day-to-day activities

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Community Chat

Connect with Champions across other organisations to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and learn from practices that work

📚 Coming 2026

The Rise of the Security Champion

Unlock the Secret Weapon Against Cyber Threats: Your People

The Rise of the Security Champion Book Cover

In The Rise of the Security Champion, Andy shatters outdated cybersecurity mindsets, calling on organisations to stop relying solely on technology and start building a resilient culture of security.

This groundbreaking book unveils the untapped power of Security Champions - everyday employees transformed into advocates for cybersecurity within their teams. These champions bridge the gap between technical experts and the broader workforce, making security practical, accessible, and a shared responsibility for all.

Real-world examples & practical frameworks
Step-by-step implementation strategies
Tools for identifying & empowering champions
Frameworks for measuring success

This isn't just a guide - it's a rallying cry for organisations to embrace a human-first approach to cybersecurity, turning their greatest vulnerability into their strongest defence.

Perfect For:

Business Leaders Security Professionals HR & People Teams Risk Managers Culture Champions

Ready to Transform Your Security Culture?

Explore our resources, insights, and educational content to build a Champions Programme that truly sticks