We spoke to Theresa Payton, CEO & Chief Advisor at Fortalice and first female White House Chief Information Officer, about her successful career in blending the most forward thinking cybersecurity techniques with human behavior.
You’ve been at the forefront of cybersecurity for years, blending technology with human insight. How do you define a human-centric approach to cybersecurity, and why is it essential in today’s digital landscape?
A human-centric approach to cybersecurity is about recognizing that, at its core, cybersecurity isn't just about defending against threats but also about protecting people. This approach involves understanding human behavior, anticipating how cybercriminals will target humans and the systems, and designing systems for how people naturally interact with technology. This is essential because cybercriminals often target human vulnerabilities, such as phishing attacks that prey on human trust and curiosity.
By focusing on the human element, we can build more resilient systems. This includes educating employees, fostering a culture of security awareness, and designing user-friendly security measures that don’t stunt productivity. Ultimately, it’s about creating a partnership between technology and the people who use it, ensuring that security measures are effective and intuitive and whenever possible, the designs should be frictionless and elegant.
In your experience, what are the biggest misconceptions organizations have about the role of human behavior in cybersecurity breaches?
Many organizations consider humans to be the weakest link, and that thinking is short-sighted. Some organizations may also believe that technology alone can safeguard against breaches, overlooking the likelihood of criminals finding the “thin spaces” between protective layers and forcing human error—like sending sophisticated phishing scams or leveraging passwords stolen from another cyber incident. Another misconception is that only hackers are threats when well-meaning employees can inadvertently cause breaches by accidentally sharing sensitive information with an unauthorized user.
You’ve worked with both public and private sectors. How do you tailor human-centric security measures differently when advising government institutions versus private companies?
When advising government institutions, the focus is often on protecting national security and infrastructure, which requires extreme attention and compliance with regulations. The human-centric approach here requires constant training, clear protocols, and regular drills to make sure that employees understand the importance of their roles and are prepared for potential threats.
Private companies typically have more flexibility. Balancing security with user experience is essential, ensuring that measures are strong and user-friendly. The human-centric strategy in the private sector includes ongoing education, fostering a culture of security awareness, and implementing solutions that integrate security into the everyday without disruption.
As the first female CIO at the White House, how did you promote a culture of security awareness and human-centric practices among staff at the highest levels of government?
I was very fortunate to have a talented team and the support of the executive staff at the White House to implement new and innovative approaches. As the first female CIO at the White House, I focused on making cybersecurity relatable and essential to every staff member. I aimed to provide a proactive culture where everyone understood their role in protecting national security by explaining the' why' behind security practices and implementing tailored, engaging training sessions. Encouraging open communication and ownership was crucial for implementing security awareness at all levels.
How can organizations encourage employees to take ownership of their role in cybersecurity, and what human-centric strategies have you found most effective in fostering this sense of responsibility?
Organizations must make cybersecurity personal and relevant. One effective strategy is to connect the importance of cybersecurity to their daily work and personal lives, helping them see how their actions can either protect or jeopardize others. One of my favorite healthcare organizations focuses on helping employees protect their loved ones, young and old, from cyber threats. Once they feel their employees know how to protect their personal digital lives, they layer on how to protect their enterprise's digital footprint. It is an incredibly effective strategy, and hundreds of their employees have shared with me that the company's investment in protecting their personal and work lives has helped detect and thwart threats.
I’ve found that human-centric strategies like interactive training, real-world simulations, and clear communication of the potential impact of breaches are most effective. In addition, fostering a culture of accountability, where employees are recognized for their proactive security measures, can significantly boost their sense of responsibility. Making cybersecurity a shared mission rather than just an IT concern empowers everyone to contribute to the organization’s safety.
Cybersecurity often emphasizes technical defenses, but human error remains a significant vulnerability. What are some of the most effective ways to mitigate human risk in cybersecurity?
Cybercriminals and fraudsters could teach a master class in human behavior. They use this to force us into making errors we normally would not make. They use this to anticipate configuration mistakes or other security mistakes that allow them to gain a toehold in an enterprise. One of the most effective ways to reduce human error is engaging in training that goes beyond the basics. Encouraging open dialogue about cybersecurity, providing clear guidelines, and recognizing employees who demonstrate good security practices can significantly reduce human risk. Ultimately, it’s about making cybersecurity a shared responsibility and ensuring every team member understands their role in protecting the organization.
In what ways do emerging technologies like AI and machine learning complement or enhance human-centric cybersecurity efforts?
AI can process data fast, and can speed up identifying anomalous patterns for security teams that are understaffed. This helps organizations detect and respond to threats quicker and more accurately. The real strength of AI and machine learning is its ability to add to human capabilities, not replace them. With both human intuition and experience with the speed and precision of AI, this creates a more resilient cybersecurity posture, ensuring that defenses are both intelligent and adaptable.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, what challenges do you foresee in maintaining a human-centric approach to cybersecurity?
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, one of the biggest challenges in maintaining a human-centric approach is ensuring that security measures keep pace without overwhelming users. Modern threats require advanced defenses but still need to be user-friendly. If security measures become too difficult to use, employees might bypass them, increasing the risk of attacks.
Looking ahead, what innovations or trends in cybersecurity excite you the most, particularly those that enhance the human element in security?
One of the most exciting trends in cybersecurity are AI tools that can assist in threat detection and response, providing human analysts with actionable insights while reducing inaccuracy. This allows the team to focus on making critical decisions and responding to threats.
Another amazing innovation is the upcoming user-friendly security interfaces that make it easy for the team to use without lowering protection. These interfaces help team members at all levels to engage with security practices more naturally.
You frequently advise boards, CEOs, and technology executives. What are the top three human-centric cybersecurity practices you recommend to leaders in these roles?
Prioritize continuous education and training: Cybersecurity is ever-changing, and it’s important that everyone is well aware of the newest threats and best practices. Regular training sessions that are engaging and interactive for all different roles within the organization help to make sure employees are not only aware of potential threats but are also equipped to respond in a timely manner.
Foster a culture of security awareness: Leaders must actively cultivate a culture where every team member understands their role in protecting the organization. This involves clear communication and encouraging an environment where security is seen as a shared responsibility, not just an IT concern. Do not shame employees when they click on the wrong answer in a security training quiz or phishing exercise - find ways to reinforce positive behaviors and promote a welcoming security culture.
Implement user-friendly security solutions: Always begin with the human user story - collect their activities before, during, and after using technology. Study the interaction and anticipate the “thin spaces” where cybercriminals and fraudsters may strike. Security measures should be created with the user in mind. If security measures are too difficult to manage, the team may go through the motions and in turn, increase risks. I recommend adopting solutions that are easy to use, ensuring that security practices are integrated seamlessly into the day-to-day.
About Theresa Payton
Theresa Payton, the first female White House Chief Information Officer, is a leading authority on secure digital transformation, advising Fortune 500 boards, CEOs, and tech executives. As a former banking tech executive and current CEO of Fortalice Solutions, she leverages her experience as a technologist and cybersecurity expert to fight cybercrime. With a U.S. security patent and multiple industry awards, Payton is also a best-selling author and frequent media guest, offering insights on topics from AI to Big Data. She was named one of the Top 50 Women in Tech and among the 100 Most Influential People in Cybersecurity.
