3 Steps to Build Trust in Organizational Culture

Trust is the foundation of any effective cybersecurity culture. When employees trust leadership and each other, they're more likely to report threats, engage in training, and follow protocols consistently. Without it, even the most advanced security tools can’t prevent human-driven risk.

According to the Cybersecurity Insiders’ 2024 Insider Threat Report, 83% of organizations reported at least one insider attack in the last year. While technology plays a role in detecting these threats, a deeper issue often lies within the culture—especially when trust is lacking.

This blog outlines three actionable steps to strengthen trust within your organization—so your cybersecurity strategies gain the buy-in and behavior change they’re designed to deliver.

Why Trust is Critical to Cybersecurity Culture

Cybersecurity doesn’t fail because of a lack of tools—it fails when people don’t act. And people won’t act unless they trust the system they’re part of.

Trust determines whether employees speak up about suspicious behavior, admit to mistakes, or take policies seriously. In an environment where blame is common and communication is one-way, employees are more likely to stay silent, skip training, or ignore warning signs.

Read more on how to involve employees during critical moments in the Keepnet article on Post-Breach Communication: How to Involve Employees in the Recovery Process.

This directly impacts the effectiveness of Security Awareness Training. When employees feel respected and included, they’re more likely to engage meaningfully with training programs—not just click through them. Over time, that builds a workforce that sees cybersecurity as part of their role, not just IT’s job.

For a real example of what trust-based security culture looks like in action, explore the Keepnet guide on Positive Cybersecurity Culture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Trust in Organizational Culture

Building trust in an organization doesn’t happen by chance—it requires intentional actions from leadership. From how security policies are introduced to how employee mistakes are handled, every interaction shapes the culture.

The following steps outline practical ways to embed trust into your daily operations—so your team not only follows security practices but believes in them.

Step 1 – Communicate Transparently and Consistently

Trust is built on clarity and consistency. When security policies are communicated openly—and reinforced regularly—employees are more likely to understand their responsibilities and take them seriously. Consistent messaging also reduces uncertainty, making people more confident in reporting issues and participating in security programs.

Set Expectations from Day One

Use onboarding as a strategic moment to introduce your organization’s security values. Clearly explain how cybersecurity ties into the company’s goals, what’s expected from employees, and how their actions directly impact risk. This early alignment sets the tone for a culture of accountability.

Keep Dialogue Open

Trust isn’t a one-time message—it’s an ongoing conversation. Create regular opportunities for employees to ask questions, share feedback, or raise concerns without fear of judgment. When people feel heard, they’re more invested in the outcome.

Supporting this dialogue with structured programs like Security Awareness Training helps reinforce key messages and ensures that communication remains active—not reactive.

For practical tips on keeping employees engaged, explore the Keepnet guide: How to Increase Employee Interest in Security Awareness Training.

Step 2 – Empower Employees Through Training

Training isn’t just about compliance—it’s about giving employees the tools and confidence to act. When training is personalized, relevant, and practical, employees are more likely to retain what they learn and apply it in real situations.

Personalized Security Awareness Training

Not all employees face the same risks—and their training shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Role-based security awareness training delivers targeted content based on an employee’s responsibilities, risk exposure, and access levels. This ensures that executives, developers, HR teams, and frontline staff receive training that’s directly relevant to their roles.

Adaptive security training takes this further by adjusting the learning experience based on user performance and behavior over time. The result is a more engaging, focused program that aligns with specific threat profiles and individual learning needs.

To learn how adaptive, role-specific training works in practice, explore the Keepnet article: What is Role-Based Security Awareness Training, and How Can It Be Customized and Adapted?

Simulate Realistic Security Scenarios

Training becomes more effective when employees are given the chance to apply what they’ve learned. Simulations provide a safe environment to practice recognizing and responding to common threats—without the consequences of an actual breach.

With tools like Phishing Simulator, Vishing, and Smishing Simulator, organizations can test how employees respond to realistic attack methods—like fake login prompts, urgent voice calls, or suspicious text messages.

These simulations do more than test awareness—they generate actionable insights. Security teams can identify behavioral gaps, adjust training, and focus efforts where risk is highest.

Simulations build confidence, reinforce learning, and turn knowledge into secure action.

To see how simulation technology can go even further, explore How Keepnet's AI-Powered Phishing Simulator Delivers Hyper-Personalized Security Awareness.

Step 3 – Recognize and Reward Secure Behavior

Security awareness doesn’t end with training—it must be reinforced through recognition. When secure behavior is acknowledged, employees are more likely to repeat it. Over time, this creates a culture where doing the right thing becomes second nature.

Behavioral Metrics Matter

Tracking behavior helps turn awareness into measurable results. It’s not enough to know who completed training—organizations need to understand how employees behave when faced with actual threats. Tools like the Phishing Risk Score provide visibility into how users respond to simulated attacks, how quickly they report suspicious activity, and where common mistakes occur.

These insights allow security teams to identify high-risk individuals or departments, customize follow-up training, and benchmark progress across teams. Over time, behavioral data helps refine strategy, close knowledge gaps, and focus efforts where they have the greatest impact.

Celebrate Small Wins

Recognizing improvements—like promptly reporting phishing emails or completing simulations without errors—builds positive reinforcement. Even small acknowledgments, such as internal shoutouts, leaderboards, or achievement badges, show that secure behavior is valued.

Gamification strategies can take this further by turning engagement into motivation. To explore how game mechanics can drive behavior change, read The Power of Gamification in Security Awareness Training.

Trust Is the Hidden Layer of Defense

Technology can block threats, but only trust can unlock consistent, secure behavior across the organization. When employees trust their leadership, their training, and their role in defending the business, they become active participants—not passive risks.

Building trust through transparent communication, relevant training, and positive reinforcement turns security from a policy into a culture. It encourages employees to speak up, stay alert, and support each other in managing cyber threats.

To see how these trust-building strategies integrate with technical defense, explore the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform.

For a strategic blueprint on building a company-wide security mindset, read the Keepnet guide on Security-Conscious Corporate Culture.