Ten ways to sell security to management

I used to think that facts and logic alone could sell Windows security ideas, but it really doesn't work that way. This is especially true with the unseen and often unheard black art of information security. In fact, if you want to get people – be it management or users – on your side and to buy into your security initiatives, you're going to have to dig deeper.

Here are the 10 best ways I've found to get people on your side. They will propel you from being an average IT security professional to being a leader in your organization:

As you can see, these things have nothing to do with how many certifications you have, what degrees you've earned or how long you've been working in the field. They're all about you – your cha

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racter and how you relate to others on a human level.

Know going into this that getting people on your side to help improve the organization's information security is not easy, but it's not unachievable either. The techniques might not seem natural, but they're essential if you're going to move ahead and make a positive impact. Spend some time focusing on each of these ten tips single day, week after week, and you'll start seeing positive results in an environment where everyone involved gets what they want and need.

Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, keynote speaker and expert witness with Atlanta-based Principle Logic LLC where he specializes in performing independent security assessments. Kevin has authored/co-authored seven books on information security, including Hacking For Dummies and Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies (Wiley). He's also the creator of the "Security On Wheels" information security audio books and blog providing security learning for IT professionals on the go. Kevin can be reached at kbeaver@principlelogic.com.

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