📚Traditional Security Awareness Training
Let’s be honest, most security awareness training feels like punishment, not a celebration. Long, boring slideshows, monotone voices, endless acronyms and technical jargon. It’s no wonder that people tune if out long before they learn anything.
But not Dolly…. Dolly would never do Boring!
So, I asked myself, What would Dolly do about cybersecurity awareness? She’d make it fun, memorable and filled with 💞 heart. Because protecting your business and your customers isn’t about fear, uncertainty and doubt…. it’s about confidence, community and a little sparkle!
Here’s how we can turn traditional training on its head- Dolly Parton style.
🎤 Make it social. People learn better together. Instead of “mandatory training,” host coffee chats or themed sessions (“Phishin’ in the Smoky Mountains” anyone?).
💅 Add personality. Security awareness doesn’t have to sound like a robot. Bring humor, real stories, and visuals that stick.
🤠 Empower, don’t embarrass. In 9 to 5, Dolly’s character taught her coworkers to stand up for themselves. That’s what security training should do - help people feel capable, not clueless.
💡 Keep it simple and practical. Nobody needs a lecture on encryption. Teach people how to spot scams, use multi-factor authentication, and safely share files, in plain English.
Because, as Dolly says, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain”. A few minutes of engaging training now can save you from a storm of stress later.
🌟 Everyday Security Tune-Up
🎞️ Think Before You Snap
Before posting photos, check your background! You’d be surprised what a camera can catch like computer screens, client info, even badges. Keep company secrets and personal details out of the frame.
🗑️ Shred Before You Shed
Paper still tells stories so make sure yours don’t fall into the wrong hands. Shred old bills, mail, or printed client info before tossing them out.
☕ Make It Social (In a Good Way)
Talk about scams you’ve heard of, whether in the news or your industry. When we share what’s happening, we help each other spot the red flags faster.
🧘♀️ Pause Before You Act
Scammers want you to react fast and think slow. If something feels urgent, emotional, or off … take a deep breath, reread it, and verify. Calm is your best cybersecurity tool.
✨ Your challenge this month:
Ask yourself, What would Dolly do to make my business more secure — and my team more confident online?
Hint: She’d start by signing up for the Sense of Security newsletter and sharing it with a friend. 💖
🦄 Who is Suecurity?
Susan Richards aka Sue-curity
🌉 Background: Over 30 years in information technology with a passion for keeping people and data secure.
👑 Achievement: Hosts a weekly HITRUST Secrets discussion and nerds out about security topics.
☕ Quirk: An American patriot through and through, she still enjoys Irish breakfast tea in the mornings!
The Image Connection Podcast
This week, I’ll be joining Jenny Dewberry on The Image Connection podcast!
Jenny is an International Image Consultant and Brand Strategist whose show explores the unspoken power of how we show up — in life, in business, and in the world.
And since we’re channeling a little Dolly Parton magic this week, we’ll be talking about how to lead with presence and purpose — rhinestones and all — while keeping your digital self just as polished and protected as your public one.
Because as Dolly says, “You can’t shine if you don’t protect your light.” 💖
🎙️Apple Podcast - Link to The Image Connection
🎆 The Good News
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
Matthew 19: 26
Be safe,
