New 2026 SANS Security Awareness & Culture Report: Two Shifts Leaders Can’t Ignore
I just finished reviewing the newly released 2026 SANS Security Awareness & Culture Report, and the findings are both eye‑opening and highly actionable. Because this year’s report, “Embedding a Strong Security Culture,” draws on insights from 1,700+ practitioners, it provides business leaders with a clearer path to managing human risk and, ultimately, strengthening their organization’s security culture.
As you move through the report, two major shifts immediately stand out — and both deserve attention.
🔹 1. The Technology Shift
AI jumped from the #4 human risk to #2 — in just one year.
Consequently, security teams are rapidly adjusting their strategies. For example, many are now:
- Implementing guardrails around employee use of public AI tools
- Addressing new AI‑driven data exposure risks
- Preparing for emerging AI‑powered threats
In other words, AI isn’t just transforming business operations — it’s fundamentally reshaping human risk.
🔹 2. The Profession Shift
SANS captures it perfectly: “Think of yourself as the chief marketing officer of security.”
As a result, the role of the security awareness professional is evolving. Rather than focusing solely on training modules or phishing simulations, leaders must now emphasize:
- Influencing behavior
- Communicating risk more effectively
- Driving cultural change across the organization
Put simply, security awareness is becoming a strategic communication function — not just a compliance requirement.
💡 The Takeaway
Because the threat landscape continues to accelerate, organizations must be intentional about how they build and sustain security culture. And since human risk is now a board‑level priority, the need for modern, behavior‑driven awareness programs has never been greater.
At 2Bware, we help organizations build practical, modern security awareness programs that actually change behavior. If you want a breakdown of what these findings mean for your business, contact 2Bware today.
