In order to be prepared for the cyber threats of the present and future, Henkel AG has set up a globally oriented security awareness program with a role model function.
Photo: Henkel AG
As part of its digital strategy, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is pursuing numerous initiatives to optimize the customer experience. In the digitization era, however, not only innovative new approaches and business models are in demand: In particular, the hardening of IT systems against attack attempts by criminal hackers should be at the top of the corporate agenda in view of the current threat landscape.
At Henkel, this requirement has been recognized and an IT security strategy “2020+” has been drawn up, which also includes a comprehensive, global security awareness program that focuses on the human factor. With the campaign, the company is participating in this year’s DIGITAL LEADER AWARD – the German award for digital leadership.
The campaign for security awareness at Henkel runs under the motto – or the hashtag – #SharedResponsibility, after all, IT security is no longer just an issue for the IT department, but for all employees: only if the entire workforce is aware of the dangers online lurking, the risk of compromises can be sustainably reduced.
If security becomes a general basic component, this not only has a positive effect on company security, but also the long-term potential for success of projects. Henkel’s safety awareness initiative not only focuses on safety in everyday working life, but also in the private sphere. From the point of view of those responsible, this is the only way to ensure that the content conveyed really leads to behavioral changes among employees.
To convey the content, Henkel set up a globally operating awareness team, which focuses on Germany, the USA and China and which is also supported by volunteers from other countries as part of a cybersecurity network. The team members come together regularly for telephone conferences to exchange information on current (global and local) security trends or threats or to take part in train-the-trainer sessions. The members of the awareness team can be reached by employees at any time via their own Yammer channel – which is also used to disseminate the latest information.