Team CM
The Old Security Playbook Is Dead. Here’s What AI Broke
For decades, cybersecurity was built on predictable patterns: define the rules, teach the rules, enforce the rules. Firewalls blocked known threats,...
It's like Huey Lewis said: "It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes... but it might just save your life" — except we're not talking about love. We're talking about the power of surprise in cybersecurity awareness programs.
In an industry still stuck on rinse-and-repeat eLearning modules, email newsletters, and templated phishing simulations, it’s no wonder that employee engagement is flagging. We’re burning people out with repetition, not building them up with insight. Enter novelty: the most underused force in behavior change.
The Diminishing Returns of Repetition
Legacy awareness programs often emphasize consistency above all else: same month, same format, same content rotation. While repetition helps reinforce core knowledge, it also breeds boredom and automaticity. People start to skim, click-through, or ignore outright. That’s not learning—that’s fatigue.
In fact, recent cognitive science tells us that repeated exposure to predictable stimuli can result in what’s called habituation: a neurological response where attention and emotional salience drop. The brain treats the repetitive content as white noise. That’s the exact opposite of what you want when you're teaching risk awareness.
Surprise: A Signal for Attention
Novelty activates the brain’s orientation response, triggering dopamine release and enhancing memory consolidation. In plain terms? When something unexpected happens, we pay attention. We remember it better. We’re more likely to update our behavior based on that experience.
Surprise doesn't have to mean scare tactics or shock value (although used sparingly, those can work). It means changing the delivery, format, tone, or content in a way that catches the learner off guard:
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Using humor or satire in training videos
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Embedding risk messages in unexpected places (e.g., log-in screens, Zoom backgrounds)
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Rotating phishing templates based on pop culture trends
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Featuring real-world stories instead of dry compliance language
Cultural Fit: Not All Surprises Are Welcome
This doesn’t mean you should roll out deepfakes or pranks tomorrow. Novelty must align with culture, tone, and brand. What’s funny in one organization may be offensive or confusing in another. Adaptive awareness means adapting not just to risks, but to people.
Before deploying something novel, ask:
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Will this engage or alienate?
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Does it align with our culture and values?
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Is it inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe?
Novelty with Purpose: Driving Behavior Change
The point of surprise isn't entertainment. It’s cognitive engagement. When done right, it breaks autopilot, invites curiosity, and creates moments of insight that reinforce key behaviors. Think of it as a pattern interrupt that opens the door to deeper learning.
In our own work, we’ve seen that unexpected formats—like character-led videos, live virtual events, or even street interviews—drive higher engagement, completion rates, and self-reported behavior change. That’s not accidental. It’s neurological design.
Moving from Broadcast to Conversation
Surprise works best when it’s part of a larger shift from top-down content dumps to dynamic, human-centered experiences. People learn more when they feel surprised, respected, and emotionally connected to the message.
So next time you're planning your awareness calendar, don’t just ask, "What do we need to tell them?" Ask, "What would make them want to listen?"
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