Partner Content Have you ever watched ? It’s one of my all-time favorite movies, not just for the story but for how it handles complexity.

There’s this scene where Margot Robbie explains subprime mortgages in the simplest terms. There’s a juxtaposition between the complex subject she’s tackling, while in the most relaxing and uncomplicated environment. It’s clever, funny, and effective. Why? Because it takes something painfully complicated and makes it understandable – even relatable.

As cybersecurity professionals, we face a similar challenge every day. We’re immersed in the technical details of vulnerabilities, threats, and defenses. But when it’s time to present these risks to executives, complexity can become our biggest obstacle. So, how do we cut through the noise and make our message resonate? The answer lies in empathy and clarity; making the information relatable, simple, and impactful.

Think about your last big meeting with leadership. Did you leave feeling like your points landed? Or was there a lot of back and forth, re-explaining technical details? For many of us, it’s the latter. Communicating risk effectively isn’t just about conveying facts; it’s about translating them into actionable business insights.

In cybersecurity, this skill is universal. Whether you’re writing an incident report, briefing your team, or presenting risk to the C-suite, how you frame your message can make or break its impact. Done well, it reduces confusion, fosters collaboration, and strengthens trust across the organization. It can even position you as a forward-thinking leader who understands the big picture.

The Big Short method to risk communication

One of the best ways to connect with your audience is to make risks relatable and real. Executives don’t want to be bogged down by technical jargon; they want to understand the business impact and how risks are being proactively addressed. In , the filmmakers use simple metaphors to explain complex financial concepts – like comparing subprime mortgages to bad bets at a casino. This approach works because it makes the abstract tangible.

Here’s how you can apply the same principle in cybersecurity:

Quantify risks with data executives care about:

Remember when Jared Vennett breaks it all down in a conference room, showing the numbers in black and white? Executives think the same way – they need clear data that makes the risk undeniable. Instead of saying, “This vulnerability could lead to a breach,” frame it like this:

Quantifying risk turns an abstract threat into a concrete business issue. It builds trust with executives by showing that your team is grounded in data, leading to faster decision-making and easier approval for necessary budgets.

Share actionable insights from continuous testing:

In the film, everything comes down to timing – who catches the problem first, and who moves fast enough to address it. Cybersecurity is no different. Static reports are like the big banks in with way outdated projections – they miss the evolving risks. Instead, continuous testing delivers fresh insights, giving you the real-time data you need to adapt and act before it’s too late.

For example:

By demonstrating that you’re proactively validating defenses and adapting to changes, you show executives that your security program is dynamic and responsive.

Use analogies and visuals to simplify complex concepts:

Think about the moment whenSelena Gomez explains synthetic CDOs with a blackjack analogy.

It works because it’s relatable and simple. You can do the same with cybersecurity. Compare your layered defenses to a castle with moats, walls, and guards protecting the treasure. Or explain patch management as cleaning up spills in a kitchen – if you leave them unattended, they attract pests. The point is to make risks relatable so your audience connects with the message instead of tuning out.

Frame risks in terms of business impact:

Always tie your message to business goals. For instance:

This approach ensures that your message aligns with what matters most to executives: growth, revenue, and customer trust. By tying risks to outcomes they care about, you build stronger alignment and increase the likelihood of securing the resources your team needs.

A personal lesson on communicating cybersecurity risk

In one of my earlier roles, I presented a detailed incident report to the C-suite. I was confident in my analysis, but halfway through, the CFO interrupted:

That moment was a turning point for me. I realized I wasn’t speaking their language.

Now, whenever I prepare for a meeting, I imagine I’m explaining the issue to someone unfamiliar with cybersecurity – not dumbing it down, but focusing on what matters most to them. This approach not only clarifies the risk but also strengthens trust between technical teams and executives, creating a more collaborative and aligned organization.

Ryan Gosling’s character had a point when he said, ‘Truth is like poetry. And most people f**ing hate poetry.’ Executives don’t hate cybersecurity – they just hate feeling like they can’t understand it.

When you frame risks clearly, here’s what happens:

– Budgets get approved faster because the risks are tied to measurable outcomes.

– Decisions happen quicker, cutting down delays that can cost time and money.

– Trust grows across teams because you’ve shown that security isn’t just a technical issue – it’s a business enabler.

Communicating cybersecurity risk isn’t just about sharing information – it’s about turning complexity into clarity. Like showed us, the key is empathy: understanding your audience’s perspective and crafting your message to connect with their priorities.

So, next time you’re preparing to brief the C-suite, think about how you can simplify the subject matter. You may be an expert in the technical aspects of security, but perhaps your audience could benefit from more relatable and universal terms. Quantify the impact, frame the risks around business outcomes, and connect with your audience on their level. When you do, you’ll not only gain their buy-in but show that security is critical to business success.

Ready to improve how you communicate cybersecurity risks? Learn how continuous validation drives better business alignment or see an example of our executive report.

Contributed by Pentera.