Hackers aren't the only invisible enemy behind cyberattacks - your board's ignorance could also be to blame. Here's what you can do about it.

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

The growing number of cybersecurity threats has compelled all executives and board members to pay greater attention to their cybersecurity hygiene. However, they do not share the same objective when monitoring their information security posture. And this is where a disconnect occurs.

A recent global survey of C-suite leaders indicates that approximately 71% of board members have serious knowledge gaps regarding cybersecurity and the threats facing their organization.

Whether it's data breaches compromising sensitive business information or exploiting consumer identities, executives and information security managers (InfoSec officers) are already prepared for the worst. But senior management is unsure why they need to spend more on their cybersecurity budget.

While InfoSec leaders often emphasize security and risk management as part of their job, board members often associate cybersecurity with their business, but hardly consider it as one of the foundations of modern business success.

Related: Learn how to protect your business from cybersecurity risks

As a result, their communication is mismatched and challenges them to translate cybersecurity risks and potential business implications.

In a nutshell, no matter how aware they are of cybersecurity risks and growing threats, most board members cannot understand how cybersecurity and advanced technologies translate into risks underlying trading.

So what needs to be done on the management side to translate risk? Let's find out.

How you interact with your board leaders makes all the difference. And effective storytelling is undoubtedly the best way to convince them.

While storytelling is not a new concept since humans have used it for centuries to convey a strong message, executives can tap into its true potential to help process crucial information.

Stories have been part of our lives since childhood, and various studies suggest that the human brain is wired for stories. And a compelling narrative could possibly evoke an emotional connection and change behavior and attitude.

Now, while talking with your leadership while using storytelling, you need to make sure you've done your homework to back up your story to leave an impact. Otherwise it would be good for nothing.

Share data and ideas, and talk about the latest tools and technologies that can be integrated into your processes and could have a huge impact. Additionally, outlining your competitors' cybersecurity best practices can also impact your board leadership.

You can also use concrete examples of organizations that ignored their overall cybersecurity hygiene, resulting in financial and reputational losses. This could be a great way to reinforce your opinion on top of the story you've created.

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