Security Champions: Building a Security-First Culture in Startups and SMBs

Small organizations often run lean – every team member wears multiple hats. But who looks after cybersecurity when you don’t have a dedicated security team? That’s where Security Champions come in.

A Security Champion is a person within your company who takes on the mission of keeping security top-of-mind, even if it’s not their full-time job. They help maintain a security-first culture by advocating best practices, raising awareness, and serving as the go-to contact for security issues.

In this post, we’ll explore what Security Champions do, the traits that make them effective, how they work across teams, and how they support compliance efforts (like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR). Even if you don’t come from a security background, you’ll see how stepping up as a Security Champion can be a rewarding growth opportunity for your career.

What Is a Security Champion?

A Security Champion is typically an employee – often a developer, engineer, or tech-savvy team member – who has a strong interest in cybersecurity and volunteers to advocate for it within their team.

They:

• Bridge the gap between their department and security stakeholders.
• Promote best practices (e.g., secure coding, access controls).
• Help implement compliance requirements (e.g., audits, privacy reviews).
• Act as the go-to person for security-related questions.

Security Champions are not required to be security experts. With curiosity and dedication, they serve as internal advocates that help embed security into daily operations.

Why Small Businesses Need Security Champions

Startups and small businesses often lack dedicated cybersecurity staff. A Security Champion ensures someone keeps security top-of-mind in these environments.

Benefits include:

• Culture-Building: Security becomes part of daily conversations.
• Cost-Effective Oversight: No need to hire a full-time security analyst early on.
• Compliance Support: Champions coordinate internal practices that map to compliance standards.
• Incident Readiness: They serve as first responders or liaisons in case of security events.

Example: A 50-person SaaS company designated a developer as a Security Champion. That person coordinated a phishing awareness campaign, helped improve access control, and led the company through SOC 2 readiness – all while continuing their normal dev work.

Traits of an Effective Security Champion

Here’s what makes a great Security Champion:

• Interest in Security: Curiosity and willingness to learn go a long way.
• Integrity: Trustworthy and ethical, with a focus on doing the right thing.
• Strong Communicator: Able to explain security risks in plain language.
• Respected Peer: Influences without authority, gains team buy-in.
• Proactive Learner: Comfortable with continuous improvement and staying current.

Championing Security Across Teams

Security Champions work across departments. Here are some ways they make an impact:

• Embed Security in Daily Work: Share quick tips in team meetings or Slack.
• Run Informal Trainings: Hold short phishing quizzes or run password manager demos.
• Build Peer Networks: Collaborate with other champions or external mentors.
• Track Improvements: Help set up internal checklists and reminders for common controls.
• Celebrate Wins: Highlight good security behaviors, not just mistakes.

Supporting Compliance Frameworks

Security Champions play a big role in compliance by:

• Translating frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR into everyday actions.
• Supporting documentation, evidence gathering, and policy rollouts.
• Acting as internal project coordinators for audits.
• Helping teams understand what’s expected of them and how to stay aligned.

Career Growth Benefits

Becoming a Security Champion can open doors:

• Upskill in Security: Build a portfolio of accomplishments.
• Leadership Experience: Lead projects, train teams, and influence culture.
• Career Advancement: Transition into GRC, security management, or privacy roles.
• Cross-Team Visibility: Get noticed by leadership and broaden your impact.

Ready to Kickstart Your Security Champion Program?

Even without a security department, your organization can build a resilient, compliance-aligned culture by empowering Security Champions.

Anchor Cyber Security offers coaching, enablement, and advisory services for companies looking to launch or improve internal champion programs. Whether you’re preparing for SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, or just trying to reduce risk – we can help.

👉 Contact us today to learn how to start building your internal Security Champions.