Every security analyst knows the feeling—you’ve uncovered something important, maybe a critical vulnerability or unusual network activity, and you need to brief leadership. You’ve got charts, logs, and maybe even packet captures. But when you share them with executives, you’re met with blank stares.
The problem isn’t that leadership doesn’t care—it’s that they speak a different language. They think in terms of risk, cost, and business impact, while analysts often focus on IPs, ports, and hashes. Bridging that gap is one of the most important skills you can develop in cybersecurity.
Why Communication Matters
At the end of the day, security leaders and executives make the decisions about budgets, staffing, and strategy. If you can’t communicate your technical findings in a way they understand, your recommendations might never get the green light.
Good communication ensures:
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Leadership understands why an issue matters to the business.
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Decisions are based on clear, actionable information.
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Security teams build trust by showing they’re aligned with organizational goals.
Common Pitfalls
One of the biggest mistakes analysts make is assuming everyone shares the same level of technical knowledge. You don’t need to explain the inner workings of an exploit chain to a CFO—they just want to know if the company’s financial data is at risk.
Other common pitfalls include:
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Overloading presentations with jargon.
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Focusing on raw data instead of summarizing findings.
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Leaving out the business impact or cost.
How to Translate Technical Findings
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Start with the Business Impact
Instead of opening with technical details, explain what the finding means in business terms. Example: “We identified a vulnerability that could allow attackers to access customer records, which could result in compliance fines and reputational damage.” -
Keep It Simple
Use plain language. Swap “SQL injection” for “a flaw in the website that could let attackers steal data.” -
Use Visuals Wisely
Executives don’t want to see endless log files. Instead, use charts, graphs, or simple visuals to illustrate trends and risks. -
Offer Clear Recommendations
Don’t just present problems—provide solutions. “We recommend applying patches within the next 48 hours and increasing monitoring in this area.” -
Tailor the Message to the Audience
A CIO may want more detail than a CEO. Adjust the depth of your explanation depending on who’s in the room.
Why This Matters for CompTIA Certifications
If you’re on the CompTIA certification track, this skill isn’t just nice to have—it’s tested and emphasized across several exams.
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Security+: Covers the basics of risk communication and reporting.
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CySA+: Focuses on analysis and presenting findings in a way that supports decision-making.
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CASP+: Takes it to the executive level, requiring you to frame technical details within enterprise risk management.
When exam scenarios ask how to present findings, the “right” answer is almost always the one that connects the dots between technical details and business outcomes.
Practical Example
Imagine you found that several servers are missing critical patches. Instead of saying, “Servers 12–15 are vulnerable to CVE-2023-####,” you’d say:
“We found that several servers haven’t been updated, leaving them exposed to an exploit that ransomware groups are actively using. If compromised, this could lead to downtime in our payment systems. We recommend patching within 72 hours.”
Notice how this frames the issue in terms of risk and impact instead of just technical jargon.
Final Thoughts
Communicating technical findings effectively is one of the most underrated but powerful skills in cybersecurity. It transforms raw data into meaningful insights that drive decisions, secure budgets, and strengthen defenses.
For anyone studying CompTIA certifications—or working as an analyst—mastering this art will not only help you pass exams but also make you the go-to person leadership trusts when it comes to security.
