The Mythological Security Storytelling Framework
Why Your Security Presentations Fail (And How to Fix Them)
An introduction to a systematic approach for transforming security data into executive action
The Problem We All Know Too Well
We've all been there. You spend weeks analyzing some sophisticated threat - let's say it's an APT group that's been poking around your network. You've got compelling data, clear recommendations, and a budget request that would genuinely make your organization more secure. You walk into that boardroom thinking, "Finally, the evidence will speak for itself."
Twenty minutes later, you're watching the CFO scroll through emails while you click through slides full of IOCs and kill chains. The CEO interrupts halfway through to ask for "just the bottom line." Your carefully crafted presentation joins the pile of forgotten security briefings that somehow never seem to drive action.
Sound painfully familiar?
Let's Talk About Our Communication Problem
Here's something we don't like admitting: we're terrible at this. Not the security part - we're great at that. But the communication part? We're among the worst in the enterprise.
It's not because we're not smart. It's because somewhere along the way, we got trained to suck the life out of our most important stories. We turn dragon attacks into "security incidents." We transform prophetic warnings into "risk assessments." We convert epic quests into "project proposals." Then we sit there wondering why nobody feels the urgency we do.
The result? Critical stuff gets delayed, underfunded, or flat-out ignored. Not because the threats aren't real, but because we've made them feel like homework.
Why Our "Professional" Approach Backfires
We Drown People in Data Look, executives see hundreds of presentations every month. Your technical metrics? They blend into background noise. Risk scores feel academic. Compliance checklists don't make anyone's heart race.
We've Been Taught Wrong About Business Communication Someone convinced us that "professional" means removing all emotion from our presentations. But here's the thing - humans make decisions with emotion and then justify them with logic. When we strip out all the emotional content, we're only engaging half their brain.
There's a Massive Urgency Gap We live with threat data every day. We feel the constant pressure. But executives? They're worried about quarterly numbers and market competition. Our traditional presentations don't bridge that gap - they just inform without transforming how people think about the problem.
The Solution: Let's Try Something Different
I've spent my entire career watching brilliant security professionals fail to get executive buy-in for critical initiatives. Not because their analysis was wrong, but because their communication was forgettable. That frustration led me to develop what I call the Mythological Security Storytelling Framework - a systematic approach to transforming security data into compelling narratives that executives remember and act on.
Here's the core insight: every security scenario fits into one of seven story structures that humans have been wired to understand for millennia. When you present your challenges using these frameworks, something interesting happens - people stop checking their phones and start asking the right questions.n you present your security challenges using these frameworks, something magical happens: executives stop checking their phones and start asking strategic questions.
The Seven Sacred Archetypes
The Siege Narrative
Best for: Ongoing threat campaigns, compliance deadlines, sustained attacks
Transform persistent threats into epic siege campaigns where your organization is a kingdom under prolonged attack. Current defenses hold the walls, but strategic investment is needed to break the siege permanently.
Example: "For eight months, our digital kingdom has been under siege by the Lazarus Group. Today I bring you the war council's assessment of our defenses and our strategy to drive them back."
The Prophet's Warning
Best for: Risk assessments, vulnerability reports, predictive briefings
Turn risk analysis into prophetic visions where executives become wise rulers who can change fate through strategic action. Three paths of destiny, clear choices, measurable outcomes.
Example: "The oracle has spoken, and her visions are troubling. Three great calamities threaten our realm, but we have the power to change what's coming."
The Dragon's Awakening
Best for: Incident response, breach presentations, crisis communication
Transform security incidents into epic battles where brave defenders face awakened threats. Heroes respond, battles are fought, victories achieved, and kingdoms emerge stronger.
Example: "At dawn on Tuesday, the Conti Dragon awakened in our northern territories. Here's how our defenders drove the beast back to its lair."
The Quest for the Sacred Artifact
Best for: Technology implementations, security program builds, major initiatives
Present new security capabilities as legendary artifacts that could protect the entire kingdom. The quest requires resources and faces trials, but the transformation is worth the journey.
Example: "Our scouts have discovered the Shield of Zero Trust in distant lands. The journey to claim it will test our resolve, but it could protect our entire realm."
The Merchant's Journey
Best for: Business enablement, risk vs. opportunity, new market entry
Frame business initiatives as merchant expeditions through dangerous territory. Great profits await, but proper escorts and precautions ensure safe passage and mutual prosperity.
Example: "Our merchants seek passage through the Cloud Territories to reach lucrative markets beyond. With proper escorts, great prosperity awaits."
The Alliance Formation
Best for: Third-party risk, vendor management, partnership security
Present vendor relationships as diplomatic alliances between kingdoms. Honor must be tested, treaties signed with protective terms, and mutual prosperity achieved through secure partnerships.
Example: "The Kingdom of AWS seeks to join our trading alliance. Their proposal brings great opportunity, but we must ensure their borders are as strong as ours."
The Succession Crisis
Best for: Leadership transitions, succession planning, knowledge transfer
Transform personnel changes into royal succession planning. Ancient wisdom must be preserved, new champions trained, and the eternal watch maintained without interruption.
Example: "The realm must prepare for the changing of the guard. Our current protectors have served with honor, but new champions must be trained in the ancient ways."
Before You Think This Is Too "Out There"
I get it. Your first reaction might be "this is too creative for my conservative industry." But here's the key: every mythological element has to map to concrete business reality.
The framework includes techniques for keeping this professional:
The Bridge: "If we think of our network as a digital kingdom..."
The Translation: "In business terms, this means..."
The Anchor: "The data behind this story shows..."
The Mythology Dial: Adjust intensity based on your audience
Conservative audience? Give them subtle metaphors. Creative audience? Go full narrative. But everyone gets the same data and recommendations - just wrapped in language that actually resonates.
Why This Actually Works
It Taps Into How We're Wired Humans have been responding to these story patterns for 50,000 years. They bypass industry barriers and cultural differences. They get both the logical and emotional parts of the brain engaged.
Stories Stick Around When was the last time you remembered a PowerPoint slide from six months ago? But you probably remember stories from years back. Complex technical stuff becomes relatable. Action-oriented narratives naturally push toward decisions.
It Changes How You're Perceived Instead of being the technical person who brings problems, you become the strategic advisor who brings solutions wrapped in compelling vision. It transforms tactical requests into strategic conversations.
What's Next
Look, I'll be honest with you - I'm still figuring this out as I go. But after years of watching brilliant security professionals get ignored in boardrooms, I'm convinced we need to fundamentally change how we communicate.
This framework isn't some academic theory I've been polishing in ivory towers. It's a practical solution born from frustration - the same frustration you've probably felt watching executives' eyes glaze over during your most important presentations.
I'm launching a newsletter called "Tales from the Digital Realm" where I'll put this framework to the test. Every other week, I'm going to take real cybersecurity incidents - the SolarWinds hack, the Colonial Pipeline attack, that mess with CrowdStrike last year - and show you how they could have been presented as the epic tales they actually are.
Will it work? I think so. Will I refine it along the way? Absolutely. Will you probably have better ideas than I do about how to apply this stuff? Almost certainly.
That's why I want you along for the ride.
If you're tired of being the person who knows the most important stuff in the room but somehow can't get anyone to care, if you've ever left a security briefing thinking "I could have explained that better," if you believe your incidents and assessments deserve better than bullet points and risk matrices - then maybe we can figure this out together.
Because here's what I know for sure: every security professional has epic stories hiding in their data. The question isn't whether those stories exist. The question is whether we're brave enough to tell them.
Want to see this framework in action? Subscribe to "Tales from the Digital Realm" - my bi-weekly newsletter where cybersecurity incidents become legendary tales with real business lessons.
Or learn more about The Framework