# Exercise: Dashboard Design Workshop

To design more effective executive security dashboards, follow this structured approach:

1. Gather a cross-functional team including security, business, and data visualization specialists
2. Define the specific decisions and actions the dashboard should support
3. Identify the 5-7 most important metrics that inform these decisions
4. Create wireframes of potential dashboard layouts
5. Test designs with representative users and refine based on feedback

Use this template for designing executive security dashboards:

- Dashboard purpose: [Specific decisions and actions supported]
- Primary audience: [Key stakeholders who will use the dashboard]
- Key metrics: [Core measurements to be displayed]
- Update frequency: [How often will data refresh]
- Data sources: [Systems providing the underlying information]
- Alert thresholds: [Conditions warranting attention or intervention]
- Customization options: [User-configurable elements]

When selecting visualization techniques, consider these guidelines:

- Use line charts for trends over time
- Use bar charts for comparing values across categories
- Use heat maps for risk distribution and prioritization
- Use gauges for performance against targets
- Use tables sparingly and only for precise numeric data
- Limit color usage to highlight exceptions and priorities
- Maintain consistent scales to prevent visual distortion

Evaluate dashboard effectiveness using these criteria:

- Comprehension: Can users correctly interpret the information presented?
- Actionability: Does the dashboard clearly indicate when action is required?
- Efficiency: Can users find relevant information quickly?
- Accuracy: Does the dashboard correctly represent the underlying data?
- Relevance: Does the dashboard include metrics that drive decisions?
- Regular refinement based on these criteria ensures that security dashboards remain valuable tools for executive decision-making rather than mere informational displays.

## Executive Security Dashboard Design Template

Dashboard Purpose and Audience

| Element | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Dashboard Title |  |
| Primary Purpose | What decisions will this dashboard support? |
| Primary Audience | Who are the main users of this dashboard? |
| Usage Frequency | How often will users consult this dashboard? |
| Refresh Frequency | How often will data be updated? |

Table 4: Dashboard Purpose and Audience

### Key Metrics Selection

Select 5-7 metrics that most directly support executive decision-making. For each metric:

| Metric Name | Business Alignment | Visual Format | Alert Thresholds | Data Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|   |   |   |   |   |
|   |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |

Table 5: Key Metrics Selection

### Dashboard Layout

Sketch the dashboard layout, considering:

- Most important metrics should be the most prominent (upper left)
- Related metrics should be grouped together
- Include clear titles, legends, and context

### Visualization Selection Guide

| Data Type | Recommended Visualization | When to Use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trends over time | Line chart | Showing changes in metrics over time |
| Comparisons | Bar chart | Comparing values across categories |
| Part-to-whole | Pie/donut chart | Showing proportions of a total |
| Distributions | Histogram | Showing frequency distributions |
| Relationships | Scatter plot | Showing correlations between variables |
| Geospatial | Map | Showing geographic distribution |
| Status | Gauge/speedometer | Showing performance against targets |
| Risk levels | Heat map | Showing areas of highest risk/concern |

Table 6: Visualization Selection Guide

### Interaction and Drill-Down

| Element | Drill-Down Capability | Additional Context |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|   |   |   |
|  |  |  |

Table 7: Interaction and Drill-Down

### Implementation Plan

| Task | Owner | Timeline | Resources Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Define data sources |  |  |  |
| Create data extraction/transformation |  |  |  |
| Design visual elements |  |  |  |
| Build dashboard prototype |  |  |  |
| User testing |  |  |  |
| Refinement |  |  |  |
| Deployment |  |  |  |
| Training |  |  |  |

Table 8: Implementation Plan

**Evaluation Criteria**

Periodically evaluate the dashboard using these criteria:

- Comprehension: Can users correctly interpret the information?
- Actionability: Does it prompt appropriate decisions?
- Efficiency: Can users quickly find what they need?
- Accuracy: Does it correctly represent the underlying data?
- Relevance: Does it include metrics that matter for decisions?
- Timeliness: Is information current enough for effective decisions?

***

(c)[Kayne McGladrey](https://kaynemcgladrey.com/) - [Get the full book "Cyber Risk is a Myth"](https://www.routledge.com/Cyber-Risk-is-a-Myth-A-Business-Approach-to-Integrated-Risk-Management/McGladrey/p/book/9781041249054)