Enhance Accessibility in Cybersecurity Products: It’s Your Competitive Advantage

Who is Justin Merhoff?

Justin Merhoff is the Director of Security at Deque Systems, Inc., bringing over 26 years of extensive experience in the field of Information Security.

His career spans both government and corporate sectors, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity challenges across different environments.

At Deque, Justin plays a crucial role in shaping the company's security strategies and practices.

He has become a passionate advocate for accessibility within the cybersecurity field, recognizing its importance in creating a more inclusive digital landscape.

Justin's current mission is to raise awareness about the intersection of accessibility and cybersecurity.

He is dedicated to educating others in the industry about this critical issue, aiming to effect meaningful change and foster a more inclusive approach to cybersecurity practices.

As a speaker at events like axe-con, Justin shares his insights and experiences, contributing to broader discussions about the future of cybersecurity and its role in creating a more accessible digital world.

His work exemplifies the evolving nature of cybersecurity, highlighting the need for professionals in the field to consider diverse perspectives and needs in their security strategies.

Pro Tip for Connecting with Justin

To connect meaningfully with Justin, approach him with a genuine commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, key values he champions in cybersecurity.

He’s more than a decision-maker; he’s an advocate for making security tools accessible for all users, including those with disabilities.

If you’re a vendor, come prepared to discuss how your products are designed to support accessibility standards, like WCAG, and provide specifics on how these features meet the needs of diverse users.

Justin values transparency and sincerity, so if your tool isn’t fully accessible yet, be upfront and outline your roadmap for accessibility improvements.

Sharing how your organization aligns with his vision of inclusivity, or how you’ve considered global markets with accessibility in mind, will resonate with him.

Remember that small gestures matter—demonstrate thoughtfulness, whether through personalized engagement or small tokens of appreciation.

By showing you respect accessibility as an integral part of security, rather than a secondary feature, you’ll leave a lasting, positive impression with Justin.

Insights and Key Takeaways

Accessibility is Essential, Not Optional, in Security Tools

Insight: In cybersecurity, accessibility is often an afterthought, yet Justin believes it should be a top priority. With many security tools lacking design features for accessibility, individuals with disabilities face unnecessary challenges, from using screen readers to navigating complex interfaces.

Accessibility isn’t just about inclusivity; it’s a critical component of security.

When security tools are inaccessible, organizations risk overlooking vulnerabilities and limiting the effectiveness of their awareness training.

Ensuring accessibility means everyone can actively participate in maintaining security standards, which ultimately strengthens the overall security posture.

Justin’s perspective challenges vendors to think of accessibility as a key design feature rather than a secondary fix, especially as the industry evolves to meet global needs for inclusivity and compliance.

Diversity in Stakeholder Perceptions Underscores the Need for Awareness

Insight: Justin encounters a range of views on accessibility within his organization and across the industry. While some stakeholders recognize its value immediately, others need a more personalized perspective to understand its impact.

Accessibility in security isn’t just about adjusting tools; it’s about cultivating understanding and collaboration across teams.

Justin believes that awareness campaigns can help stakeholders see the connection between accessibility and security, fostering a more inclusive environment.

Security professionals, tooling companies, and educational institutions need to work together to elevate accessibility as a core priority.

By promoting accessibility in security through training sessions and workshops, the industry can make strides toward a universally accessible cybersecurity landscape.

Accessibility as a Decision Criterion—A Game-Changer for Vendor Evaluation

Insight: Justin advocates for accessibility as a key criterion in selecting security tools, encouraging buyers to request Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) from vendors and follow established standards like WCAG.

For buyers, incorporating accessibility into the evaluation process brings greater inclusivity and customer loyalty while aligning with industry standards.

Vendors who proactively make their tools accessible not only attract a broader audience but also position themselves as forward-thinking and socially responsible.

Justin’s call to prioritize accessibility in product evaluation empowers buyers to make choices that benefit individuals with disabilities and contribute to a more inclusive industry.

This shift toward accessibility can set vendors apart in a competitive market, especially as clients increasingly seek solutions that align with their values and compliance requirements.

Accessibility Over Brand Loyalty - A Willingness to Switch

Insight: For Justin, accessibility is so crucial that he’s willing to switch from tools he’s been loyal to if a competitor offers better accessibility features. This stance emphasizes that accessibility can be a powerful differentiator in buyer decisions.

This insight reveals a significant opportunity for vendors: making accessibility a core feature can turn buyers away from their current providers.

Justin’s readiness to abandon product loyalty for accessibility reflects a larger trend in buyer behavior, where companies are increasingly seeking tools that align with their values.

Vendors who prioritize accessibility can attract new customers, retain current ones, and build a reputation for inclusivity and adaptability.

Accessibility can be the deciding factor that reshapes customer loyalty and positions vendors as leaders in an inclusive, evolving industry.

Global Inclusion is a Necessity, Not a Luxury

Insight: Justin advocates for greater global inclusion in cybersecurity, particularly for overlooked regions like Africa. He highlights the need for accessibility in cybersecurity tooling on a worldwide scale, noting that the global community can’t be ignored.

For vendors, this insight serves as a reminder that accessibility isn’t just a domestic issue; it’s a global one.

Expanding accessibility features to cater to diverse markets not only aligns with a commitment to inclusivity but also opens doors to new audiences worldwide.

Justin’s call for global inclusion challenges vendors to think beyond their traditional markets, allowing them to reach regions that are often underserved.

By prioritizing accessibility on a global scale, vendors can contribute to a more inclusive and robust cybersecurity industry that empowers professionals from all backgrounds.

Vendor Behavior Matters - Small Gestures Leave Lasting Impressions

Insight: Justin shares how small, thoughtful actions by vendors can make a significant difference. In one instance, a company left a negative impression through an inappropriate comment, while in another, a simple Frisbee from Traceless IO created a positive memory.

Thoughtful gestures, respectful communication, and genuine engagement can make a vendor stand out in a crowded field.

These seemingly minor actions build goodwill, laying the groundwork for future interactions, even if the buyer doesn’t immediately select the vendor’s product.

Justin’s experience shows that vendor actions and tone during interactions can shape long-term perceptions, influencing future purchasing decisions and recommendations.

TL;DR

As Justin highlights, the cybersecurity industry is at a turning point. Accessibility in security tooling is essential—not only for compliance but also for fostering an inclusive environment that empowers all professionals, regardless of ability.

The path forward is clear: vendors and buyers alike must prioritize accessibility from the design phase, promote it through awareness campaigns, and ensure it’s a key part of the buying decision.

By doing so, the industry can create a more secure and inclusive space that supports professionals worldwide.

Until next time,
Dani