Absolutely, yes. Unfortunately, many businesses in Simcoe County still neglect this critical aspect. They fail to realize that their employees are often the weakest link in their cybersecurity defenses. Here’s what you should know and do to keep your business IT secure.
Did you know that 95% of data breaches are caused by human error? This alarming statistic highlights the importance of proper training. With adequate training to recognize cyber threats, many of these breaches could have been prevented.
Traditional cybersecurity measures, such as anti-spam, anti-virus, anti-malware, and next-generation firewalls, are essential to reduce the likelihood of a security breach caused by your employees. Effective spam filtering can prevent malicious emails from ever reaching your employees’ inboxes.
While these measures are crucial, they are not sufficient on their own.
An Example of What Can Happen Without Employee Cybersecurity Training
Consider this real-life scenario: An ethical hacker was hired by a bank in Simcoe County to test their cybersecurity. The bank’s employees were unaware of this.
The hacker entered the bank one day, claiming he urgently needed to print some documents for an important presentation. He explained that he had accidentally spilled coffee on his report and needed assistance.
He asked one of the bank’s employees to insert a thumb drive into her computer to print the documents. She complied. Had he been a real hacker, he could have installed malware on the bank’s IT system! With proper training, the employee would never have made this mistake.
What Is Cybersecurity Training?
Cybersecurity training educates your employees about cybersecurity, IT best practices, and regulatory compliance. It is the best way to prepare your employees to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.
A comprehensive cybersecurity awareness program covers various IT, security, and business-related topics, such as:
- Identifying and avoiding phishing and other social engineering attacks.
- Recognizing potential malware behaviors.
- Reporting possible security threats.
- Adhering to company IT policies and best practices.
- Complying with data privacy regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
What Is Cybersecurity Training?
Training begins with a Baseline Awareness Training session for your staff, typically an annual one-hour training that includes facts and case studies.
Subsequently, employees receive weekly, one-minute training updates via email to keep them informed about the latest cybersecurity threats.
Employees will also be subjected to simulated phishing attempts. These are emails that appear to be from trusted sources but contain telltale signs of phishing. This helps establish a baseline score for each employee.
Employees who score lower in these simulations will receive additional, customized training. Each score level has specific training to address the identified weaknesses.
You will receive a written security policy outlining the necessary training for your employees. The risk level of each employee will be assessed, and management will receive a report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of your team’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Do Our Employees Need Regular Training?
Yes, regular training that includes phishing simulations, IT and security best practices, and data protection and compliance training is essential. This approach can:
- Significantly reduce risk.
- Decrease infections and related help desk costs.
- Protect your reputation by reducing breaches.
- Enhance your overall cybersecurity investment.
Employees need frequent reminders about cyber threats, and new threats are constantly emerging. It is crucial to keep both your cybersecurity solutions and your employees up-to-date.
In Conclusion
Your staff plays a crucial role in your cybersecurity efforts. They can either safeguard your assets or become a significant security risk, depending on their level of training.
It’s essential to have your IT network assessed for vulnerabilities and maintain a layered, up-to-date IT security plan. However, the human factor remains the most significant risk.
Your employees can be your greatest asset or your weakest link. It all depends on whether you prioritize data security enough to ensure they receive regular training.
Do your employees have the necessary knowledge to detect cyber threats, avoid common pitfalls, and keep your data secure? Regular training and testing are the only ways to be sure.
Don’t risk being like the bank that could have been hacked. Investing in cybersecurity training is far less costly than dealing with a data breach.
