According to PWC research, 71% of CEOs and business leaders are extremely concerned about a cyberattack. This concern is not just hypothetical you should ensure system is resilient. However, by implementing correct strategies and using of tools organisations can significantly reduce these threats.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19, countries sealed their borders, sports teams cancelled seasons, schools closed, and employees went home. One major change we all witnessed is that the IT industry is shifting toward remote work. As of 2024, around 20% of employees are working fully remotely, while most companies are utilizing a hybrid model. Employee-owned devices, unsecured internet connections, and improper usage of the device are major security concerns for the companies. This is why training employees on Cybersecurity is a must.
In this post, we will discuss reasons why you need to educated employees on Cybersecurity and how you can implement your strategies.
Why is training staff on cybersecurity important?
In an age where data is the “Power” and drives business decisions hence a robust data security strategy is essential to safeguard it from cyber attacks and thefts. For malicious parties, there are many ways to gain control of devices but through human error taking access to the enterprise network is easy as employees often represent the weakest link in a company’s defences. Thus training and educating them on potential threats and best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches caused by human error, like clicking on phishing links, hence educating employees on cybersecurity is important. Staff Augmentation companies are providing trained employees so the client’s data won’t be at risks.
Key reasons why it is necessary:
- Reduces human error – 95% of cybersecurity issues are caused by human error.
- Protect sensitive data – There is a hacker attack every 39 seconds.
- Client’s satisfaction
- Cost savings – the global average data breach cost was $4.88 million in 2023.
How to train employees on cybersecurity?
To minimize the risk of a network intrusion, it’s necessary to bolster your first line of defence against external threats—AKA training your employees on cybersecurity best practices. Here are our expert tips for how to train employees on cyber security, both in-person and remote.
1. Understand your needs
- Evaluate the cybersecurity risks that are specific to your organization (e.g., phishing, ransomware, and any insider threats).
- Then identify the roles and access levels of your employees to customise the training accordingly.
2. Develop a Comprehensive Training Program
- Basic Cyber Hygiene: Trained employees for password security, recognizing phishing emails, and safe internet use.
- Data Protection: Explain to the employees how important is the data and how to protect it.
- Incident Response: Provide guidance when they accidentally click on phishing emails. (e.g., report to IT immediately).
- Role-Specific Training: Provide customise training to employees with higher access levels or responsibilities.
3. Use Interactive and Engaging Formats
- Live workshops and webinars provide employees with opportunities to interact with experts and solve queries.
- E-learning modules with quizzes and real-life scenarios would give employees how to tackle the problems.
- Use gamification (e.g., rewarding employees for identifying phishing attempts).
4. Simulate Real-Life Threats
- Send testing phishing emails every month to test employees’ awareness.
- Take them through use case studies or examples of real-world cyber breaches.
5. Leverage External Expertise
- Provide advanced training partnering with cybersecurity experts.
- Arrange third-party training platforms or tools for cybersecurity education.
6. Incorporate Regular Refresher Training
- Always arrange periodic sessions to keep employees updated on new threats and best practices.
- Share recent cybersecurity developments to employees through emails or newsletters.
7. Create a Cybersecurity Culture
- Establish clear and easily accessible cybersecurity policies.
- Encourage employees a “report without fear” culture for potential breaches.
- Recognize and reward employees for maintaining good cybersecurity practices.
8. Monitor and Evaluate
- Track completion rates and performances in tests.
- Ask employees for feedback to improve the training program.
- Analyse incidents to identify areas where training program can be more strengthen.
By implementing these, you can build a workforce that is vigilant, aware, and proactive in maintaining cybersecurity.
5 Benefits of Educating Employees on Cybersecurity
There are so many advantages for organisations who invest in cybersecurity lets discuss five from those.
1. Safer Storage of Information
Cyber security trainings educate employees on best practices so businesses can better protect client’s sensitive data. Knowledgeable employees are less likely to fall for phishing scams or inadvertently disclose sensitive information.
2. Save Money
Access restrictions on critical data can reduce security breaches caused by over enthusiast employees by doing so chances of cybercrime would be reduced significantly and cost for the same can be save.
3. Boosting Conformity
In industries with strict cybersecurity regulations, ensuring compliance is critical. By investing in comprehensive employee cybersecurity training, companies can strengthen compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid costly fines or penalties.
4. Enhanced Faith in the Market
Companies that care about client’s privacy earn their patronage. By providing cybersecurity training, businesses can show their dedication to data protection and gain client’s trust.
5. Productivity Boost
Trained employees can effectively use available technologies. Organisations that prioritizing and force the employees for cybersecurity training confirms increased productivity and decreased likelihood of system outages.
Final Thoughts
To safeguard your sensitive data against threats it is crucial to invest in cybersecurity training. By implementing a culture of awareness, providing them a tools and knowledge to identify and respond to threats, you can reduce vulnerabilities. Remember, cybersecurity is a responsibility of organisation – empowering and informing employees are the first line of defense.
