In 2018, Nationwide commissioned a survey of 1,000 U.S. business owners, which found that while 76% believe it’s important to establish security practices and policies, only 47% have done so. Despite increased cybersecurity awareness, many companies still lack fully established best practices. Having the right policies, training employees, and holding them accountable can be the difference between a successful business and disaster in the digital age. These ten tips can help keep your business safe.
Key Takeaways
- Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy and ensure employee compliance
- Prioritise employee cybersecurity training to enhance organisational security
- Emphasise the importance of following cybersecurity protocols and hold employees accountable
- Implement robust password management and secure authentication methods
- Foster a culture of cybersecurity vigilance and encourage reporting of suspicious activity
The Importance of Cybersecurity Training for Employees
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift towards remote work, with nearly 8% of employees working from home full-time and over 25% adopting a hybrid work model. This increase in remote work has left companies vulnerable to network intrusions due to the use of employee-owned devices, unsecured connections, and improper device usage.
Statistics Highlighting the Need for Employee Cybersecurity Awareness
According to recent data, 95% of cybersecurity issues are caused by human error, and there is a hacker attack every 39 seconds. The global average data breach cost was £4.45 million in 2023, underscoring the financial impact that cyber threats can have on businesses. As malicious parties may gain control of telework devices, it’s crucial to train employees on cybersecurity training and cybersecurity awareness best practices to minimise the risk of network intrusions.
Common Cybersecurity Threats Faced by Businesses
Businesses of all sizes are confronted with a range of cyber threats, including phishing attacks, ransomware, data breaches, and unauthorised access to sensitive information. Educating employees on recognising and responding to these threats is a critical component of an effective cybersecurity strategy.
Develop a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Policy
Establishing a robust cybersecurity policy is the foundation for effectively training employees on best practices. These policies should be carefully crafted to address key components that safeguard the organisation’s digital assets and outline clear protocols for employee compliance.
Key Components to Include in Your Cybersecurity Policy
A comprehensive cybersecurity policy should encompass guidelines for password management, device usage, data protection, incident response, and other critical security measures. It is essential to document these policies in detail and ensure they align with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Communicating and Enforcing the Policy
Merely distributing the cybersecurity policy documents is not enough; employers must take proactive steps to engage employees in discussions about the policies and their importance. Regularly scheduled training sessions, periodic testing, and clear communication of consequences for non-compliance can help foster a culture of cybersecurity protocol adherence within the organisation.
By developing a well-crafted cybersecurity policy and actively communicating it to employees, businesses can establish a strong foundation for employee compliance and effectively train their staff on the necessary cybersecurity best practices.
Help Employees Understand Cyber Threats
When communicating employee cybersecurity education and training, it’s crucial to use language that is relatable and easy to understand for your workforce. Avoid technical jargon and frame cybersecurity communication in terms of personal device and home network safety, so employees can personally relate to the dangers they face.
Use Relatable and Understandable Language
Framing cybersecurity threats in a way that resonates with employees’ day-to-day experiences can significantly improve their engagement and retention of the material. For example, instead of discussing complex network vulnerabilities, focus on the risks of using public Wi-Fi, sharing passwords, or falling victim to phishing scams. This approach will help employees better grasp the personal implications of cybersecurity breaches.
Diversify Your Communication Strategies
Simply sending another email about cybersecurity policies and training may not be enough to capture your employees’ attention. Diversify your communication methods to ensure the message is received and understood. In addition to written materials, consider hosting in-person discussions, interactive presentations, and utilising visual aids such as informative infographics or videos. This multi-faceted approach will reinforce the importance of employee cybersecurity education and cybersecurity communication.
train staff on cybersecurity, cybersecurity best practices
Employees must understand the serious nature of cyber threats and the importance of following established cybersecurity protocols. This includes steps such as reporting suspicious activity, changing passwords regularly, and keeping software up to date. Make sure employees know that they will be held accountable for any violations of the company’s cybersecurity compliance policies, as their actions can directly impact the entire organisation. Creating a culture of security awareness and personal responsibility is crucial.
Emphasise the Importance of Following Protocol
Ensure that employees grasp the significance of adhering to the company’s cybersecurity protocols. Explain how their diligence in areas like password management, software updates, and reporting suspicious activity can make a tangible difference in protecting the organisation from cyber threats. Emphasise that their individual actions have a direct bearing on the overall cybersecurity posture of the business.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Make it clear to employees that there will be real consequences for failing to follow the established cybersecurity protocols. This could include disciplinary measures, such as written warnings or even termination, depending on the severity of the violation. Stress that employee accountability is essential, as a single security breach caused by an employee’s negligence could jeopardise the entire organisation.
Password Management and Best Practices
In today’s digital landscape, where password security is paramount, businesses must ensure their employees utilise strong passwords and change them regularly. Implementing robust password policies and encouraging password management practices can significantly enhance the overall security of an organisation.
Enforcing Strong Password Policies
Businesses should consider assigning employees unique passwords on a periodic basis, rather than allowing them to create their own. This approach ensures the use of complex, unpredictable passwords that are less susceptible to compromise. Employees must be instructed to keep these passwords secure, both online and offline, preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information.
Regular Password Changes
Alongside enforcing strong password policies, businesses should also mandate regular password changes. This practice helps mitigate the risks associated with password leaks or guesses, as outdated credentials become less useful to potential attackers. By instilling a culture of password management and emphasising the importance of password security, organisations can strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture.
Secure Payment Systems and Data Protection
When it comes to safeguarding payment systems and protecting sensitive data, businesses must collaborate closely with their banks or card processors. This ensures the most trusted and validated payment system security tools and anti-fraud services are utilised. Employees should be thoroughly trained on any additional compliance with financial regulations obligations related to agreements with the bank or processor.
Working with Banks and Processors
Partnering with reputable financial institutions and payment processors is a critical step in maintaining data protection for your business. Employees must understand the importance of following the security protocols established by these trusted providers, as their adherence can directly impact the organisation’s overall compliance and risk exposure.
Isolating Payment Systems
To further enhance security, it is essential to isolate payment systems from other, less secure programmes and applications. Employees should be trained never to use the same computer for processing payments and general internet browsing, as this can introduce vulnerabilities and increase the risk of data breaches.
Data Backup and Recovery Strategies
Safeguarding the company’s data is of utmost importance, as it represents a critical asset that must be protected from potential threats. Employees play a pivotal role in ensuring the data they create and manage is regularly backed up to prevent permanent loss in the event of a disaster, such as hardware failure or cyber attacks.
Importance of Regular Data Backups
Employees need to understand that the data they work with belongs to the organisation and must be kept secure. This means not only shielding it from malicious attacks, but also regularly backing it up to mitigate the risk of data loss. Regular backups can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a catastrophic business disruption.
Backup Methods and Best Practices
Employees should be trained on the company’s preferred data backup methods and best practices. This may include utilising cloud-based data recovery solutions or external hard drives to ensure data is regularly and securely backed up. By embracing these business continuity measures, employees can play a vital role in safeguarding the organisation’s critical information.
Device Management and Security
Proper device management is crucial for maintaining corporate device security and upholding BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies. Employees must understand the importance of using only authorised devices and preventing unauthorised software installation, which can introduce vulnerabilities into the company’s systems.
Authorised Device Usage
Company-issued computers, tablets, mobile phones, or other electronic devices should only be used by employees who are authorised to use those specific devices. Employees must be aware that they should not use any device without authorisation and that they should not allow anyone else to use their devices without authorisation.
Preventing Unauthorised Software Installation
In addition to restricting device usage, employees should be trained on the importance of preventing unauthorised software installation. The installation of unapproved applications can open the door for malicious actors to gain access to the company’s network and sensitive data. Employees must understand the risks associated with installing unsanctioned software and the protocols in place to mitigate these threats.
Web Application Security
Safeguarding web applications is paramount in the modern digital landscape, as attackers frequently seek to exploit vulnerabilities in website code. It is essential that anyone involved in creating or updating web pages for the organisation be trained on secure web development practices.
Secure Web Development Practices
This training is especially crucial for web pages that connect to sensitive information, as these can provide a gateway for cyber criminals to gain unauthorised access. Only those personnel authorised to do so should be permitted to update the company’s websites, and they must be cognisant of the need to adhere to secure coding practices. This helps prevent the introduction of backdoors or other vulnerabilities that could compromise the security of the organisation’s web assets.
By emphasising the importance of web application security and secure coding practices in employee training, businesses can bolster their defences against malicious actors seeking to exploit weaknesses in their online presence. This proactive approach equips the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard the organisation’s digital infrastructure and protect sensitive data from potential breaches.
Email Security and Phishing Awareness
In today’s digital landscape, email has become a prime avenue for criminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals and businesses. As such, it is crucial to educate employees on the importance of email security and phishing awareness.
Identifying Malicious Emails
Employees must be trained to recognise the telltale signs of spam and phishing attempts, such as unusual senders, requests for sensitive information, or malicious attachments and links. By learning to identify these social engineering tactics, they can effectively protect themselves and the organisation from falling victim to potentially devastating cyber threats.
Handling Suspicious Emails
When an employee encounters a suspicious email, it is vital that they know the proper procedures for reporting it to the IT or security team. This ensures that the issue can be investigated and addressed promptly, minimising the risk of a successful attack. Fostering a culture of vigilance and proactive reporting can significantly enhance the overall email security posture of the organisation.
Online Cybersecurity Training Resources
Ensuring your employees are well-versed in cybersecurity training resources and online cybersecurity education is a crucial step in safeguarding your organisation against digital threats. Fortunately, there are numerous free and low-cost options available to supplement your in-house training programmes.
Free and Low-Cost Online Courses
Reputable organisations such as the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Homeland Security, and National Institute of Standards and Technology offer a wealth of cybersecurity training resources in the form of online courses. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from identifying phishing attempts to implementing secure password management practices, and are often available at no cost or for a nominal fee.
Webinars and Video Training
In addition to online courses, many leading cybersecurity and technology firms host regular webinars and video training sessions that provide valuable insights and best practices. These online cybersecurity education resources are an excellent way for employees to stay up-to-date on the latest threats and mitigation strategies, often in an engaging and interactive format.
By leveraging these free and low-cost cybersecurity training resources and online cybersecurity education options, employers can empower their workforce to be the first line of defence against cyber attacks, further strengthening the overall security posture of the organisation.
Encouraging Good Device Ownership
As the rise of remote work continues, it is essential to train employees on the importance of responsible device management, whether they are using corporate or personal devices. By educating employees on the distinctions between personal and corporate device usage, organisations can empower them to exercise greater care and diligence in safeguarding their devices and the sensitive data they contain.
Personal vs. Corporate Device Usage
It is crucial to make it mandatory for employees to have a dedicated work account that is subject to monitoring, restricted installations, and web filtering. This helps to clearly delineate between personal and professional device usage, ensuring that corporate data and systems remain secure even when accessed from an employee’s personal device. By establishing these boundaries, organisations can mitigate the risks associated with lost, stolen, or improperly used devices.
Device Management and Monitoring Solutions
To further enhance employee device security, organisations should implement robust device management and monitoring solutions. These tools enable IT and security teams to remotely manage, secure, and track corporate devices, regardless of their physical location. This includes the ability to enforce software updates, restrict access to unapproved applications, and even remotely wipe devices in the event of loss or theft. By investing in these BYOD policies and device management technologies, businesses can safeguard their networks and data while empowering employees to work productively and securely from anywhere.
Spotting Suspicious Activity
Enhancing employees’ ability to identify suspicious activity is crucial for strengthening cybersecurity vigilance within the organisation. Train them to watch for tell-tale signs, such as the sudden appearance of new apps or programs, strange pop-ups, device slowdowns, and loss of control over the mouse or keyboard. These indicators could suggest potential cyber threats that require immediate attention.
Signs of Potential Cyber Threats
Employees should be educated on the common signs of potential cyber threats, enabling them to promptly identify and respond to any suspicious activity. These include unusual login attempts, unfamiliar email senders, and unexpected system or software changes. Encourage staff to be vigilant and report even minor incidents, as early threat identification can significantly mitigate the impact of a cyber attack.
Reporting Procedures
Establish clear incident reporting procedures and ensure all employees are aware of them. Encourage staff to report any suspicious activity, regardless of how minor it may seem. Emphasise that even false alarms can help the organisation identify and address potential issues, allowing for a proactive and coordinated response to cybersecurity incidents.
Reinforcing Confidentiality and Authentication
Even when working remotely, it is crucial to reinforce the importance of password security and secure authentication methods. Organisations must teach employees about the dangers of using universal passwords and the rationale behind practices like periodic password changes, virtual private networks (VPNs), and multi-factor authentication. Providing concrete examples of data breaches caused by poor password hygiene or unauthorised access can effectively emphasise the need for data confidentiality and strong authentication protocols.
Password Management Best Practices
Employees should be educated on the best practices for password management, including the use of unique, complex passwords for each account, regular password changes, and the importance of keeping passwords secure and confidential. Organisations can also consider implementing password management tools or systems that generate and store strong, unique passwords for each user.
Secure Authentication Methods
In addition to strong password policies, companies should train employees on the use of secure authentication methods, such as two-factor or multi-factor authentication. This can involve the use of mobile apps, security keys, or other devices to provide an additional layer of security beyond just a password. By reinforcing the importance of these authentication methods, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access to sensitive data and systems.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity threats pose a significant risk to businesses of all sizes, and employee training is a crucial component of an effective defence strategy. By developing comprehensive cybersecurity policies, using relatable language and communication strategies, and providing ongoing training and resources, organisations can empower their employees to be the first line of defence against cyber attacks. Implementing these best practices can help safeguard your business and protect your valuable data and assets.
Fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and personal responsibility among employees is vital for the success of any organisation in the digital age. By equipping your workforce with the knowledge and tools to recognise and respond to cyber threats, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches, network intrusions, and other damaging incidents. Investing in employee training programmes that cover a wide range of cybersecurity topics can be a game-changer for the long-term security and resilience of your business.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to stay vigilant and proactive in your approach to safeguarding your organisation. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can take a crucial step towards bolstering your business security and protecting your most valuable assets from the ever-present threat of cyber attacks.