We read or hear about this almost daily – cyberattacks like phishing emails, malware downloads, and data breaches pose a constant threat, capable of crippling businesses and devastating personal lives. But are you taking steps to ensure your business assets and confidential data are really protected? If a bad actor can exploit businesses like Ticketmaster, United Healthcare, Ascencion, and Facebook, they surely can attack your business.
Employee mistakes and not enforcing multi-factor authentication often introduce these threats into business networks, primarily due to a lack of cybersecurity awareness. Many people unknowingly click on phishing links or create weak passwords, making it easier for hackers to gain access.
It’s estimated that 95% of data breaches are due to human error. However, these mistakes are preventable. By building a strong culture of cyber awareness, you can significantly reduce your risks.
The Importance of Cyber Awareness Culture
Think of your organization’s cybersecurity as a chain: strong links make it unbreakable, while weak links make it vulnerable. Employees are the links in this chain. By fostering a culture of cyber awareness, you turn each employee into a strong link, making your entire organization more secure.
Easy Steps to Make a Big Impact
Building a cyber awareness culture doesn’t require complex strategies or expensive training programs. Here are some simple steps you can take to make a big difference.
- Start with Leadership Buy-in
Security is everyone’s responsibility. Get leadership involved! When executives champion cyber awareness, it sends a powerful message to the organization. Leadership can show their commitment by:- Participating in training sessions
- Speaking at security awareness events
- Allocating resources for ongoing initiatives
- Make Security Awareness Fun, Not Boring or Threatening
Cybersecurity training doesn’t have to be dry and boring. Use engaging videos, gamified quizzes, and real-life scenarios to keep employees interested and learning. Interactive modules in which employees navigate a simulated phishing attack or short, animated videos explaining complex security concepts clearly and relatable are effective. And the best part, there are automated tools for providing fun training so there is no investment of time to conduct this by management or IT staff. - Speak Their Language
Communicate with easy to understand content, avoiding technical jargon. Focus on practical advice employees can use in their everyday work. Instead of saying “implement multi-factor authentication,” explain that it adds an extra layer of security, like needing a code from your phone in addition to your password. - Keep it Short and Sweet
Provide short training modules that are easy to digest and remember to keep employees engaged and reinforce key security concepts. - Make Reporting Easy and Encouraged
Employees need to feel comfortable reporting suspicious activity without fear of blame. Create a safe reporting system and acknowledge reports promptly through:- A dedicated email address
- An anonymous reporting hotline
- A designated security liaison employees can approach directly
- Educate Beyond Work
Cybersecurity isn’t just a work issue. Educate employees on how to protect themselves at home, sharing tips on strong passwords, secure Wi-Fi connections, and avoiding public hotspots. Employees who practice good security habits at home are more likely to do so at work. - Leverage Technology
Technology can be a powerful tool for building a cyber-aware culture. Use online training platforms that deliver fun, easy to understand modules and track employee progress. Schedule automated phishing simulations regularly to keep employees on their toes. Tools that bolster employee security include:- Password managers
- Email filtering for spam and phishing
- Automated rules
- DNS filtering
Everyone Plays a Role
Building a culture of cyber awareness is an ongoing process. Repetition is key! Regularly revisit these steps, keep the conversation going, and make security awareness an ongoing part of your organization’s environment. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. By fostering a culture of cyber awareness, your business benefits by equipping everyone in your organization with the knowledge and tools to stay safe online. Empowered employees become your strongest defense against cyber threats.
Need help with email filtering, employee security awareness training, or security rules setup? Contact us today as there are many tools we offer to help mitigate your cybersecurity risks.