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Cybersecurity and Awareness Training: The Valuable and Essential Nature of the Basics
Data breaches that arise from “insider threats and simple mishaps” have the potential to cost businesses an average of $7.5 million annually, the Harvard Business Review points out. While internal threats can seem like an afterthought for companies, the advancement of technology and the continual prevalence of cyberattacks only underline the need for awareness and training at every level. From the impact of cybersecurity shortcomings to the value of a basic yet comprehensive training program (and a workplace culture that promotes awareness), organizations can prevent internal threats and other cybersecurity issues in simple and effective ways.
The impact of cybersecurity pitfalls
The consequences of a cyberattack can have detrimental effects on a business, regardless as to whether the threat comes from within the organization or not. Loss of intellectual property, reputational harm, and financial ramifications are a few among the consequences involved. To highlight the prevalence of cybersecurity issues today, there was a 20% increase in data breaches from 2022 to 2023, a fact that underlines the urgency behind cybersecurity awareness and a heightened need for action.
Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees: HR’s Role in Creating a Secure Digital Workplace
In regard to internal threats, a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article identifies how such threats come to occur. While it’s possible that an employee may have malicious intent, human error remains a primary factor. “The riskiest of these are well-meaning IT admins, whose complete access to company infrastructure can turn a small mistake into a catastrophe,” the article explains. With that in mind, it’s further noted that the most dangerous aspect of insider threats is the fact that they tend to go undetected due to their nature, as the access and activities originate from trusted systems.
Some inside threats can originate in innocent ways, as it’s possible for an employee to fall victim to a cyberattack through a vessel as simple as email. Phishing is just one prime example — in a phishing attack, threat actors are disguised as legitimate entities in order to trick users into revealing sensitive information, which can then lead to the vulnerability of passwords, financial information, or personal details. Phishing can spread throughout an organization via compromised accounts — once a threat actor gains access to one account, they can then use it to send phishing emails to other employees. As a result, the attack can rapidly spread and cause even more damage. Phishing attacks specifically increased by 1,265% in 2023, partially due to the newfound prevalence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), TechTarget highlights.
Comprehensive education is crucial
Investment in cybersecurity education and training is crucial for any modern business, as it can arm employees with the knowledge to recognize threats as well as the skills to properly address such a matter. Despite its value, however, just 45% of organizations provide employees mandatory, formal cybersecurity training, while another 10% provide optional training, Dark Reading points out. Data from Garnter highlights the fact that the market for information security and risk management will see end-user spending increase significantly from 2022 to 2026. However, Forbes goes on to point out that other research identifies that more than 70% of companies “believe that they wasted 25% to 100% of their cybersecurity budget.” This fact alone underlines the value in a comprehensive and thoughtful cybersecurity strategy before investments are made.
Cybersecurity awareness training should involve a comprehensive education, with the goal being to help employees identify and prevent potential threats. This is particularly important, as some cybersecurity issues can be easy to avoid and prevent. For example, in many cases, phishing emails include misspellings, grammatical errors, or a suspicious link, which can help employees identify and not interact with the potential threat. Through additional measures like communication, smart password habits, multi-factor authentication, and reliable software, employees can remain vigilant through what they’ve learned in their training. However, it’s essential to remember that there’s more to it than a few helpful tips.
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One LinkedIn article by the Security Company (International) Limited outlines several valuable points that cybersecurity training campaigns should entail. This includes the threat landscape and common attacks, data protection and privacy, password and account security, and safety in regard to internet use practices, to highlight a few. Apart from the content itself, however, there are additional strategies to keep in mind in order to promote an effective program. A Verizon Business article explores the various practices that an organization can use in order to implement effective cybersecurity training for employees. A tailored approach, for example, can work to address employees who have different risk levels (remote workers vs. in-office employees, etc.). Another idea involves the creation of an enjoyable cybersecurity awareness training program — popular techniques noted include shorter modules, games, and interactive content. This can help boost knowledge retention as well as engage employees. Other considerations include up-to-date content, and the implementation of expectations through goals like routine training.
Everyday awareness for a strong foundation
A workplace culture that promotes cybersecurity is paramount to the prevention of cybersecurity threats. In many cases, a positive culture in the workplace in regard to cybersecurity can encourage employees to maintain an open line of communication about such matters, from questions to mistakes and beyond. As a result, security matters can be addressed right from the start — an effect that can minimize damage in the event that there is a threat. Additional benefits of a strong workplace culture in relation to cybersecurity includes a proactive workforce, a readiness to tackle and solve problems, and healthy internet use habits.
A TechTarget article reveals several valuable ways that businesses can promote a positive culture in relation to cybersecurity in the workplace. This includes the promotion of responsibility and accountability among employees, which will work to foster an environment “where every employee feels responsible for the organization’s digital safety.” To highlight a few, other tips given include the implementation of advanced security training, which aims to establish continuous learning particularly when it comes to an organization’s unique needs. Additional valuable considerations include the encouragement of cross-departmental collaboration — for example, TechTarget notes that routine cybersecurity meetings and workshops across departments such as security, IT, business operations and executive leadership can work to “facilitate the sharing of insights and best practices.”
Cybersecurity and awareness training remains an absolute necessity, as the risks can bring significant harm to an organization. Through the basics of awareness, a comprehensive program, and a positive workplace culture, businesses can implement a strong and thoughtful approach to cybersecurity going forward.
