Employees are often considered the weakest link in an organization’s security defense since human error accounts for 95% of cybersecurity breaches. Human error coupled with the recent increase in cyber-attacks intensifies the need for organizations to invest in education to train their employees on cybersecurity-related issues.
Outlined below are the best practices for organizations as they are building their cybersecurity training for employees.
- Make It A Priority: You cannot expect employees to avoid an online threat if they haven’t been taught how to recognize one. Make cybersecurity training a part of the employee onboarding process. The best way to create awareness around cybersecurity can start on day one.
- Start with Strong Passwords: Creating a strong password is the first and most crucial step to protecting oneself online. Organizations should establish strong guidelines for passwords including length, characters, and time between updating. Encourage employees to use multi-factor authentication when applicable.
- Train Employees on Signs of a Phishing Attack: Phishing scams are the leading cause of cyber-attacks worldwide, and training employees on how to spot some of the obvious signs can save your organization from a data breach. Teach employees to never open any suspicious attachments, to always check hyperlinks are secure, and urge them to look for inconsistencies in email addresses. Additionally, set up an email inbox where employees can send any suspected phishing attempts, so they have a protocol on what to do should they receive one.
- Update Employees on New Online Threats: Hackers are constantly evolving, so your organization needs to update training regularly. It is important to keep employees up to date on all cybersecurity-related issues. Also, having regular and consistent training will keep cybersecurity top of mind for all employees.
- Test, Test, and Test Again: Even with consistent training and strong policies, humans can still fall victim to security threats. Establish a program to test employees on how to properly identify phishing attempts. By setting up and sending common phishing emails internally, you can identify employees that need additional training and reward those who can correctly identify an attack.
Whether you train in-person or remotely, by giving employees the tools they need to be more cyber aware, you are decreasing the biggest threat to your organization, saving money, and preventing a data breach.
