Organisations of all sizes are under constant threat from malicious actors. To safeguard sensitive information, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure the resilience of your cyber security infrastructure, you must prioritise security awareness training for your staff.
This article will delve into the importance of this training, its relevance to various regulatory frameworks, and how to make it an integral part of your organisation's security posture.
- Protection against phishing: Educating staff on recognising and avoiding phishing attempts is crucial, as these attacks are often the entry point for cybercriminals.
- Mitigating insider threats: Employees who are aware of the risks they pose are less likely to become unwitting accomplices or threats themselves. Employees can also spot suspicious insider activity and report it.
- Regulatory compliance: Compliance with regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability), or CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) is imperative, and staff awareness training is a key component of meeting these requirements to avoid financial and legal ramifications for your organisation.
- Data security: Staff members who understand the value of data are more likely to take security measures seriously, thus safeguarding your organisation's assets.
- Reducing human errors: Awareness training can significantly decrease human errors, which are a leading cause of data breaches. Training, simulations, and games train new and safer behaviours into employees, reducing the likelihood of human errors.
- Creating a security culture: An organisation with a strong security culture is better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
- Identifying social engineering attacks: Training helps staff recognise various social engineering tactics, such as quishing, vishing, or baiting.
- Protecting company reputation: A data breach can severely damage an organisation's reputation, but a well-trained staff can help minimise such risks and protect your public image.
- Improved incident response: Aware employees can play a crucial role in the early detection and mitigation of security incidents. Many cyber breaches go unnoticed for weeks due to a lack of knowledge amongst employees … with security awareness training, you can cut this time down.
- Cost savings: Preventing a breach through security awareness training is far more cost-effective than dealing with the financial and legal costs of a cyber breach.
Effective security awareness training should cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Security induction: Start new employees off with your company security baseline, protocols, and non-negotiables.
- Password management: Teach employees how to create and manage secure passwords.
- Phishing awareness: Recognising phishing emails, texts, and phone calls, as well as how to report them.
- Social engineering: Understanding manipulative tactics used by cybercriminals so you can spot attacks before they even get a chance to strike.
- Remote and mobile working: This may not apply to all organisations, but remote and mobile working security practices should be included for employees who work in that capacity.
- Safe internet browsing/social media: Educating about malicious websites, downloads, and social media use so employees and organisations can manage their digital footprint and safeguard their data.
- Physical security: Ensuring the safety of company premises from threats like tailgating or unlocked desktops.
- Supply chain security: For large organisations that operate in a complex network of vendors or third-party suppliers, it is vital that your supply chain has the same level of security and awareness as your primary organisation. A vulnerability in your supply chain can compromise your organisation.
- Data protection: Handling sensitive data with care including classification, regulations, and compliance protocols.
- Incident reporting: Encouraging staff to report suspicious activities and how to do so effectively.
- Mobile device security: Safeguarding data on personal and company-issued devices.
TSC produces awareness materials and comprehensive training on all the above topics. We have even more resources on cloud security, emerging threats, seasonal threats, virtual reality, Cyber Security Month and so much more. So do not hesitate to contact us for a demo or a walkthrough of our library.
Security awareness is an ongoing process. It should never stop or be ended.
Conduct initial training for all staff and then reinforce this training periodically. Quarterly or semi-annual refreshers are recommended, while immediate training may be required after major security incidents.
However, please keep in mind that security awareness is not a one-size-fits-all solution. This is why we recommend measuring your security awareness for targeted advice relevant to your organisation.
To assess the effectiveness of security awareness training, organisations can use tools like TSC's SABR (Security Awareness and Behaviour Research). This detailed survey helps measure lax behaviours, identify security gaps, and highlight areas in need of improvement. Continuous assessment and adjustment are essential to ensure that training remains effective in the face of evolving threats.
Partnering with a trusted cyber security training and awareness company like The Security Company Ltd. can make a significant difference in strengthening your organisation's security posture.
With 25 years of experience in enhancing security behaviours through awareness initiatives and training, TSC can help foster a robust security culture and raise awareness of threats and risks across global organisations.
In conclusion, the importance of supporting your staff with security awareness training cannot be overstated. With the growing sophistication of cyber threats, the knowledge and vigilance of your staff are your first line of defence.
By investing in comprehensive security awareness training, you not only protect your organisation but also adhere to regulatory requirements and safeguard your reputation in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
If you would like information about how The Security Company can help you to formulate a cyber security training and awareness program for your organisation or if you would like a demo of our products and services ... please contact us here.
The Security Company's vast library of customised and non-customised products and services are tailored for small, medium and large organisations and are available in a variety of languages. We also offer bespoke solutions for organisations that desire training and awareness materials built from the ground up.
Cyber security and awareness content creator focused on emerging threats and the next wave of cyber security risks like AI, deepfakes and tech 4.0 initiatives in order to build towards a more secure organisational culture.
View Profile
