Employee Training and Cybersecurity Awareness: Strengthening Your Company’s Defence

Cybersecurity is no longer just a concern for IT companies; businesses are having to take it more seriously too and ensure their employees are up to date on the latest ways in which cybercriminals are infiltrating systems. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the risk of a data breach is higher than ever. One of the most vulnerable points in any organisation’s defence is actually employees – think about how many phishing emails are accidentally opened each year.

That is why employee training and awareness are essential for strengthening your company’s defence as cybercriminals often use social engineering and other attacks to target staff. In this blog we will explore the importance of cyber security training, how to implement an effective programme, and some best practices to help your employees.

Why Cybersecurity Awareness Matters

Cybersecurity breaches often have devastating consequences for businesses, not only financially but they can also damage reputation, leading to a lack of trust with customers. In most cases, these breaches result from simple human mistakes such as using weak passwords. Without proper awareness and training, even the most advanced security systems can be bypassed through phishing emails or downloading malware accidentally.

Technology alone can’t protect your business from cyber attacks, although firewalls and antivirus software are important to have in place. Cybersecurity awareness focuses on reducing the risk caused by human error, which is often the weakness where cybercriminals attack. Employees need to understand how they may be targeted and the actions they can take in order to prevent attacks.

Creating An Effective Cybersecurity Training Programme

The key to creating a cybersecurity training programme that works is to make it relevant and engaging. They should also be regular as one-off training sessions aren’t enough to instill cybersecurity habits and provide employees with the most up-to-date information. Here are a few ways you can build an effective cybersecurity training programme:

1. Start with a risk assessment

Before designing the training program, you need to know exactly what risks your company faces. By conducting a thorough cybersecurity risk assessment you can get an idea of any vulnerabilities in your current systems and where the risks are likely to be higher. This will allow you to tailor your training to address the individual needs of your business.

2. Make cybersecurity relevant to all employees

No matter what management level staff are within the business, whether they are senior management or new hires, everyone plays a role in cybersecurity. Training should be relevant to each employee’s roles and responsibilities, and with the risks they may face. By customising this training, specific risks can be addressed without overwhelming employees with information that isn’t applicable to them.

3. Include the basics

Of course, advanced cybersecurity measures are important, but the basics shouldn’t be neglected. This includes:

• Phishing and social engineering: teach employees how to identify suspicious emails, messages and websites, and how to report them too.
• Password security: teach the importance of strong password and multi-factor authentication, and discourage reusing personal and work passwords.
• Data handling: ensure employees know how to handle sensitive information, particularly regarding encryption.
• Device security: make sure employees understand the importance of keeping their antivirus software updated and avoiding public wi-fi where possible too.

4. Make training regular

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, so training should be regular too. Employees need to be informed about new threats, security policies and best practices. Ongoing training doesn’t always have to be face-to-face, it could be monthly newsletters or webinars.

5. Create a security culture

Effective cybersecurity isn’t just about training, it is about building a culture within your organisation. Employees should feel comfortable reporting potential security threats without the fear of being blamed. Encouraging open communication about cybersecurity will help staff realise that it is a shared responsibility throughout the organisation.

Cybersecurity is not just the responsibility of the IT team anymore, it should be a priority throughout all levels of the business. Employee training and awareness are crucial components to help strengthen your company’s defence.

If you need help protecting your business from cyber threats, why not call our team of experts on 01268 575300, or email us at info@ecl.co.uk to see how we can help.