With 10 years under its belt, Cyber Security Awareness Month forces us to look at the cracks in our personal and professional security and gives us the opportunity to fill in the holes before the unthinkable happens.
Cyber Security Awareness Month: what are the most pressing security issues this year?
This year’s theme, ’see yourself in cyber’, relates directly to the human element of cyber security which, over the years, has been undervalued as a risk. Unbelievably, according to Verizon’s 2022 Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involve the human element, the entry point of which ranges from social engineering campaigns (such as the one that recently breached Uber) to simple phishing emails.
Without the correct training, targeted individuals, whether it is in a personal or professional setting, can easily fall victim to these scams: allowing hackers to gain access and cause destruction in the blink of an eye. Though no one believes it is going to be them, it’s important for everyone to be on the lookout for techniques that can catch many people unaware. When it comes to cyber security, everyone needs to see themselves as part of the solution.
Why is it so important to train your employees?
Creating a culture of security at your organisation is the first step in ensuring you are covered from all angles from cyber threats and, though every company knows about the importance of technological defences, human defences are equally important. This means that having your employees up to date on all the new techniques that scammers are using should be at the top of your security list.
Data breaches not only affect how a company runs but also how it is perceived. A recent survey by Arcserve showed that ‘nearly 2 out of 3 consumers would likely avoid doing business with a business that had experienced a cyber attack in the past year.’ This means that leaving your employees vulnerable might affect how many customers you have in the future.
What is cyber security awareness training and how often should you do it?
Cyber security awareness training can span many different topics. The most popular look at phishing scams, how to spot secure sites and links, changing passwords and when you should or shouldn’t be sharing information. These are incredibly important for everyone in your organisation to be aware of, not just those who work in security. The 2022 Cyber Breaches survey suggests that ‘just under one in five businesses (17%) and charities (19%) provided training or awareness raising sessions specifically for those not directly involved in cyber security, however, there is no reason why a person outside of your cyber security team can’t be targeted.
It also needs to be persistent and regular to ensure the information is being digested and understood consistently. This also means that employees can keep up to date with the newest social engineering campaigns, which get increasingly sophisticated every year.
How can we help?
Our cyber security awareness training encompasses all the top problems that employees will be facing when it comes to security, covering both training and constant vigilance. It is fully managed, allowing companies to relax in the knowledge that their security is being monitored from all angles. Less costly than a security breach, it is well worth the investment.
Find out more about security awareness training, or call us on 01256 379 977 to speak to us about how it all works.
