Blog | How to educate your workforce about cybersecurity

How to educate your workforce about cybersecurity

In modern work environments, it’s important that all employees know how to handle sensitive data. As technology has advanced, so have criminals and the methods they use to compromise businesses. The most effective way to keep on top of cybersecurity is by regularly assessing the robustness of your infrastructure and educating your employees so that their knowledge is in-depth and up-to-date.

What should I educate my employees on?

When it comes to educating your employees about cybersecurity, you should be as thorough as possible. However, we understand that it’s not necessarily possible to educate all of your employees about every single security threat that’s out there.

If you’re looking for a list of useful and realistic tips to educate your employees on then look no further…

Passwords

Passwords are required for accessing devices and accounts in which sensitive or personal data is stored. For businesses, it’s vital that all staff utilise passwords effectively. Implementing a robust password policy and training your employees on what makes a strong password is essential for business security. It’s good practice to ensure that all passwords follow this criteria as a minimum…

All passwords should be at least 8 characters long.
Include a mix of upper and lowercase letters.
Include a range of numbers.
Include symbols and special characters.

All passwords should also be changed every three months for maximum security. Setting an automatic reminder for your employees is a great way to keep on top of this.

Emails

Being vigilant and responsible with emails is imperative when it comes to cyber security. Make sure your employees are educated on cyber security threats and malicious techniques such as phishing. Here are a few things to consider before accepting and opening emails:

Is the email from someone you or your staff know?
Were you or your staff expecting the email and its contents?
Does the email pass your anti-virus tests?
Does the email look odd or seem out of character?
Does the email include unusual characters or misspelled words?
Is the sender someone who you or your staff have had previous emails from?

Malicious links

Almost everyone uses the internet on a daily basis. This is especially true in the workplace. Training your employees on how to identify suspicious links and on the importance of not clicking links unless they’re from a reputable website is a necessity when it comes to cyber security. Malicious links can cause harmful malware to be downloaded, infecting your business’ systems and hardware. Having a knowledgeable and forward-thinking workforce drastically reduces your risk of falling victim to a cyberattack as a direct result of human error.

Unauthorised software

Any software that isn’t approved by your IT team can be a danger to your systems, especially if it’s not licensed software. For example, software made by Adobe is more likely to be safer than custom software from a GitHub repository. A good way to stay on top of this is by making sure your employees don’t have admin access to install software from any source.

Mobile devices

If your business utilises mobile devices for work purposes, it’s important that a mobile device policy is put in place and that it is understood by your employees. This is because sensitive business data can be accessed on these devices and overlooking security can cause important files and information to be compromised. It’s important to educate your employees on how they can maximise mobile device security regularly, after all, your biggest vulnerability is your people.

Mobile device management (MDM) is a great tool for managing your business’ handsets. It allows you to restrict access to certain websites, initiate software and firmware updates remotely, and wipe data from your devices should they be lost or stolen.

Protecting resources

If your employees are using laptops, it’s crucial that they understand how valuable they are. Not just from a cost standpoint, but by the value of the information and data stored on them too. Ensuring that screens are locked when walking away from your device prevents criminals from swooping in and accessing your sensitive data. Ensuring all devices are up-to-date with the latest firmware and software updates also greatly reduces the risk of your devices being compromised. This can be enhanced further with the installation of anti-virus software. It’s also vital that you regularly back up all of your data so that it is retrievable if the worst should happen and a device goes missing.

In certain situations, such as on public transport, accessories such as laptop locks can prevent your devices from being stolen. However, we always recommend that you never leave your devices unattended and that you store them in discreet locations to minimise the risk of theft.

Social engineering

Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics to gain the trust of your employees, enticing them to click on a link or provide access to a system or account so that they can steal information or install malicious malware. Make sure that your employees are aware of the common techniques used by these criminals to make them more vigilant and reduce the risk of endangering your systems.

Company data responsibility

It’s important to emphasise the importance of company data and your employees’ responsibilities when it comes to protecting it. Not only is data protection necessary for the company, it’s a requirement by law that employees respect the confidentiality and integrity of your company data.

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Why should I educate my employees?

Keeping your employees aware of security risks, procedures and policies is one of the most effective ways to protect your business from cyberattacks. This is especially important when it comes to resisting social engineering attempts, as they target people directly rather than your systems. As technology develops and advances, so do malicious programs and software. For this reason, it’s important to regularly educate your staff on the latest threats and security processes. Security awareness across your users can transform your business from a vulnerable target to a stronghold of data.

What can I use to educate my employees?

One of the best ways to keep your employees up-to-date with their security awareness is by using Barracuda Security Awareness Training. Barracuda has developed software that doesn’t just educate your employees, it puts their knowledge to the test with its threat simulation feature. Monitor how your employees respond to simulated malicious emails and identify where your biggest vulnerabilities are. This way you can tailor an education program to those who are most susceptible to clicking on fraudulent emails, links, and files.

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If you want to learn more about how you can educate your employees and protect your business from inbound cyber threats, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our knowledgeable and friendly team of IT security professionals will take the time to understand your unique business and make informed recommendations on how to boost cyber security from the ground up.

How to educate your workforce about cybersecurity

What should I educate my employees on?

Passwords

Emails

Malicious links

Unauthorised software

Mobile devices

Protecting resources

Social engineering

Company data responsibility

Free review of your business’ communications

Why should I educate my employees?

What can I use to educate my employees?

Contact our team today

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