The fact that cybercrime is on the rise is a foregone conclusion. Organizations of all types are at risk. After all, data is currently the hottest commodity, and this is something all businesses have access to. Thus, these companies are equally at risk.
Of course, most businesses have already taken a number of steps to improve the security of their networks and systems. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough. At the end of the day, employees still remain the greatest risk to a company’s cybersecurity.
It is estimated that close to 50 percent of data breaches or leaks are due to employee negligence. Even when workers aren’t making these kinds of mistakes, they are still responsible for a number of other cybersecurity errors. These include providing hackers direct access to company information through phishing emails, downloads, and more.
This is why more companies need to be focused on building a cybersecurity culture. In the end, it will prove to be the only real precaution against soaring cybercrime rates. If this is something you are interested in, here is what you will need to do:
Screen Employees Better
When most people think of cybercrime, they are focused on external threats. This includes hackers, malicious software, and more. Many individuals fail to think about the person in their organization who may work against the company’s best interests.
Now, if you think this sounds like a corporate espionage movie, think again. According to the data, more than 15 percent of attacks are due to malicious insiders. So, what does this mean? Well, it shows that the bad guys on the inside have the easiest time getting the information they need.
This, of course, doesn’t really come as too much of a surprise. As an existing employees, most people will have considerable access to the system. Even if this is restricted, they will still find it easy to get into the network with the current level of access.
To curtail these incidents, you need to hire people – top-level employees, in particular – more carefully. This is the only real way to avoid sensitive, internal information from getting into the wrong hands. To manage this, you must improve your hiring practices. Above all, start running background checks with the help of online services like .
Start with the Fundamentals
It is easy to imagine in this age of tech that most people have the basic knowledge and skills when it comes to cybersecurity. Well, there is a good chance you are mistaken about this. Not only are most people unaware of what measures to take, but they are also uninformed when it comes to the common risks involved. This is especially true of an older workforce that didn’t grow up side by side with technology.
So, before you jump ahead to the more advanced concepts, start with the fundamental topics. You will be surprised to learn just how helpful this kind of knowledge could be to your employees. Even if you end up repeating information that people already know, at least it will serve as a reminder.
Improve the Quality of Training
Have you ever sat through a cybersecurity training seminar? They are uninspired, to say the least. If this is how the training program at your own company will be like, you can be sure that you won’t see the results you want.
For one thing, your employees will lose interest in the topic early on. What’s more, they aren’t going to be able to absorb, let alone utilize, any tactics that don’t have real-world relevance. Thus, you need to plan out the training a little better.
To start with, try to make sure that it is as interactive as possible. Simply listening to speeches and lectures aren’t going to do the trick. Your workers need to have hands-on training and experience on how to avoid and report any cybercrimes.
Also, when employees are provided with real-life examples, they can better understand the concepts and the risks. In turn, they will be more likely to take on greater responsibility for the company’s cybersecurity structure.
Have a Clear-Cut Strategy in Place
It is important to realize that there are so many precautions you can take. Even with the latest security measures in place and fully competent employees, your company may still be vulnerable to getting hacked. After all, cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to get into the system. It can be difficult for you and your workers to always stay on top of things.
This is why your employees need to know what to do when a breach does take place. Taking immediate action can minimize the data that leaks out. At the very least, it ensures that the right people are informed and can begin working on the problem at once.
Write out a step-by-step manual that each employee should receive training on. It is also a good idea to keep this on everyone’s desk so they can turn to it during emergencies. Everyone should be provided with a list of numbers they can call for prompt information.
On a similar note, it is important not to assign blame in such instances. If you take a harsh stance against employees who cause breaches, then you will create an atmosphere of dread. Workers will then be less likely to report breaches when they happen, for fear of repercussions.
It should go without saying that you need a strong cybersecurity culture in your company. This is regardless of how small or insignificant your business may seem. As cybercrimes become more sophisticated and prevalent, everyone needs to be involved in preventing them.
This will prove to be the only way to stave off such attacks. The information above will go a long way in allowing you to set up the right cybersecurity culture in your workplace. So, make sure to include these tips in your future cybersecurity plans.
