Cyber security is not just the IT department’s responsibility – every employee plays an important role in protecting sensitive data and maintaining the overall security of the company. Improving cyber awareness within your business is essential, as it will better prepare you to defend against cyber threats.
The Importance of Cyber Security Awareness
Cyber security awareness refers to the knowledge and behaviours that help employees recognise and respond to cyber threats. By educating staff about common threats and security best practices, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack.
Steps to Raise Cyber Awareness
1. Develop a Cyber Security Awareness Training Program
- Incorporate interactive modules, quizzes, and real-world scenarios to make training engaging.
- Keep the training content up-to-date with the latest cyber security trends and threat intelligence.
- Customise training based on employee roles and responsibilities, to address specific risks they may encounter.
2. Promote a Security-First Culture
- Ensure that executives and managers lead by example, emphasising the importance of cyber security in their speech and actions.
- Encourage employees to report suspicious activities without fear of repercussions. Establish clear reporting channels.
- Reward employees who demonstrate excellent cyber security practices or identify potential threats.
3. Phishing Simulation Exercises
- Conduct regular simulations to test employees’ ability to recognise and respond to phishing attempts. Use the results to provide targeted feedback and additional training as required.
4. Implement Strong Security Policies
- Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all necessary systems.
- Ensure all company devices are encrypted, and have up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software.
- Use a zero-trust framework to limit the potential for human error.
5. Regular Security Assessments
- Conduct regular security assessments and audits, to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security policies. Share the findings with employees and use them as learning opportunities.
6. Use Real-World Examples
- Share case studies of recent cyber incidents relevant to your industry. Discuss what went wrong, the impact of the breach, and how it could have been prevented. This helps employees understand the real-world implications of poor cyber security practices.
7. Engage Employees Through Workshops and Seminars
- Organise workshops, seminars, and webinars with cyber security experts. These sessions can provide in-depth knowledge and answer employees’ questions about emerging threats and best practices.
8. Create Cyber Security Champions
- Identify and train cyber security champions within each department. These individuals can serve as the first point of contact for security-related queries, and help reinforce best practices among their peers.
9. Leverage Technology for Ongoing Education
- Use digital platforms to deliver continuous education on cyber security. This can include short video tutorials, newsletters, and infographics highlighting key security tips and updates.
10. Encourage Personal Responsibility
- Establish the importance of personal responsibility. Encourage employees to apply the same security principles at home as they do at work, so that it becomes a habit.
Measuring the Success of Cyber Security Awareness Training Programs
To understand how much of an impact your cyber awareness initiatives are having, it is important to review them. Use the following metrics to gauge success:
- Phishing Test Results: Track the number of employees who successfully identify phishing attempts over time.
- Incident Reporting Rates: Monitor the frequency and accuracy of reported suspicious activities.
- Training Completion Rates: Determine how many staff are completing, or actively partaking in, cyber security training.
- Security Incident Reduction: Assess whether there has been a reduction in the number of security incidents caused by human error.
- Compliance: Measure staff behaviour against cyber security frameworks like the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) ‘Essential 8’.
Turn Your Staff into Your Strongest Defence
Raising cyber awareness within your business is a continuous effort that requires commitment from all levels of the company. By developing training programs, promoting a security-first culture, and holding yourself to standards such as those set by the ACSC, you can significantly improve your business’ cyber defence.
Pronet can help take your employees’ cyber awareness to the next level, with custom security training solutions designed for your company’s needs. Our methods ensure compliance with the Essential 8, and turn your employees into a human firewall capable of stopping almost any threat. Learn more about our security awareness training today.
