Protecting your business from cyber security threats should be one of the top priorities for all small and medium-sized enterprises. Cyber security awareness training is an important part of your company’s overall cyber defense strategy – it educates employees on best practices that reduce their risk of falling victim to scams, malware, and other malicious attacks. But with so many areas to consider, where do you start?
In this blog post we’ll discuss the most essential topics that should be covered in a successful employee training program, helping you secure your business information and data against unauthorized access.
EMPLOYEE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING TOPICS
Device and Desktop Security
Main Focus: Protecting computers and devices against unguarded and unauthorized access, including mobile device management.
Password Security
Main Focus: Understanding the importance of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), setting up a strong and secure password or passphrase, and using a password manager. Two or more verification factors have a success rate of 99.9% in stopping unauthorized entry. Considering how much work continues to happen out of the office, 63 percent of people believe workplaces should provide employees with password managers (Bitwarden).
Wireless Network Security
Main Focus: Discuss the unsecured nature of wireless networks, the safety of VPN usage, and how to mitigate Wi-Fi security risks.
Physical Security
Main Focus: Beware of various social engineering techniques and the importance of physically locking down equipment and sensitive information. 68 percent of all breaches involved a non-malicious human element, caused by a person who either fell victim to a social engineering attack or made some type of error (Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report).
Data Privacy & Copyright Protection
Main Focus: Managing data privacy settings properly, know which types of data that are inappropriate to share and how to legally obtain copyrighted materials.
Phishing, Vishing & Smishing
Main Focus: Learn how to detect, prevent, and report various phishing attacks and safeguarding personal and business data. It takes less than 60 seconds for users to fall for phishing emails (Verizon DBIR).
INVEST IN YOUR ORGANIZATION
As the technology that holds our businesses together continues to advance, keeping up with security remains a top priority. Companies must invest in cybersecurity awareness training to educate their staff on best practices and protocols when it comes to protecting corporate data. Periodic cybersecurity awareness training sessions utilizing in-person, web-based and simulated compromise-and-breach-scenarios are the most effective methods to teach and reinforce good behaviors. To ensure your business is making the right investments in its employees’ knowledge of cyber security protocols, contact us to learn more about our cybersecurity awareness training sessions.
Written by: Chris Zambuto | Chief Information Security Officer @CMITBostonCambridge
