What is Cybersecurity?
Today’s organizations are increasingly dependent on integrated technical functionality, not only in each department but also, throughout. With this ever-increasing advancement toward total linked capability, however, comes new and more damaging risks of cyberattacks. And with more and more digitized information being generated and shared, the probability of a large and highly pervasive costly breach exists. But managing and limiting this impact is largely reliant on a trained workforce utilizing the technology and its inherent security weaknesses. Applications and technology are only secure as the people that operate them.
This requirement extends to other businesses and clients, outside of the organization, that also represent possible sources of risks to critical digital and human sharing. This co-reliance for cybersecurity safety, moreover, is exasperated by the trending shift in working from both central and remote locations and adds another dimension to the threat environment.
Cybersecurity is defined as a process that is designed to protect networks and devices from external threats. It is important because it safeguards all categories of data from theft and damage. This includes sensitive data, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems.
Cybersecurity can be categorized into five distinct types:
- Critical infrastructure security – policies, procedures, humans
- Application security.
- Network security – some with 5G offering lower latency and higher bandwidth
- Cloud security.
- Internet of Things (IoT) security – the myriad of new and personal devices that ever-increase the landscape of threat paths providing more entry points for attacks
The recently released Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report for 2022 showed some compelling reasons for an organizational need to both develop a plan for cybersecurity for both regulatory compliance, formal insurability, and create an informed workforce of the risks, the threats, and what each member of the work force must do to better protect the reputation, enable smooth operational functioning, and damaging costs.
From the report: “Ransomware continued its upward trend with an almost 13% increase–a rise as big as the last five years combined (for a total of 25% this year). 82% of breaches involved the human element. Whether it is the Use of stolen credentials, Phishing, Misuse, or simply an Error, people continue to play a very large role in incidents and breaches alike it is important to remember, Ransomware by itself is really just a model of monetizing an organization’s access. Thus, the responsibility is now on the management teams to inform their staff through training and policies.is essential to train employees to recognize and defend against cyberattacks. Thorough and widespread cyber-security awareness training to all members of the organization plays a vital role in providing additional critical protection to an organization.”
So, what are the benefits of cybersecurity?
The benefits of implementing and maintaining cybersecurity practices include:
- Business protection against cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Protection for data and networks.
- Prevention of unauthorized user access.
- Improved recovery time after a breach.
- Protection for end users and endpoint devices.
- Regulatory compliance.
- Business continuity.
- Improved confidence in the company’s reputation and trust for developers, partners, customers, stakeholders, and employees.
Maintaining cybersecurity in a constantly evolving threat landscape is a challenge for all organizations. Traditional reactive approaches, in which resources were put toward protecting systems against the biggest known threats, while lesser-known threats were undefended, is no longer a sufficient tactic. To keep up with changing security risks, a more proactive and adaptive approach is necessary. For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends adopting continuous monitoring and real-time assessments as part of a risk assessment framework to defend against known and unknown threats. The number of cyberattacks is expected to increase in the near future. Moreover, increased entry points for attacks, such as with the arrival of the internet of things (IoT), increase the need to secure networks and devices. One of the most problematic elements of cybersecurity is the evolving nature of security risks. As new technologies emerge, and as technology is used in new or different ways, new attack avenues are developed.
And what are the different types of cybersecurity threats?
The process of keeping up with new technologies, security trends and threat intelligence is a challenging task. It is necessary in order to protect information and other assets from cyber threats, which take many forms. Major types of cyber threats include:
- Malware is a form of malicious software in which any file or program can be used to harm a computer user. This includes worms, viruses, Trojans, and spyware.
- Ransomware is another type of malware. It involves an attacker locking the victim’s computer system files — typically through encryption — and demanding payment to decrypt and unlock them.
- Social engineering is an attack that relies on human interaction to trick users into breaking security procedures to gain sensitive information that is typically protected.
- Phishing is a form of social engineering where a fraudulent email with messages that resemble those from reputable or known sources are sent. attempts to trick victims into clicking on fraudulent links in emails. The link typically takes the victim to a seemingly legitimate form that asks them to type in their usernames, passwords, account numbers, or other private information. Often random attacks, the intent of these messages is to steal sensitive data, such as credit card or login information.
- Smishing – similar to phishing, delivered except that it comes in the form of a text message (SMS/text message). A smishing text will often contain a fraudulent link that takes victims to a form that is used to steal their information. The link may also download malware such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, or adware onto the victim’s device.
- Vishing – Fraudulent calls or voicemails fall under the category of “vishing.” Scammers call potential victims, often using prerecorded robocalls, pretending to be a legitimate company to solicit personal information from a victim. Deliver mechanisms include not only robocalls but also phone, voicemail, and voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP)
- Spear phishing is a type of phishing attack that has an intended target user, organization, or business
- Insider threats are security breaches or losses caused by humans — for example, employees, contractors, or customers. Insider threats can be malicious or negligent in nature.
- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are those in which multiple systems disrupt the traffic of a targeted system, such as a server, website, or another network resource. By flooding the target with messages, connection requests or packets, the attackers can slow the system or crash it, preventing legitimate traffic from using it.
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are prolonged targeted attacks in which an attacker infiltrates a network and remains undetected for long periods of time with the aim to steal data.
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks are eavesdropping attacks that involve an attacker intercepting and relaying messages between two parties who believe they are communicating with each other.
Other common attacks include botnets, drive-by-download attacks, exploit kits, malvertising, vishing, credential stuffing attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, SQL injection attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and zero-day exploits.
Moreover, new automated technologies are being developed that are focused on increased accuracy and potency of threat vectors as well as methods of detection and prevention/mitigation. So, automation is a double-sided blade – used to hack in and capture sensitive information by threat agents as well as a mechanism to protect against breaches. Automation has become an integral component to keep companies protected from the growing number and sophistication of cyber threats. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in areas with high-volume data streams can help improve cybersecurity in three main categories:
- Threat detection. AI/ML platforms can analyze data and recognize known threats, as well as predict novel threats.
- Threat response. AI/ML platforms also create and automatically enact security protections.
- Human augmentation. Security pros are often overloaded with alerts and repetitive tasks. AI/ML can help eliminate alert fatigue by automatically triaging low-risk alarms and automating big data analysis and other repetitive tasks, freeing humans for more sophisticated tasks.
Other benefits of automation in cybersecurity include attack classification, malware classification, traffic analysis, compliance analysis and more.
Understanding the Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness Training
According to reports, around 90% of security breaches caused by humans occur due to human errors. Preventing mistakes by human negligence is almost impossible. However, thoughtful, and systematic awareness training can help to cut the risks and thus, significantly prevent the loss of money and brand reputation. An effective cybersecurity awareness training focuses on security mistakes committed by employees and the digital creation and sharing of operational data from the applications relevant to their organizational tasks and responsibilities.
Let’s take a look at factors that make cybersecurity awareness training important.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training Should Include
Cybersecurity awareness training is an essential for the not only for the IT department but also all of the employees of the organization. It is impossible to imagine a company working without awareness of security threats. Therefore, cybersecurity awareness training is necessary to keep check on organization threats and preventing their invasion of the organization’s critical operational systems. Training is not limited to instructing the employees. Rather, it should be installing up-to-date technology to prevent cyberattacks. Upgrading old versions of security protocols with the state-of-the-art systems is important. Knowing the networks, its servers, its data storage locations, its data applications, its customers, its supply chains, and its data endpoints is essential.
A wholesome cybersecurity awareness training includes guidance on the following aspects for all personnel relative to job responsibilities and interaction with digitized organizational assets. A critical dimension of the training is an understanding of what constitutes good security in any digitized operational environment; namely, the need to understand that:
Information System Security is designed to:
– Protect systems and data against intrusion.
– Prevent unauthorized access to or modification of information – timely and accurate; and
– Have information accessible to authorized users
– Uphold the three primary corner stones of Information Security
- Confidentiality – Information is not disclosed to unauthorized personnel
- Integrity – Protect information from unauthorized modification or destruction
- Availability – Uninterrupted access to critical systems, resources, or data to authorized personnel; Ransomware is a form of breach that denies this key aspect, but confidentiality and integrity are also often violated
Thus, making sure that only the right people, get the right information, at the right time!
You cannot have Privacy without Security and the above characteristics of good security are the lynchpins of Cybersecurity.
Examples of Covered Topical Areas:
CEO frauds
Helping employees to understand how cyber attackers impersonate a high-level executive to defraud an organization. Such frauds are on peak nowadays. It can only be prevented through careful mindset.
Cyber hygiene
Training employees on the best practices to protect confidential documents, computer systems, desks, buildings, and screens. Just like personal hygiene, cyber hygiene is critical too. It helps you to get rid of unseen threats.
Insider threats
Guiding employees on recognizing threats coming from within the organization. Preventing and dealing with insider threats. Most errors come from employees. Hence, monitoring internal cyber activities is essential. By proper training and information, workers can overcome inner problems.
Data breach laws
Introduction to compliance for HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI. It is mandatory for employees to be aware of compliance laws. On failing to follow data breach laws, organizations can suffer major financial losses. Also, legal actions can be taken against the firm. This results in permanent loss of reputation and good impression. Consumers may lose trust hence customer churn might take place.
Data in motion
Guiding employees to understand the vulnerability of data in motion and protecting it. Careful transfer of data from source to receiver is important. Employees should ensure that no third-party steals data on its way.
Phishing awareness
Employees are trained to recognize wrongful emails with the potential of phishing. Many unwanted threats enter into the system through emails. Unaware of the severe consequences, employees play along going to the links.
Password security
Instructions are provided on using strong passwords, excluding personal passwords. Weak passwords allow hackers to infiltrate as soon as possible. Training on using strong passwords and securing them is necessary. Also, security vaults must be installed in place.
Privacy issues
Details on protection of sensitive data of employees, consumers, partners, and third parties. Consumers are the most valuable asset of any organization. Also, employees are incredibly important human resources. Hence, their data privacy should be the highest priority for any organization. It can be ensured through conscious efforts of training workers in a company and keeping them abreast of changing threats and how to handle them.
How do you create cybersecurity awareness?
Collaboration across departments
An essential component of security awareness training is collaboration. Connections between and across work departments makes communication possible. To achieve performance goals, this practice is necessary. Every new employee must be introduced to cyber laws and practices as part of the onboarding process. Security should be stressed everyone’s need and responsibility. Executive level professionals must be kept aware regarding training and policies. Make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding cybersecurity and promote an environment of clear communication and cooperation.
Using relevant data
By employing relevant data on real-time security threats, training programs can be implemented. The training organizers must demonstrate the impact of security threats in real-time. Also, conveying the importance of training and appropriate security countermeasures. Demonstration is the ideal way to communicate the relevance of training. Showing the employees, the true cost of modern cyber threats will help to motivate them.
Integrating hi-tech systems
Prediction models are a valuable addition to the security protocol in cyber systems. It is an important security element that is based on artificial intelligence. AI based prediction modeling safeguards organizations against future threats. It enables determining the timings of cyber-attacks on an organization. Mostly, it gives upper edge to the companies in defending their data and mitigating threats. The cyber awareness training focuses on teaching the employees about the machine learning systems. Also, learning the measures to take when a threat comes into picture.
Random security threat simulations
Organizations must test the understanding of their employees by conducting random security threat simulations.
Communication is the key
Undoubtedly, communication is vital to maintain security in an organization. Lack of understanding will only increase the chances of data breach. Therefore, clear conversations regarding security threat expectations, revising policies, and implementing guidelines should be made. Having a visible leader for keeping the employees informed and engaged is also important. Every employee from the top down to the lowest rank should have a general knowledge of the cybersecurity policies and procedures and be trained in those areas that are pertinent to their respective duties.
How effective is cybersecurity awareness training?
Fortunately, organizations can strongly defend against hackers with cybersecurity systems. The biggest aid in defense is the cybersecurity awareness training to the employees. Being mindful of daily cyber activities in the organization is very important. The employees must be thoroughly aware about the dangers associated with web browsing, email interaction, and online activities. A smart business leader will ensure that everyone considers cybersecurity a priority. Considering it an essential part of daily role fulfills the objective of cybersecurity training.
According to IBM, the cost of a data breach is around $4.24 million. Around 38% of businesses suffer loss due to data breach and attack. More than half of the financial losses are from cyber threats. Therefore, training the workforce to detect attacks before time is essential. Through this training, the risks of security breach can be reduced significantly. IT departments and the managers should be open to detect suspicious activities. Remaining informed about ransomware infection and phishing might actually help in preventing an attack.
Cybersecurity awareness training becomes highly successful when it becomes a part of work culture. Employees who proactively and willingly embrace cybersecurity practices create a lasting culture. By including awareness in personal and professional environments, they bring in an environment of protection.
How long is Cyber awareness training good for?
Cybersecurity is a practice or a culture. It is not a one-time activity that would prevent an organization from future threats. Indeed, training of new employees and executives will keep hackers at bay. It is essential that everyone in the organization receives training on an ongoing basis as the threat landscape and delivery mechanisms evolve. Whenever possible, training should be hands-on, when and where appropriate. Cyber awareness training is most effective through regular practice and reminders. To do so, the cyber awareness training must be held at least annually. And ongoing evaluations should be conducted regularly by someone in IT.
How much does security awareness training cost?
The cost of cybersecurity awareness training varies depending upon the size of organization and the number of distinct geographical locations. Mostly, there are different categories for cybersecurity awareness training cost. These categories are based on the training packages opted by the organization. The lower cost security awareness training packages include basic hands-on practical training for cybersecurity. The higher cost packages include a wider range of cybersecurity training modules along with specific add-ons.
Final words
In today’s rapidly expanding digitized environment coupled with more aggressive and focused breach weapons, good cybersecurity, both technologically and human-based, are essential for continued operational success. Trained employees provide a key first-line of protection that can save an organization!
CMIT Solutions of Monmouth County North
CMIT Solutions realizes the importance of understanding the discreet business environment unique to every organization and crafts the necessary cybersecurity training program that matches it. Their cybersecurity awareness training will help to keep a check on data security, email attacks, and regulatory compliance readiness.
732.708.4944