Article: Five ways to empower employees to stay cybersecure

Learning & Development

By Gabriela Paz Y MiñoOct, 17 2024 @9:30am IST

Your employees are your greatest asset, playing pivotal roles in the success of your business. However, they can also inadvertently put your organisation at risk if not properly trained in cybersecurity practices.

According to Verizon's Data Breach Investigations Report, human error contributed to 82 per cent of data breaches in 2022, with 14 per cent resulting directly from mistakes. This highlights the need to make your staff vigilant and capable of identifying and addressing security threats.

Empowering employees to stay cyber-secure goes beyond having a robust IT and security team. It involves building awareness and fostering a proactive mindset throughout your workforce.

Cybersecurity is a collective effort that requires buy-in from everyone, from the newest employees to top executives. By making security part of your company’s DNA, you’ll reduce the risks of human error and equip your workforce to become active participants in safeguarding your business.

Empowering your employees to stay cyber-secure is a preventative measure and a strategic necessity in today’s digital world. By implementing effective onboarding programs, conducting regular security training, encouraging leadership to model good behavior, merging IT and security teams, and investing in easy-to-use technology, you can create a robust security culture that keeps your organisation safe from evolving threats.

Here are five essential ways to empower your employees to help keep your business secure.

#1 Create Effective Onboarding Programmes

Security should be front and center in your onboarding process. New employees are often the most vulnerable, unfamiliar with the company's security protocols, and can develop bad habits if not guided properly. Statistics show that 25 per cent of new hires lose their jobs due to cybersecurity mistakes, while over one-third admit to having compromised security at some point. Many of these employees hesitate to report errors to IT out of fear, exacerbating the risk.

To prevent this, develop comprehensive onboarding programs that teach new hires about security processes from day one. Whether it's learning how to create strong passwords or recognising phishing scams, introducing these critical security habits early on can significantly reduce mistakes and foster a security-first culture within your organization.

#2 Provide Regular Security Awareness Training

Cybersecurity is not static—new threats emerge daily, and employees must stay informed to remain secure. Regular training sessions can help employees stay updated on the latest threats and reinforce good security habits.

Phishing attacks, for example, are one of the most common types of cyberattacks, yet only 52 per cent of people can accurately identify phishing attempts. Training programmes that focus on recognising phishing emails, using secure passwords, and safely handling sensitive data will empower employees to identify potential threats and mitigate risks before they escalate.

Make cybersecurity training a regular practice. The more informed your employees are, the more vigilant they will be in keeping your business secure.

#3 Ensure Leadership Sets Good Examples

Leadership plays a critical role in shaping organisational culture, including how seriously employees take cybersecurity. Unfortunately, nearly half (49 per cent) of C-suite executives admit bypassing security measures in the past year, which can send the wrong message to their teams.

When senior management disregards security protocols, it can create a ripple effect across the organisation. Employees may assume that cutting corners is acceptable, leading to risky behaviors like weak passwords, sharing sensitive information, or ignoring phishing warnings.

Leaders must set good examples by strictly following security protocols, emphasizing the importance, and encouraging transparency when mistakes occur. When leadership prioritizes cybersecurity, it sends a powerful message throughout the company that security is non-negotiable.

#4 Consider Merging IT and Security Teams

Many companies have separate teams for IT and security, but merging these functions can improve communication and create a more holistic approach to protecting your business. Physical and digital security should work hand in hand to safeguard both the company’s assets and its people.

By consolidating IT and security teams, smaller organisations, in particular, can gain a more comprehensive view of their security posture. This ensures seamless coordination in addressing threats, managing software updates, and responding to incidents swiftly and effectively.

Furthermore, a unified team can streamline processes and make it easier for employees to approach security experts with concerns or questions, further reducing the risk of breaches.

#5 Invest in User-Friendly Security Technology

No matter how well-trained your employees are, they will only be as secure as the tools you provide them. Investing in user-friendly technology simplifies cybersecurity for employees, making it easier for them to follow best practices.

Take passwords, for example. Weak passwords account for 80 per cent of hacking-related breaches, with "123456" being the most popular password worldwide—despite its obvious vulnerabilities. Tools like password managers can automatically generate strong, unique passwords for each account, reducing the chances of a breach.

Additionally, multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of security, requiring more than just a password to access sensitive systems. With the right technology in place, employees won’t have to rely solely on their vigilance to maintain security.

5 tips to stay cybersecure, in a few words:

Ensure new hires learn about security protocols from day one to prevent bad habits.
Keep employees updated on the latest threats through continuous education.
Leaders must follow security protocols to foster a security-first culture.
Improve communication and coordination by integrating IT and security functions.
Use tools like password managers and multi-factor authentication to make security easier for employees.