These days, one of the most effective training challenges any business faces is ensuring they protect the integrity of their computer systems and the sensitive data contained in those systems. The data is stark:
- The cost of cybercrime is massive: It costs $2.9 million every minute, and the average cyberattack costs businesses $3.86 million.
- The leading cost of cybercrime? Human error. Employees making mistakes are believed to be responsible for up to 95% of all cybercrimes.
- The rate at which cybercrime is accelerating: An estimated 2,244 cybercrime occurs every day. One cybercrime occurs every 38 seconds.
Thankfully, organizations can protect their systems by training employees. Doing so can reduce the odds of making a massive business mistake that results in a cybercrime or data breach.
Employees Are Among the Most Common Causes of Cybersecurity Breaches
As noted above, human error is responsible for most data breaches and cybercrime. This often happens when an employee makes a mistake that gives an unauthorized user access to a computer system, enabling them to steal sensitive data.
There are many techniques hackers will use to access your security network. They include:
- Phishing, in which a hacker will send an email that appears to be from a legitimate source. This email will almost always have some urgency. For example, it may say your network has been compromised and encourage you to click on a link to fix it. Users may then click on the link and give away their username and password, allowing a hacker to steal network credentials and gain access to the system.
- Viruses or Trojans, in which individuals will install a malicious piece of code on a network, giving them access to the network.
- Bait and Switch, in which a user clicks on what appears to be a legitimate advertising link, only to have that link direct users to a website that allows their personal information to be stolen.
Proper Training and Data Are Needed
Fortunately, with the proper training, a business can learn how to stop cybercrime and ensure that their employees are trained to recognize cyber threats and prevent bad actors from accessing a computer system.
First: All businesses should develop a cybersecurity handbook. This handbook should outline potential threats and past instances where a business’ systems have been accessed. It should also explain security systems, how to use them, and the policies for accessing them. It should also contain information security standards, what websites cannot be accessed, and the guidelines about accessing the computer network when not in the office. It should also show how often passwords and other vital access credentials should be trained. Finally, it should have a “what if” section: What should someone do if they believe the network should be breached, and who — including customers — should be notified?
Furthermore, your business should train employees to recognize how to use computer systems in the safest way possible, how to stop a cyber threat from accessing systems, and what to do if there is some cybersecurity issue or data breach. This training can take many forms. It should include:
- How to recognize a phishing attack and what to do if you get one.
- An overview of security systems and measures used by the company and how to operate those systems (if necessary).
- What to do if a system has been breached.
- How to recognize other security threats.
- What websites are most likely to contain malicious links, and what websites should be avoided.
- Company policies for accessing networks from home or public spaces where public Wi-Fi may be more vulnerable to security threats.
Finally, it is worth noting that this training should be regularly updated. The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new viruses, penetration methods, and phishing techniques developed regularly. A business and its employees must stay current on these potential threats. This will require frequent training to ensure that all activity is up to date.
How to Develop This Training
There are two potential ways to develop this training. First, you can attempt to do so on your own. You can use internet resources to try and ensure that you and your employees know the latest threats, the potential techniques to stop these threats, and how you can best train your employees in these methods. However, this can be a real challenge if you aren’t an expert in computer systems or security. After all, your area of expertise is whatever your business is, not cybersecurity.
This explains why businesses generally prefer to work with outside, expert consultants who fully understand best practices in the world of cybersecurity, how to train employees, and what the most effective training will look like. Outside experts are paid to ensure they are up to date on the latest cybersecurity threats and understand how to train employees and small businesses in these threats.
If you are interested in getting the latest training and software to protect your business and educate your employees on cybersecurity, reach out to vTECH io. At vTECH io, we know how to protect your organization, train your employees, and ensure that you use the latest tools and techniques to protect your business.