The Importance of Security Awareness for Employees
Just think of all the sensitive information your business competitors or hackers would love to handle. From simple identity theft to ransomware attacks on your business systems, a little security awareness goes a long way. In fact, it could save your business a world of trouble when an educated employee’s finger hovers over the mouse, avoiding a click on a bad link.
Is Your Business Cybersecurity Aware?
Big and small businesses alike need online defenses, from firewalls and encrypted software to strong passwords and password managers. But can you imagine putting in all that work only to have one employee slip up and unknowingly hand over the wrong information? That's where cybersecurity awareness training comes in.
Schedule a discovery call today to learn how we can help you build a robust cybersecurity training program tailored to your business.
Security breaches exploit your company’s or customers’ information—credit card numbers, addresses, names, and more—to damage your reputation or turn a profit. Because humans are fallible and hackers constantly evolve their tactics, breaches happen more often than a business owner might realize. However, with cybersecurity awareness training, you can strengthen your defense strategy.
Empower Your Employees With Cybersecurity Awareness Training
According to Verizon, about 68% of breaches in 2023 involved a non-malicious human element (employees falling victim to attacks or making mistakes). In ransomware cases, affected businesses experienced an average loss of $46,000 per breach. Notably, eight out of nine companies with breaches did not have a cybersecurity awareness program in place.
Through awareness training, employees can learn to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious activity, preventing them from inadvertently compromising sensitive information. Consider enhancing your company’s defenses by signing up for cybersecurity tips to keep your employees informed of the latest threats.
Training Topics to Consider
Some security awareness training topics your business might include are:
- Educational scripted videos
- Presentations covering typical programs your company uses
- Cyber tests to keep employees up-to-date on modern-day attacks and threat types
How Digital Security Training Assists Your Company
There’s a lot to be said for adding a layer of security that empowers employees to recognize and thwart cyberthreats. Here are some of the benefits your business might enjoy with a security awareness training program in place.
Prevent Data Breaches from Malicious Activity
When a hacker sends a fraudulent email or imitates a website login page, security-trained employees are less likely to fall for it. They'll recognize phishing attempts and avoid exposing sensitive data. Furthermore, they can spot suspicious links and misspellings often used in phishing schemes.
Build Stronger Cyber Defenses
Beyond recognizing threats, security awareness training helps employees develop stronger cyber defenses, such as using stronger passwords and multi-factor authentication. You can also ensure they understand compliance requirements like GDPR and HIPAA, helping your business maintain regulatory standards while minimizing risks.
Boost Business by Putting Your Customers at Ease
According to Vercara’s 2023 research, about 66% of customers would stop doing business with a company after a data breach. Moreover, 44% of surveyed individuals believed that breaches occurred because companies lacked adequate cybersecurity measures. By prioritizing security awareness training, your business can maintain customer trust and protect your reputation.
Explore more ways to safeguard your business by visiting our Network Security page and learning how we can help you bolster your defenses.
Conclusion
Security awareness training is more than just a strategy; it’s a necessity in today’s cyberthreat-heavy world. Educating your employees on how to identify and prevent potential threats can be the difference between a secure business and a costly data breach. By implementing these training programs, you can build a culture of safety and security within your organization.
