Cybersecurity threats are an ongoing issue for various industries from medical practices to architecture and engineering firms. Unfortunately, the consequences can often be disastrous, leading to breaches in confidential data or sensitive client information.
These cyber security threats are alarming and the data is clear:
A new study found that 22.8 million people were affected by healthcare security breaches in the first half of 2021.
During the first half of 2021 the number of breaches reported to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights rose by 27%.
Cybercrime is slated to cause as much as $6 trillion in damages this year around the globe.
So how can you protect your business from these cybersecurity threats? By providing adequate training for all employees and ironclad security measures to protect all clients.
Foundational Security Training for Every Employee
The greatest security threat to any business is actually a minor mistake made by an employee that could result in a breach or attack. Proper security training is necessary for every employee in order for any company to preform seamlessly.
About 43% of employees do not know that clicking a suspicious link can likely cause a malware attack. The same data displays that 1 in 3 employees believe owning a device which is not secured with a password represents very little to no risk at all.
Employees who are lost when it comes to basic security measures, will likely be confused when it comes to increased security measures required by some industries.
This is why building awareness of cyber security threats that affect your industry is an essential part of preparing. It’s important your employees understand their role in protecting your business.
Five Simple Cybersecurity Training Steps to Protect Your Business
Developing a cybersecurity training program is the best way to ensure you are protecting your business. Follow these simple steps below when creating or updating your cybersecurity training.
1. Tailor Your Training To Fit Your Business
Every industry experiences cybersecurity threats a different way. Healthcare companies have recently been attached by hackers trying to gain access to COVID-19 vaccine information. Real estate companies may be targeted with emails around property sale transactions attempting to divert funds. Accounts payable staffers in any industry can be tricked to “send the money here” via clever phishing emails.
Training must be specifically crafted for the industry or business in mind as today’s threats are far-reaching and unique in every way. Personalized security training help cover all the bases as this its often crafted to fit circumstances employees face on a daily basis. Sometimes this is as rudimentary as best practices for passwords but can be specific to threats that you’ve experienced in your industry previously.
The healthcare industry for example, you will have to complete electronic health record training to ensure proper handling of sensitive patient data. While in the engineering industry, your client projects data may contain confidential information you may be contractually required to keep private as well.
2. Simple Security Reminders for Staff Are Important
Setting simple security reminders for your staff often can help spread awareness. Something as simple as posting the security requirements you develop at several locations around the office can keep security at the forefront of employee’s minds. Quarterly or yearly trainings help both new employees as well as seasoned employees understand their part in combatting cybersecurity threats.
3. Provide Hands-on Security Training
Everyone learns at a bit different pace and in unique ways but generally it is best to learn by practicing. This can be hard to do with cybersecurity training as there must be an element of risk involved to practice real life situations. Security stimulations are the perfect tools for practicing security measures with employees.
One instance could be explaining an eminent threat and allowing your team to preform required steps for remedying the issue at hand. At the end of the exercise, review what was done correctly and where there is room for improvement.
4. Make Security Trainings Engaging
Completing a yearly security training is one of the least exciting parts of any job. The collective “sigh” heard from team members when asked to complete security training makes it obvious that this can truly be an arduous process. The monotony of the training causes employees to complete the trainings required but not actually retain the knowledge necessary to stay protected against cybersecurity threats.
Trying different methods of teaching can help you find out what works best for the team or department. A schedule simulation or even a real threat can always be a great exercise.
Not every department deals with the same threats so it’s a good idea to tailor each training to fit the respective department as well.
5. Remember to Cover the Basics
The foundational piece of any training program is going back to the basics to ensure nothing gets overlooked. It’s easy to skip over simple and mundane tasks when focusing on high-priority issues throughout the day. It is essential to follow simple security practices at all times such as password requirements, encryption, and other best practices for emails. Our recommendation is requesting quarterly security trainings for all employees. Technology evolves every day just as cybersecurity threats do.
Enhance Your Security Today With Spire Tech
Beyond security training, managed services offered through Spire Tech can help you meet all regulatory requirements while protecting those who matter most: your clients, and employees. To learn more please visit our managed services page, or call us at (503) 222-3086 to schedule an initial consultation today.