Cybersecurity breaches and data theft can happen to any business if they’re not careful. Though a lot of attention is paid to external forces during a breach, employees also play a role and if not knowledgeable, can pose a threat to the cybersecurity of your business. 

Government Technology reports 69% of organizations say they were breached due to an insider threat, despite preventive measures. No matter what security measures are in place, it can be compromised by human error. The human factor continues to be a key weakness as employees are still falling prey to social attacks, according to Verizon’s 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report.

Businesses with moderate-strength cybersecurity that have recently switched to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic are especially at risk. To better enhance your security and decrease the likelihood of a breach, employees should be properly informed and trained on best practices. Once your employees are educated on cyber attacks and cyber threats, they can become your strongest protection.

Cybersecurity training can help employees and make your business more secure because it can teach employees secure practices. Implementing software alone isn’t going to ward off cyber criminals and prevent breaches. Below are what cybersecurity training services can provide, either remotely or by abiding social distancing guidelines:

How To Recognize Phishing

There are several types of phishing that employees should be on the lookout for. Email phishing, also known as spear phishing, is the most common. 

They come in the form of an inconspicuous email that looks like it’s from a coworker or even a top executive at the company, but really it’s a cybercriminal trying to get you to open a malicious document or get banking information from the company. Cybersecurity training teaches employees how to properly recognize phishing attempts and provide the best protocol for handling these situations.

Response Training

In the event of a data breach, employees should know the proper protocol like who to contact and what to do in case of a breach or another IT disaster. Response training can help employees practice live attack simulations to better evaluate your employees’ readiness and train them on how to act and respond.

Strategic Cybersecurity Planning

It’s better to be proactive than reactive. Cybersecurity training helps your company tailor a thorough cybersecurity plan to protect your system from threats. The Federal Communications Commission gives suggestions on what should be included in a cybersecurity plan like developing a privacy policy, protecting data collected on the Internet, and creating layers of security. Cybersecurity planning helps your business see where you need more comprehensive planning.

Cyber attacks are more common than you think and can cause a substantial financial loss and can smudge an otherwise pristine reputation. Cybersecurity breaches not only hurt the business but it also affects the customers you serve and clients you may work with. Every business should invest in cybersecurity training for its staff given the increase in data breaches and the need to turn your staff from a security weakness into a cybersecurity strength.