Cyberattacks come in different ways from phishing emails, malware downloads, and data breaches. They can cripple businesses and devastate personal lives. I know you might be thinking “I’m a small business owner, surely I’m safe from cyberattacks”. Unfortunately, you are so wrong. Any business or firm can be a target for these attacks either if you are a one-man business or a large one.
Employee error is among the most common ways many threats are brought into the business data network. Most times, a lack of education about cybersecurity is usually the culprit. People unknowingly click phishing links or create weak passwords, thinking it’s no big deal, little do they know that these tiny moves could open the way for large attacks. It’s estimated that 95% of data breaches are due to human error.
Not to worry, these mistakes are avoidable. That is why we’re here: to teach you how to avoid them and secure your data. Best way to massively reduce your risk a straightforward step: Create a robust culture of cyber awareness.
Why the Culture of Cyber Awareness is Important
Consider your company as a vast castle where your treasures are kept inside, and you have guards that keep those things valuable to you. Now, if these guards do not have a practice of having a regular check of the castle or aren’t vigilant enough, they might miss a secret passage or weaknesses that bad guys can take advantage of and work in their favor to their advantage. In this scenario, your employees are your guards, and prized possessions are your data. You could make your firm impenetrable from attacks if you make your firm a culture of cyber awareness.
Simple Steps, High Rewards
You don’t need elaborate strategies or expensive training programs to build a cyber awareness culture. That’s why we’re here to help. Some simple yet powerful steps you can take to create a big difference include:
1. Leadership: Lead by Example
It should not be an IT department issue in isolation. Involve leadership! The passion of executives for cyber awareness goes a long way in leaving a statement to the entire organization. They can demonstrate their commitment by:
- Participate in training sessions about cyberattacks
- Speak at security awareness events
- Allocating resources for cyber awareness
2. Make Security Awareness More Interesting
Cybersecurity training doesn’t have to be preached with a dooming and boring tone. Use engaging videos, gamified quizzes, and real-life scenarios to keep employees interested and learning. At Straten Solutions, we ditch the IT jargon and put things in layman’s terms, making it simple and understandable.
Think of interactive modules where employees choose their path through a simulated phishing attack. Or short, animated videos that explain complex security concepts in a clear and relatable way
3. Speak Their Language
Cybersecurity terms can be confusing and overwhelming. Communicate in plain language, avoiding technical jargon. Focus on practical advice employees can use in their everyday work. , we break down complex concepts into simple, understandable terms.
Instead of saying, “implement multi-factor authentication,” explain that “it’s like adding an extra lock to your door. You’ll need a code from your phone in addition to your password to log in, making it much more secure.”
4. Keep it Short and Sweet
Avoid overwhelming people with lengthy training sessions. Opt for bite-sized training modules that are easy to digest and remember. Use microlearning approaches delivered in short bursts throughout the workday. These are a great way to keep employees engaged and reinforce key security concepts
5. Conduct Phishing Drills
Turn your team into phishing detection pros with regular drills. Send out simulated phishing emails and see who takes the bait. Then, use the results to boost everyone’s scam-spotting skills.
But why stop there? After a drill, gather the team to dissect the email. Point out the red flags and sneaky tactics. Make it a fun, interactive session where everyone learns how to spot a phish from a mile away!
6. Make Reporting Cyberattacks Easy and Encouraged
Make your team feel safe and comfortable reporting suspicious activity. Create a blame-free, easy-to-use system for reporting. Here’s how:
- Set up a dedicated email address for quick reports.
- Provide an anonymous hotline for those who prefer discretion.
- Appoint an accessible security champion who will always be willing to listen. Embrace and Celebrate Every Report in Building a Proactive and Vigilant Culture!
7. Security Champions: Empower Your Employees
- Identify enthusiastic employees who can become “security champions.” These champions can answer questions from peers as well as promote best practices through internal communication channels. This keeps security awareness top of mind.
- Security champions can be a valuable resource for their colleagues. They foster a sense of shared responsibility for cybersecurity within the organization.
8. Security Beyond the Workplace
Cybersecurity isn’t just for the office. Educate your team on how to stay safe online at home. Share easy tips for creating strong passwords, securing their Wi-Fi, and avoiding risky public hotspots. Good security habits at home translate to better practices at work.
9. Celebrate Cyber Win
Recognize and celebrate your team’s cybersecurity victories! Did someone spot a phishing email? Did a department score high on a security drill? Give them a shout-out to keep motivation high. Public recognition reinforces positive behavior and keeps everyone vigilant.
10. Bonus Tip: Use Smart Tech
Leverage technology to foster a cyber-awareness culture. Utilize online training platforms with quick, engaging modules and track progress. Schedule regular phishing simulations to keep everyone alert. Equip your team with tools like:
- Password managers
- Spam and phishing filters
- Automated security rules (e.g., Microsoft Sensitivity Labels)
- DNS filtering
Contact Us for Top-Notch Security Training & IT Solutions
Need expert help with email filtering or setting up security rules? Want ongoing security training for your team handled by pros? Straten Solutions got you covered. Let’s chat about how we can reduce your cybersecurity risk and keep your business safe.
Reach out to us today to learn more!
