Why employees are the most important part of your cybersecurity

Cybersecurity should be a priority for businesses of all sizes. After all, a successful cyber attack could be devastating for a company on both a financial and legal level. The levels of attacks have been increasing year on year and it is estimated that in 2021, damages caused by ransomware worldwide will amount to $21 billion. 

Having a strong cybersecurity policy in place is vital for protecting your business. A well-designed system will not only have a strong technical component but will take into account the people factor too. Employees are often the weakest link when it comes to protecting your business, which is why they are so often the targets of a cyberattack. Research has shown that approximately 95% of data breaches experienced by businesses are due to human error. 

One way that businesses can protect themselves is to embed good cybersecurity practice throughout the organisation. Consistent, ongoing training for employees is needed to ensure that they are following policies when accessing systems and are aware of the latest scams that are being used. Basic employee training should include the following:

• Password security
• Accessing systems from secure networks
• Storing information
• Enabling two-factor authentication
• Common scams 
• Phishing attacks
• Reporting of potential breaches

As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, it is much more difficult for employees to spot a potential phishing attack. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about what makes a successful phishing attack, then you’ll like this infographic that outlines the techniques used to get people to click. 

Infographic Design By Bob’s Business Bobs Business