As your business grows and becomes more tech dependent, it’s imperative your employees are trained in cyber security best practices. By having a cyber security awareness training program in place you can help protect your company from the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Why is Cyber Security Training for Employees Important?
Humans have always been the weak link in security
No matter how many safeguards you put in place, it only takes one person to click on a phishing email or download a piece of malware for your organization to be compromised.
Don’t blame your employees
One of the first things an organisation needs to do when it comes to cybersecurity is to make sure that its employees are aware of the dangers and how to protect themselves.
However, it’s important to remember that blaming employees for not having the right knowledge at the right time is a way of avoiding the organisation’s responsibility to ensure its employees keep their network and data security.
That’s why employee training is essential
When your employees are properly trained in cybersecurity, they can be your first line of defence against attacks.
And, in the event that an employee does accidentally allow malware into your system or falls for a phishing email, trained employees will know what to do to mitigate the damage.
Invest in Employee Training
It’s the organisation’s responsibility to come up with a plan for ensuring everyone has the knowledge they need to make the right decision and knows where to go if they have any questions. That means being clear about what to do if anybody has questions, and setting up the infrastructure necessary to make it easy for employees to get help.
Part of that infrastructure is employee training. You need to ensure that your team has the knowledge they need to stay safe online. That starts with regular, comprehensive cyber security awareness training.
Make Cybersecurity Awareness a Priority
The first step in protecting your business is to make cybersecurity awareness a priority for everyone who works for you.
According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, “cybersecurity awareness training can reduce the risk of human error, which account for 95% of successful cyberattacks.”
However, despite its importance, only 40% of small businesses have cybersecurity training programs in place, according to the Small Business Administration. Cybersecurity awareness training should be an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Employees’ needs will change as your business grows and as cybercriminals get more sophisticated.
You also need to account for changes in technology and how employees use it. For example, if you introduce new software or apps, make sure employees know how to use them safely.
Online Cyber Security and GDPR Training Courses for Staff
Complete Staff Awareness Suite
Receive year-long access to all of our staff awareness courses and games to train your staff on best practice and processes. Covering the GDPR, cyber security, phishing, ransomware and information security, you’ll be able to educate your employees on their responsibilities while helping prevent data breaches and security incidents.
Price from = £18.50
Cyber Security Staff Awareness
This course aims to reduce human error and improve vigilance when using technology by familiarising non-technical staff with information security and cyber security awareness policies and procedures.
Price from = £7.00
Cyber Security for Remote Workers
How to stay safe when working from home using a shared Wi-Fi network. What a shared Wi-Fi network is. What measures employees need to put in place to avoid falling victim to a cyber attack. Family members and other home network users. Improving the remote working experience.
Price from = £2:00
GDPR and DPA 2018 Staff Awareness
This course aims to provide a complete foundation on the principles, roles, responsibilities and processes under the GDPR to all non-technical staff, reducing your organisation’s risk of non-compliance.
Price from = £7.00
GDPR Staff Awareness and Challenge Game
Reinforce GDPR staff awareness with this bundle, which comprises the bestselling GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 Staff Awareness E-learning Course and the GDPR Challenge E-learning Game.
Price from = £8:00
GDPR: Email Misuse Staff Awareness
This course aims to educate employees on the risks and consequences of misusing the Cc and Bcc fields when emailing, and teaches them how to communicate securely and legally with large numbers of people.
Price from £7.00
Phishing Staff Awareness Course
Act against the increasing threat of targeted phishing attacks by educating your employees to be alert, vigilant and secure with this online course.
Price from = £7.00
Phishing Awareness Challenge Game
Strengthen employee awareness of phishing with this package comprising the bestselling phishing e-learning course and the Phishing Challenge E-learning Game.
Price from = £8:00
Social Media – Human Patch Staff Awareness
This course helps learners understand the importance of secure social media use, in both private and professional contexts, and equips them with knowledge of best practice so they can recognise and avoid common risks associated with social media.
Price = £2:00
Other Solutions for Cyber Security Awareness for Staff
Staff awareness books
When it comes to implementing new policies and procedures, awareness is key. Staff need to be up-to-date on the latest changes and requirements in order to comply with them.
Staff awareness posters and games
These office posters are a great way to keep these important topics at the forefront of your employees’ minds.
Information Security Awareness Posters
Data Protection Awareness Posters
Topics covered in Cyber Security Awareness Training For Employees
Here is a sample of GDPR Advisor’s top 12 most important cyber security awareness training topics for staff:
Phishing Attack training
Phishing attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated, making it difficult for employees to identify them. In order to protect your business from a phishing-related breach, employees need regular training on how to spot these attacks.
This training should include how to identify common phishing techniques, as well as how to report a phishing attack.
Passwords and Authentication
A recent study showed that 81% of data breaches are a result of weak, default, or stolen passwords. This means that if your employees are using weak passwords, your company is at risk of a data breach. One way to mitigate this risk is to provide training to your employees on the importance of using strong passwords.
Removable Media
Removable media is a data storage device that can be removed from a computer, such as a USB stick, SD card or CD. They are commonly used in businesses to transfer files between computers and to store data backups. However, there are also risks associated with using removable media, such as lost or stolen devices, malware infections and copyright infringement.
Physical Security
Though many attacks are likely to happen through digital mediums, keeping sensitive physical documents secured is vital to the integrity of your company’s security system. Simple awareness of the risks of leaving documents, unattended computers and passwords around the office space or home can reduce the security risk.
By establishing a ‘clean-desk’ policy, the likelihood of unattended papers being stolen or copied is greatly lowered. In addition, regular training on physical security for employees can help to keep everyone vigilant about the importance of keeping sensitive materials under lock and key. By taking these simple precautions, you can help to ensure that your company’s physical security is up to par.
Working Remotely
When working remotely, company data is taken out of the controlled, physically secure environment of an office and transferred to a home network which may not have the same level of security measures in place.
This opens up the potential for data breaches through malicious cyber-attacks as well as accidents such as leaving work documents on public transport. Therefore, it is essential that your employees are provided with adequate cyber security awareness training to mitigate the risks of working remotely.
Mobile Device Security
As more and more employees are given the option to work remotely, the importance of mobile device security has come more to the forefront. With the increased connectivity of mobile devices comes the increased risk of security breaches.
The rise of malicious mobile apps has made it essential for employees to be aware of the dangers of downloading untrustworthy apps. By educating employees on how to identify and avoid potential security risks, companies can help protect their data and prevent costly breaches.
Internet and Email Use
In light of the many large data breaches that have occurred in recent years, it is more important than ever to be aware of how to protect your information online. Participating in internet and email use training can teach you about the dangers of sharing too much information online, as well as how to spot signs that your information may have been compromised.
The training can also provide tips on how to create strong passwords and keep them safe. By taking the time to participate in this type of training, you can help to protect yourself and your information from being exposed.
Removable Media
Removable media is a data storage device that can be removed from a computer, such as a USB stick, SD card or CD. They are commonly used in businesses to transfer files between computers and to store data backups. However, there are also risks associated with using removable media, such as lost or stolen devices, malware infections and copyright infringement.
When using removable media in the workplace, it’s important to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect your data.
Public Wi-Fi
When using public Wi-Fi, it’s important to be aware of the risks. Fake public Wi-Fi networks are a common way for scammers to collect people’s personal information. These networks often pose as free Wi-Fi in coffee shops or other public places. When end-users connect to these networks and enter information into non-secure public servers, their data is at risk.
To minimise this risk, it’s important to educate your users on the safe use of public Wi-Fi. Common signs that a Wi-Fi network may not be secure include a lack of encryption, an invalid or expired security certificate, and strange characters in the network name. By teaching your users how to spot these signs, you can help them avoid potential scams and keep their data safe.
Cloud Security
As the world increasingly moves to the cloud, security concerns are understandably on the rise. However, with the right precautions in place, cloud storage can be just as safe as traditional methods. Cloud security training will teach you how to choose a reputable cloud service provider and how to properly secure your data.
In addition, you’ll learn about the most common types of attacks and how to prevent them.
Social Media Use
In today’s increasingly connected world, social media has become an important part of many people’s lives. However, it is important to remember that social media can also be a tool for hackers and cybercriminals. By educating employees on the importance of privacy settings and the dangers of sharing too much information, companies can reduce the risk of their employees’ accounts being hacked and information being leaked.
It is important to have a policy in place for how to deal with social media in the event of a data breach or other crisis. By taking these steps, companies can protect themselves from the potential damage that can be caused by social media.
Social engineering
Social engineering is a technique that malicious actors use to gain the trust of employees in order to gain access to valuable personal information. Employees need to be educated on security awareness topics that cover the most common social engineering techniques, such as impersonation and offering incentives, in order to combat these threats.
An example of this could be someone posing as a viable client or offering incentives, private information can unwittingly be handed over to these malicious actors. By understanding the psychology of influence, employees can be better equipped to protect themselves from these attacks.
FAQs on cyber security awareness training for employees
What is cyber security awareness?
Cyber security awareness is the process of educating employees about the dangers that exist on the internet, and teaching them how to protect themselves and the company they work for. This includes teaching employees about phishing scams, malware, and other online threats, as well as how to identify suspicious emails or websites. It also involves educating employees about best practices when it comes to using company devices and handling sensitive information.
Why is cyber security awareness training important?
Cyber security awareness training is important because it helps employees to understand the risks that come with using the internet and equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves and the company.
This type of training can help to reduce the chances of a data breach or other cyber attack, and can also help employees to identify potential threats and report them to the appropriate authorities.
How often should cyber security awareness training be conducted?
Cyber security awareness training should be conducted on a regular basis, as new threats are constantly emerging. It is also important to conduct this type of training whenever there are changes to company policy or procedure, as employees need to be kept up-to-date on the latest information.
How many hours of training does an employee need?
There is no set number of hours that every employee needs for cyber security awareness training. It will vary depending on the individual’s role within the company, their level of experience, and their understanding of the subject matter. However, most experts agree that a minimum of four hours per year is a good starting point.
What is a cybersecurity employee policy?
A cybersecurity employee policy is the collection of organizational rules and best practices related to employee behaviour and the use of technology. The policy should be easily accessible to all employees, and it should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. A good policy will also help to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to using company resources and devices.