Cybersecurity and Your Employees

Cybersecurity and Your Employees

What kind of company culture does your business have when it comes to cybersecurity? Is it top-down, with rules and regulations everyone is expected to follow? Or bottom-up, with everyone understanding they have a role to play? Perhaps it’s a mix of the two?

It’s an important question to ask because cybersecurity is a growing issue for businesses of all sizes. Addressing it isn’t easy. Even big companies—multinationals with deep pockets—don’t always get it right. But the price of getting it wrong can be high.

Financial losses, legal issues, regulatory fines. Not to mention reputational damage and massive levels of stress. In extreme cases, a serious cyberattack could close a business for good. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly. It’s now becoming increasingly clear that good cybersecurity isn’t something that can just be left to the IT department.

Everyone has a role to play, and for smaller businesses that don’t have their own IT department, this is even more true.

Culture is key

A robust cybersecurity strategy hinges on a company culture that prioritises security at every level. Ensuring that everyone understands their role in protecting the business from potential threats. Employees are the first line of defence against cyber threats and it’s important that they know that.

Whether through phishing emails, weak passwords or the inadvertent sharing of sensitive information. Human error is often a significant factor in many security breaches. This makes it essential for every employee to be vigilant and proactive in their approach to cybersecurity. By understanding the importance of security protocols and adhering to them consistently, employees can significantly reduce the risk of a breach.

However, a common issue in many businesses is the tendency for employees to undermine security measures. Often without realising that’s what they’re actually doing. A classic example is writing passwords on sticky notes and attaching them to computers. It seems like a harmless shortcut to avoid forgetting login details. But it creates a significant vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Other behaviours that work against the best interests of the business include disabling security features to speed up processes, using personal devices for work purposes without proper security measures, ignoring software updates and patches, sharing passwords with colleagues and using easily guessable passwords.

No technology or software system, no matter how advanced, can compensate for employees who don’t follow protocol. Security systems are only as strong as the people who use them. This is why cybersecurity protocols should be carefully designed to fit into employees’ workflows.

If protocols are too complex or interfere with productivity, employees are more likely to find ways around them. Undermining the very security the protocols were meant to enhance.

The role of training in creating buy-in

The most secure business is one where everyone from the top to the bottom of the organisation understands that cyber risk is everyone’s concern. To get this kind of buy-in, training is crucial. Everyone needs to understand what’s at risk. And most importantly the part they can play in protecting their own employment from bad actors.

This kind of culture should start from the top. With senior management leading by example. When leadership demonstrates a commitment to following security protocols. It sets a tone for the rest of the organisation. Training can help employees understand the latest threats and the best practices for avoiding them. These include recognising phishing attempts, understanding the importance of multifactor authentication and knowing how to securely handle sensitive data.

It’s also important to have clear Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. These help manage the devices that are already in the workplace and might end up being casually used for work purposes. Personal devices may not have the same level of security as company-issued devices. Making them easier targets for cyberattacks. Additionally, if work activities take place on privately owned devices. There is a risk that sensitive company data could be exposed or lost if those devices are compromised, stolen, or lost.

Managing remote security

Hybrid and remote working are hugely popular in Ireland. However, the shift to these working models has further complicated the cybersecurity landscape. For hybrid working to really work. Employees need to understand that working remotely means taking on some responsibility for cybersecurity.

Working from home or some other remote location likely means not having access to the same secure networks and systems as they would in the office. This makes it crucial for employers to implement security measures that protect data even when accessed from outside the corporate network.

Organisations should provide employees with the tools and training needed to work securely from any location. This might include using virtual private networks (VPNs), implementing strict access controls, and ensuring that all remote devices comply with the company’s security standards.

Employers must also stay vigilant about potential threats that specifically target remote workers, such as phishing campaigns that exploit the isolation of remote employees.

Security is everyone’s responsibility

Every employee, from the C-suite to entry-level staff, has a role to play in protecting the organisation from cyber threats. Senior management must lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to security that permeates the entire organisation. By fostering a security-conscious culture, providing ongoing education, and designing user-friendly security protocols, even smaller businesses can significantly reduce the risk of a security breach.

But no system that relies on technology alone will do the job, it’s the people that use the system that make the biggest difference. They’re the ‘secret sauce’ that creates a truly secure business.

To speak to our expert advisors on implementing cybersecurity protocols in your business, book a free one-to-one call today.