In 2024, cybersecurity awareness has become an essential skill. Now, schoolchildren as young as sixth grade are being taught information security best practices as part of their curriculum. Still, you can’t assume that your employees were taught cybersecurity skills in grade school. However, you can be the one who provides their cyber awareness training.
“Even if your business isn’t tech-forward, if anyone on your team uses the internet for any purpose, you need a cybersecurity training program.” – Nahjee Maybin, CEO of Kenyatta Computer Services.
Most employees understand the basics of cybersecurity. The other challenge is that cyber threats are evolving faster than the average person can follow. Therefore, even if you have tech-savvy employees who have been dealing with computers since grade school, the importance of security awareness training remains.
So, this article will explore more of the key benefits of cybersecurity awareness training. We will also provide some tips on how you can offer practical cybersecurity training for your employees.
7 Key Benefits of Cybersecurity Training
1. Less Risk of Human Errors
Cybersecurity training helps employees recognize phishing emails, suspicious links, and unsafe downloads. This reduces the risk of mistakes that could compromise sensitive data or systems. This practice may seem obvious, but it’s important to realize that while 90% of people believe they can identify a phishing email, only 5% successfully pass phishing tests.
2. Faster Threat Detection
Training equips employees with knowledge and skills to identify and report unusual activity. When employees know the warning signs of cyber attacks, they can alert the appropriate teams quickly. This leads to faster response times and reduces the potential damage caused by threats.
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3. Fewer Regulatory Compliance Risks
Many compliance frameworks mandate that your business must have a security awareness training program to meet regulations. However, even if yours does not, cybersecurity training can help you ensure that your employees aren’t the cause of other compliance issues. Avoiding potential violations can save your business’s budget. For instance, the maximum penalty for HIPAA violations is $1.5 million per security incident.
4. Lower Security Costs
Avoiding compliance violations isn’t the only reason why cyber awareness training is important to your business financially. The average cost of data breaches worldwide is now $4.88M USD, which is a 10% increase since 2023. Implementing your cybersecurity training program will cost money, but the cost is much lower than mitigating an issue.
5. Increased Resilience to Technological Changes
As technology evolves, so do cyber threats. Cybersecurity training keeps employees informed about new risks and security measures. This makes your workforce adaptable to changes in technology. As a result, your organization remains protected even as systems and attack methods advance.
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6. Career Development Opportunities
Providing cybersecurity training demonstrates your commitment to employee growth. It helps team members gain valuable skills they can apply in their roles and beyond. This investment in training boosts morale and retention while helping your team contribute to your security efforts.
7. Increased Customer Trust
Customers feel more confident when they know their data is protected. A well-trained staff minimizes the risk of incidents that could expose sensitive customer information. This assurance strengthens relationships and builds loyalty.
What to Include in Your Cyber Awareness Training Program
Recognizing Phishing Attempts
Phishing is a common tactic attackers use to steal credentials or deploy malicious software. Training employees to spot phishing emails protects your systems. Show examples of phishing emails, highlighting red flags such as unexpected links, poor grammar, and urgent requests for information.
Source: Clarkson University
For practice, offer hands-on activities like mock phishing exercises and analysis of actual phishing attempts. You should also teach them to verify information with the supposed sender before responding to unusual emails.
Password Management Best Practices
Proper password management limits exposure to compromised credentials. Unique passwords prevent attackers from using stolen credentials to access multiple accounts, and regular updates help keep accounts secure.
Emphasize creating strong passwords with a mix of characters, avoiding reuse, and using password managers. Explain the risks of sharing or storing passwords insecurely. If you use a password manager tool, demonstrate how to use password manager tools with live examples or video tutorials.
Understanding Social Engineering Tactics
Social engineering exploits human interactions to gain unauthorized access to information or systems. Employees who understand these tactics can identify and resist manipulation attempts. Explain common tactics like pretexting, baiting, and impersonation, and teach them to verify requests for sensitive information.
| Description | Example | |
| Pretexting | Creating a fake scenario to trick someone into sharing information or performing an action. | A caller pretends to be from IT and asks for login credentials to “fix a system issue.” |
| Baiting | Offering something enticing to lure a victim into taking unsafe actions. | A USB drive labeled “Confidential” is left in a common area to entice someone to plug it in. |
| Impersonation | Pretending to be a trusted individual to gain unauthorized access. | An attacker poses as a company executive and asks an employee for sensitive data. |
You can test their understanding of these potential threats by running role-playing scenarios to simulate social engineering attempts. Provide examples of real incidents and discuss how they could have been prevented.
Safe Internet Browsing Guidelines
Unsafe browsing can expose the organization to malware, unauthorized access, or data theft. Safe habits reduce these risks. Discuss risks of visiting unverified websites, downloading files, and using public Wi-Fi. Teach them to recognize secure websites and avoid risky behaviors online.
Secure Use of Mobile Devices
Mobile devices often access sensitive data, and improper use can lead to data theft or unauthorized access. Securing these devices protects organizational assets. Cover safe use of mobile devices, including enabling device encryption, using secure connections, and keeping software updated. Provide hands-on sessions that demonstrate mobile security settings.
How to Recognize Security Breaches
Early recognition of suspicious activity helps contain potential threats and minimizes damage. Employees need to know what signs to look for. Describe indicators of breaches, such as unusual account activity, unfamiliar files, and unauthorized system changes. Teach them the importance of reporting suspicious behavior immediately.
How to Report Security Incidents
Quick reporting ensures the organization can respond to threats effectively. Clear guidelines prevent delays or miscommunication. Explain what constitutes a security incident and outline the steps for reporting it. Include who to contact and what information to provide. Use role-play exercises to walk employees through the reporting process.
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Talk to Our Experts to Learn More About The Latest Threats
Keeping up with changing standards is hard to do, but it’s also why you need to conduct your security training program at least annually. Of course, you may be concerned that your latest interaction with your program may miss some key threats. Luckily, you can consult Denver-based experts for help.
At Kenyatta Computer Services, we employ a tech-savvy team of cybersecurity specialists who can teach you what you need to know about the latest threats. This way, you can refine your training program for the modern landscape. Furthermore, we offer managed IT services as an added layer of IT protection.
Reach out to us today to learn more.