Do you know how to protect your business from cybercrime? If not, you’re not alone. A recent study found that nearly 60% of businesses don’t have a formal cybersecurity education program in place. This leaves employees vulnerable to attacks from hackers and cybercriminals. In this guide, we will discuss the best ways to educate your employees about cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is fundamental for anyone. For companies, the need to educate employees about cybersecurity is essential to avoid being a target of attacks. With so many people working remotely now, it’s more important than ever to ensure your employees are up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats. Here are some tips on how you can best educate your employees about cybersecurity:
Include Cybersecurity in New Employee Orientation
When new employees join your company, take the time to educate them about cybersecurity. This can be done as part of their onboarding or new employee orientation. During this time, you can go over your company’s cybersecurity policies and procedures. You can also provide training on how to spot phishing scams and other cyber threats. By educating your employees from the start, you can help create a culture of cybersecurity awareness at your company.
Make Cybersecurity Training Mandatory
Require all employees to complete regular cybersecurity training. This will ensure that everyone is up-to-date on the latest threats and how to protect themselves. You can offer this training online or in person. If you have remote employees, you can provide training through an online platform such as GoToWebinar or WebEx. Make sure to offer training that is relevant and engaging. Employees are more likely to pay attention and retain the information if they find the training interesting.
Incentivize Cybersecurity Training
Offer employees incentives for completing cybersecurity training. This can be in the form of prizes, gift cards, or extra vacation days. By offering incentives, you can encourage employees to take the training seriously and pay attention to the material. You can also give employees who complete the training early a bonus or reward. This will show your employees that you value their efforts in keeping your company safe from cybercrime.
Make Cybersecurity a Part of Your Company Culture
Cybersecurity should be a part of your company culture. This means that everyone from the CEO to the janitor should be aware of cybersecurity threats and how to protect against them. You can promote a culture of cybersecurity by hanging posters in the office, sending out regular emails about cyber threats, and holding company-wide training sessions. By making cybersecurity a priority at your company, you can help create an environment where employees are more likely to take it seriously.
Take into account the following topics, in addition to those listed above:
Email Security
One of the most common ways that cybercriminals target businesses is through email. They will send out phishing emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company or person. These emails can contain malware or links to fake websites. Employees who click on these links can unknowingly provide hackers with access to your company’s network. To prevent this, you should educate your employees about email security. Teach them how to spot phishing emails and what to do if they receive one. You should also have a policy in place for reporting suspicious emails.
Password Security
Another way that cybercriminals can gain access to your company’s network is by using weak passwords. Hackers can use password-cracking software to guess passwords, or they can buy lists of stolen passwords online. To protect your company, you should require employees to use strong passwords. These should be at least eight characters long and contain a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. You should also require employees to change their passwords regularly.
Data Security
Another important aspect of cybersecurity is data security. This includes protecting sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and bank account information. To protect this information, you should encrypt it when it’s stored on your company’s network. You should also have strict controls in place for who can access this data. Only employees who need this information for their job should have access to it. You should also educate your employees about the importance of keeping this data safe.
These are just a few of the topics you should cover when educating your employees about cybersecurity. By taking the time to educate your employees, you can help protect your company from cybercrime.
