We hear about cyberattacks and data breaches constantly. If you have a pulse, you’re probably aware of the heavy emphasis on cybersecurity’s technical side. However, it is not enough to place sole emphasis on technical solutions to these problems. According to IBM, human error is the root cause of 95% of data breaches. Cybersecurity also requires people to think critically and make good decisions based on various scenarios with different implications.
A team-wide understanding of cybersecurity best practices is essential for effectively managing cyber risks. In this article, we will explore the roles of people in cybersecurity and the importance of everyday workers taking responsibility when it comes to protecting companies from cyber threats.
Cybersecurity Awareness Is Becoming A Culture Shift
By now, most of us are well aware that cybersecurity is no longer merely a topic that demands our attention – it’s an essential part of modern life. In fact, it’s increasingly becoming a culture shift within companies. This statement may seem like a stretch, but recent research backs it up.
Social engineering is involved in 98% of cyber attacks. Social engineering focuses primarily on human interaction and manipulation to obtain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or physical locations. For example, a simple phishing email is the starting point for 91% of all cyber attacks.
The mission to protect against cyber attacks is a team effort, and companies must start from the top down and ensure everyone is on board with the mission. Company leaders must define employee goals and expectations by clearly outlining their cyber security policies. This way, everyone understands that there’s a common goal and knows what steps they need to take to succeed.
Having written policies in place is critical to developing a culture that takes cybersecurity seriously. By taking these steps and establishing this culture now, companies can avoid falling behind in this new cybersecurity arms race.
Companies Should Implement A Holistic Approach To Cybersecurity
Employees can help in implementing a holistic approach to cybersecurity based on a full understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities. This includes knowing the company’s policies, participating in user education programs, and following and keeping up-to-date with cybersecurity best practices.
There are many different types of threats and vulnerabilities at work. These include both operational and technical threats, as well as human errors like clicking on malicious links or mishandling protected credentials. Employees should be trained to identify risks and vulnerabilities quickly to take action before any issues escalate.
Most companies educate employees on how to do this with cybersecurity training programs. When businesses invest in cybersecurity training and awareness, security risks are decreased by 70%.
It’s a Team Effort
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue; it’s a people issue, and it’s the responsibility of everyone within an organization. Everyone on the team, from leadership to non-managerial employees, must be on board and be willing to take the initiative. Not everyone needs to know how to configure a firewall, but everyone can take responsibility for keeping the organization safe.
By working together as a team, businesses can detect and respond to threats before an incident occurs. This way, companies can prevent hackers from obtaining sensitive information that could lead to financial losses, reputational damage, or even potential harm to employees, customers, or other stakeholders.
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