Multiple surveys in recent times have revealed a sobering conclusion: Many business owners think cybersecurity is their IT department’s concern, not theirs. What about you? Do you view cybersecurity awareness as a company-wide responsibility or not?
In reality, secure operations require a collective effort. Everyone must be alert to threats and know how to avoid putting themselves and you as their employer into a bad situation.
What Is Cybersecurity Awareness Training?
Intentional cybersecurity awareness training helps employees understand the industry’s security best practices and their role in keeping the company safe. For example, you might teach staff how to:
- Spot phishing emails and scams
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Handle sensitive data
- Recognize signs of malware or suspicious activity
- Report potential threats
Some companies only discuss cyber hygiene during onboarding or at a mandatory annual training, and never again. Instead of reiterating the importance of cybersecurity training, this one-and-done approach makes it a task to check off, not a critical part of a culture of safety.
Employees need an incentive to care about security – there’s no reward for good behavior. When your company policies or systems make life harder, people are going to look for workarounds that might be risky. Everyone needs to care about protecting the business.
Your Business Can’t Afford Not To Prioritize Cybersecurity Training
You cannot overstate the importance of cybersecurity training. Cybercriminals rely on human error, not just technical flaws.
Building a security-first culture is the best way to reduce the risk of data breaches and other incidents. That starts with empowering employees with knowledge they can use daily. This approach protects your business and its reputation from costly incidents while improving its response and recovery time if something slips through.
Make Cybersecurity Part of Your Workplace Culture
Is your business treating cybersecurity awareness as an ongoing effort? Cyber threats are constantly changing, so one-time training isn’t enough. Some of the best ways to build a strong cybersecurity culture include:
- Scheduling regular training sessions and refreshers
- Running phishing simulations to gauge awareness
- Sharing updates about new scams or security trends
- Encouraging open communication around digital safety
- Addressing insider threat prevention with tools to identify and address risks
- Celebrating employees who help prevent threats
When cybersecurity no longer feels like a chore, it becomes second nature. And a culture of cybersecurity means a safer business.
Your Business’s Employee Risk Management Starts with Education
When you understand the importance of cybersecurity training, it’s easier to build a more resilient organization that can prevent downtime or bounce back from attacks with less damage.
Cybersecurity awareness training doesn’t turn employees into IT pros. However, it gives everyone the tools to make safer choices. Simply put, trained employees play a fundamental role in protecting the business, so don’t delay.
