Enhance your organisation's cybersecurity with practical training, policy guidelines, and awareness tactics. Learn how to build a secure digital culture.
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As organisations face rising cyber threats, cybersecurity awareness becomes essential. Beyond technology and remote work considerations, companies need proactive strategies, effective training, and clear policies to empower employees against cyber risks.
Read on for insights into the importance of comprehensive cybersecurity practices.
Cybersecurity awareness in the modern workplace
Cyberattacks continue to grow in sophistication, targeting not just systems but employees as entry points. A security-aware workforce is a critical line of defence against threats like phishing, social engineering, and ransomware.
We undertook a survey of our customers to benchmark cybersecurity awareness among employees. It highlighted a training and knowledge gap in most areas, particularly in social engineering and phishing. The numbers indicate the Net Preparedness Score of employees across 26 companies for each cybersecurity risk.
How to improve cybersecurity awareness and compliance
For a robust cybersecurity program, organisations must prioritise both knowledge and accountability through tailored training, engagement, and clear policies.
Regular and targeted cybersecurity training
Our research suggests that effective training goes beyond annual refreshers, advocating for continuous engagement through methods like:
- Microlearning - Short, focused sessions on specific topics like phishing or password management that are easily integrated into daily workflows.
- Scenario-Based Training - Real-life simulations enable employees to practice threat responses in controlled settings, preparing them for actual risks.
- Gamification - Training modules with quizzes, challenges, and rewards can boost engagement, making critical concepts more memorable.
These techniques create ongoing awareness and encourage employees to apply cybersecurity principles in real time.
For more information on this subject, watch our free webinar on cybersecurity training. Expert panellists included Katharine Leaman of Leaman Crellin, CIFAS Chief Product Officer Mark Courtney, Strategic Fraud Prevention & Behavioural Lead at UK Finance, Paul Maskall and Natwest Boxed Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Fielder.
Define and communicate comprehensive cybersecurity policies
Clear, enforceable policies are vital to guiding employee actions. A well-rounded cybersecurity policy should cover:
- Password management - Mandate complex, regularly updated passwords and encourage the use of secure password managers.
- Data management and access control - Define rules for data access, storage, and sharing, ensuring sensitive information is only available to authorised personnel.
- Incident reporting - Clearly outline procedures for reporting potential breaches or suspicious activity to reduce incident response times.
These policies should be easily accessible and reinforced regularly to keep employees informed of best practices.
Foster a culture of accountability and vigilance
A proactive cybersecurity culture requires organisations to instil responsibility across all levels. By integrating cybersecurity into the corporate culture, companies reinforce that security is everyone's job.
- Management involvement: Leaders can reinforce policies and model best practices, showing that cybersecurity is a top organisational priority.
- Incentives for best practices: Recognising employees who consistently follow security protocols or perform well in training can encourage broader adherence.
- Regular benchmarking and feedback: Assessing the effectiveness of awareness programs through metrics such as phishing success rates, incident response times, and training completion rates can reveal areas for improvement.
Stay updated on emerging cybersecurity trends
Cyber threats evolve quickly, and staying informed on the latest trends can help organisations adjust their defences. There is a pressing need for cybersecurity leaders to monitor emerging risks and update training content accordingly. Some essential updates include:
- New phishing tactics
Phishing remains the top cyber threat, with attackers using more sophisticated techniques to deceive employees. - Ransomware defences
Training employees to spot early signs of ransomware can prevent costly breaches. - Social media risks
Educating staff on safe social media use, including privacy settings and suspicious connections, adds a layer of personal security that extends to corporate data protection.
Key compliance measures to reduce risk
- Establishing security policies and protocols
Compliance standards such as GDPR and PCI DSS outline essential policies, helping businesses set up guidelines for password management, data encryption, access restrictions, and secure communication practices. These foundational steps prevent many common cyber threats before they escalate. - Comprehensive employee training
Since human error is a factor in 95% of cyber incidents, training remains critical. There is a need for consistent, engaging training using methods like microlearning modules and simulations to build employees' confidence in identifying threats. - Conducting regular risk assessments
Routine risk assessments help businesses detect vulnerabilities and focus their security efforts where they're most needed. This proactive approach can reduce security gaps and prepare the organisation for potential regulatory audits. - Vendor and third-party due diligence
External vendors may be potential entry points for cyber threats, making due diligence essential. By ensuring suppliers meet your security standards, businesses can mitigate supply chain risks. - Developing incident response protocols
In case of a breach, effective incident response plans are vital. Clear steps for monitoring and addressing incidents are crucial, and help to reduce the impact and recovery time.
Enhancing remote work cybersecurity practices
While cybersecurity policies should be universally applied, remote work environments pose unique challenges that warrant particular focus.
Cybercriminals are aware of these vulnerabilities and are increasingly targeting remote workers. A study by IBM found that the number of cyber attacks targeting remote workers increased by 72% in 2022.
As employees operate outside the office network, additional practices can fortify remote setups.
Strengthening remote cyber hygiene
Encouraging employees to secure their home networks and devices is crucial. Essential practices include:
- Regular software updates and patches - Ensuring all systems are updated minimises vulnerabilities.
- Using VPNs and firewalls - A VPN encrypts network connections, while firewalls add a layer of defence against external threats.
- Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) - Enforcing 2FA provides an additional security step for remote access, reducing the chances of unauthorised entry.
Protecting devices and data
Remote workers should follow strict data handling protocols. For instance:
Data encryption
Encrypting sensitive data protects it from unauthorised access in case of device loss or theft.
Regular backups
Regular backups to secure, organisation-approved locations ensure data integrity and accessibility even if a device is compromised.
These practices can significantly reduce risks associated with remote work.
Measuring and reinforcing cybersecurity awareness effectiveness
Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of awareness programs helps refine cybersecurity efforts, ensuring they stay relevant and impactful. Make sure to set benchmarks to track improvements and identify weak spots:
Implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs provide insights into program success. Useful KPIs include:
- Phishing test results -Tracking employee response to simulated phishing attacks reveals training effectiveness and areas for additional focus.
- Response times to security incidents - Monitoring how quickly employees report incidents shows their preparedness and awareness.
- Training completion and engagement rates - High completion rates and feedback indicate program resonance and relevance.
Regular surveys and feedback loops
Surveys allow employees to share their perspectives on training content, while regular feedback loops ensure that training remains dynamic and addresses the latest threats. This process supports continuous improvement and helps maintain a strong security posture across the organisation.
Building a resilient cybersecurity programme
In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity awareness is essential for organisational resilience. These recommendations underscore that through comprehensive policies, continuous training, and proactive cultural changes, organisations can empower employees to serve as their frontline defence against cyber threats.
CyberFocus training package
With our CyberFocus solution, we've reimagined cyber awareness training, moving beyond traditional e-learning to create an engaging and adaptive experience for modern workforces.
Our approach combines real-time adaptive learning with bite-sized microlearning modules, allowing busy professionals to easily integrate training into their schedules. Gamification elements enhance the learning process, while realistic simulations build practical skills.
Rather than relying on annual sessions, we provide continuous assessments to keep cyber awareness current, with personalised dashboards for tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement.
Ultimately, our comprehensive, flexible, and engaging cyber awareness programme empowers employees to actively contribute to their organisation’s cyber defence strategy.
Examples of cybersecurity compliance strategies
Let's look at some high-risk areas where effective cybersecurity compliance is a crucial consideration.
Securing supply chains through compliance
Supply chains are inherently vulnerable to cyber threats due to their complexity and reliance on third-party partnerships. Maintaining compliance within a supply chain isn't just about meeting legal obligations—it's an essential measure to ensure each link in the chain adheres to consistent security standards.
Key risks: Vulnerabilities through third-party vendors, data breaches, and malware attacks affecting interconnected systems.
Compliance Essentials: Regular vendor assessments and data protection protocols ensure third parties meet security standards, helping to mitigate risks of external threats impacting the supply chain.
- Vendor compliance and audits: Ensuring all partners comply with security regulations is crucial for limiting external vulnerabilities. Businesses should conduct regular security audits for third-party vendors, verifying that they meet established cybersecurity standards.
- Secure data-sharing protocols: Compliance often requires secure data handling and sharing practices across all partners. Adhering to data protection standards like GDPR or specific industry requirements helps limit exposure to data breaches, protecting sensitive information along the supply chain.
- Monitoring for compliance violations: Continuous monitoring for compliance helps identify potential risks in real-time, allowing for prompt action. By staying vigilant, organisations can mitigate threats that may arise from non-compliant actions within the supply chain.
By integrating these compliance-focused practices, businesses create a secure and resilient supply chain, reducing the likelihood of breaches impacting the broader network.
Importance of compliance in cybersecurity for SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique cybersecurity challenges, often having fewer resources to dedicate to robust security measures.
Compliance provides an essential framework for protecting sensitive information while meeting industry regulations. Implementing even basic compliance measures can significantly impact SMEs' overall security.
Key risks: Phishing, ransomware, and credential theft are major threats, often stemming from limited cybersecurity budgets and awareness.
Compliance Essentials: Implementing strong password policies, employee training, and basic two-factor authentication as part of compliance can significantly lower risks by addressing human error and weak access points.
- Employee training aligned with compliance standards: The value of affordable, compliance-oriented training for SMEs cannot be understated. Training programmes can be aligned with key regulatory requirements, helping staff recognise threats and maintain secure practices that meet compliance standards.
- Adopting cloud solutions with compliance features: Many cloud providers offer compliance tools, such as automated encryption and data access logs, that can significantly enhance security. This allows SMEs to benefit from enterprise-level protections without needing an extensive internal IT infrastructure.
- Basic compliance practices: Implementing compliance standards around password policies, two-factor authentication, and system updates helps SMEs establish a secure foundation. By meeting these basic compliance requirements, even smaller businesses can significantly lower their risk profile.
Compliance thus serves as a practical guide for SMEs to structure their cybersecurity initiatives effectively, providing an accessible approach to risk reduction.
Compliance as a foundation for cybersecurity in the public sector
Public sector organisations handle sensitive information that makes them prime targets for cyber threats. Compliance requirements for public institutions are stringent and play a key role in ensuring that cybersecurity practices are robust and effective.
Key risks: Highly sensitive data makes the sector vulnerable to targeted attacks like DDoS, data breaches, and espionage.
Compliance Essentials: Compliance audits, strict access controls, and public awareness align with regulatory standards and safeguard public data, reducing the impact of potential breaches.
- Enhanced access controls aligned with compliance: Compliance standards often mandate strict access controls for sensitive information. To reduce the risk of unauthorised access, public institutions should implement multi-factor authentication and role-based access.
- Conducting routine compliance audits: Regular audits help public sector entities identify gaps in compliance and enhance security. Frequent evaluations are also very important, enabling public bodies to adapt quickly to new threats and align with regulatory standards.
- Public-focused compliance awareness: Compliance often requires public entities to promote awareness of cybersecurity threats, particularly regarding fraud and phishing scams. By educating employees and the public, organisations reduce their overall exposure to cyber risks that exploit human error.
Compliance thus provides a structured approach to protecting sensitive data and maintaining public trust. By embedding compliance within their cybersecurity framework, public sector organisations are better positioned to prevent and respond to cyber threats.
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