Data breaches aren’t just a concern for large, Fortune 500 companies. Any business that relies on technology and an Internet connection to do business is vulnerable to a cybersecurity breach. There are many resources available to respond and potentially prevent an attack, but a key defensive strategy begins with training company employees.
How Do I Train My Employees for Cyber Security?
Having specialized IT resources can cost a company a lot of money, and small business owners don’t always have the luxury of unlimited funding to continually upgrade and alter technology services within the company. Starting the foundation of your defenses with employees presents an opportunity to have more stability in the system.
1. Avoid Placing Blame
Data breaches can occur all the time, many times with employees playing an unknowing part in the process. Rather than playing the blame game and pointing figures, remember that a lack of information and knowledge can lead to a breach. Prioritizing training and learning from mistakes is the way to move forward will all employees on board and doing their part.
2. Prioritize Security Maintenance
An initial introduction to issues with cybersecurity during employee onboarding isn’t enough to defend against the continual attacks and liabilities of cybercrime. Security training should be a priority and a continual event. As threats evolve, employees need to be kept aware of them and the implications of a situation. Share news frequently and follow up with simulations and applications to put knowledge into practice.
3. Explain the Long-Term Effects
Many employees will understand that a data breach results in compromised information, but few truly realize how far the damage can go. At times, even the company’s administrators or stakeholders won’t fully grasp why there should be a heavy investment in training. While you can rely on cyber liability insurance to cover the damages that occur because of an attack, clearly outlining the financial costs, reputational damage and long-term harm to the company can solidify the importance of remaining vigilant.
4. Break Information Down Into Actionable Steps
Rather than just informing employees of the dangers that lie in weak passwords or spoofed email attachments, dedicate training to covering the specifics. Create actionable steps in the cybersecurity defense process that reduce risks. Conduct password training and maintain best practices for updating and strengthening individual access. Identify social engineering attacks and phishing scams and create a standard verification process for requests or attachments that seem doubtful. Common sense should be employed, but continual training with clear steps for addressing threats is also important.
How Can You Move Forward?
Cybersecurity threats won’t go away, but you can have a solid plan to address them. In addition to a cyber liability insurance plan taking care of the financial concerns, invest heavily in employee training to take care of the physical concerns.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
