In recent years, data breaches and cyber threats have been on the rise, making it essential for businesses to prioritise information and cyber security awareness training for employees. In fact, the majority of cyber incidents stem not from sophisticated hacking, but from human error. With a robust security awareness training program, employees are fully equipped and empowered to act as a critical first line of defence, recognising potential threats before they escalate.
Why Cyber Threat Awareness Training Matters
As cyber threats grow more and more complex, so must the vigilance of employees. Hackers often take advantage of basic human behaviours, such as clicking on suspicious links or using weak passwords. By training employees to spot phishing attacks, understand password security, and use devices safely in public spaces, you can substantially reduce security risks. Without dedicated information security awareness training for employees, companies are left vulnerable to security breaches, potentially jeopardising valuable data and the company’s reputation.
When employees are knowledgeable about cybersecurity, they are less likely to fall prey to malicious attacks, helping to prevent a chain reaction that could lead to larger breaches and subsequently closing the business. Organisations that provide comprehensive staff cyber security training foster a culture of accountability and awareness, encouraging employees to be proactive about safeguarding sensitive information.
Key Elements of a Threat Awareness Program
An effective threat awareness program hinges upon training modules that are clear, practical, and relevant to an employee's daily responsibilities. Programs such as these may include:
Simulated Phishing Attacks
Email phishing attacks are a common threat to cyber security, opening your organisation up to the risk of security breaches. By simulating these attacks, employees are given a chance to assess whether an email is legitimate or part of a phishing scam, all in a risk-free environment. If an employee clicks on a fake link in a simulated fishing email, they will receive further training on how to spot real phishing attacks. This training gives your employees an opportunity to improve their practical cyber security awareness without risking your organisation's actual cyber security.
Regular Updates on the Latest Cyber Threats
Cyber threats change over time as technology advances. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, training is an ongoing effort. By incorporating information security training for employees, businesses can continually assess and upgrade their defences, enabling employees to stay alert and responsive to new cyber risks.
Refresher Courses
Periodic cybersecurity awareness training programs ensure that your team retains their knowledge over time, rather than losing it. This helps to avoid lapses in judgment and reinforces the importance of cyber security and the risks posed by cyber threats.
Learn more about how non-cyber-savvy team members can unknowingly open your business up to risk in our previous blog.
Benefits of Employee Cyber Security Training
Cyber security awareness training results in stronger security and can also reduce the financial and operational costs that come with cyber incidents.
When employees understand their impact on security, they are more likely to:
- Avoid risky online behaviour that could expose sensitive data.
- Recognise and report suspicious activity.
- Adopt best practices in data protection, such as using encrypted devices and avoiding unsecured networks.
By regularly providing cybersecurity awareness training, businesses build a culture where everyone understands their role in maintaining security, thereby minimising the potential for costly breaches.
Go Beyond Training with Lateral’s Software Security Audits
While training is essential, Lateral goes further to strengthen your security with our comprehensive Software Security Audits. Our audits are designed to thoroughly analyse your software’s security by examining the code and updating it to meet current standards. Key elements of our audit include reviewing the quality of software code, data storage practices, encryption standards, and communication protocols to ensure robust security.
Following the initial audit, we provide a Security Audit Briefing Document. This critical document highlights the specific threats identified, from isolated incidents to system-wide vulnerabilities, and assigns each a level of urgency. By identifying current performance gaps, businesses can not only fortify security but also identify areas for future growth and innovation.
Why Choose a Lateral Security Audit?
Lateral has a proven track record in industries where data security is crucial, such as Health, Education, and Agritech. Our experienced team of developers and analysts have the expertise to assess, refine, and enhance your software quality with precision.
A Lateral Security Audit includes an in-depth assessment of:
- Code in .NET, Java, Objective-C, and Swift
- Data storage practices
- Encryption standards
- Communication protocols
Upon audit completion, you’ll receive a detailed briefing document and a review meeting where we outline recommended next steps for safeguarding your software and discuss any future solutions.
Invest in a strong security foundation with Lateral, and let us help you keep your data protected today and into the future.
Contact us to find out how a security audit could benefit your business.
