Shielding Your Organization: Why Cybersecurity Training Matters
Organizations are continuing to experience an array of cyber threats even to this day. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, the consequences of ineffective security practices can be devastating. One critical defense mechanism that often gets missed is cybersecurity training for employees. In this article, we delve into why cybersecurity training matters and how it can significantly enhance an organization’s security posture.
The Human Factor: Why Employees Are Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk
We must not overlook the most vulnerable aspect of any organization’s security infrastructure: its employees. Human error remains the leading cause of data breaches and security incidents, posing a significant threat to even the most protected systems.
Like for example, In 2017, the U.S. credit reporting agency Equifax experienced a massive data breach. Here’s what happened and how human error played a role:
- The Breach: Equifax, a major U.S. credit reporting agency, suffered a massive data breach in 2017. During this breach, attackers gained unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, affecting millions of individuals.
- Attack Duration: Shockingly, the breach went undetected for 76 days. During this extended period, attackers had free rein within Equifax’s network.
- Expired Certificate: The root cause of this prolonged exposure was an expired digital certificate. Equifax had installed a device to inspect network traffic for evidence of malicious activity. However, due to a misconfiguration related to the expired certificate, encrypted traffic bypassed inspection altogether.
- No Inspection of Encrypted Traffic: The expired certificate prevented Equifax from inspecting its encrypted traffic for a staggering 10 months.
In summary, this incident emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date certificates, vigilant security practices, and proper cybersecurity training.
The Cost of Ignorance: Financial and Reputational Impacts of Cyber Incidents
Failing to prioritize cybersecurity can have consequences for businesses of all sizes. It can be staggering, with costs ranging from immediate data recovery expenses to long-term legal fees and regulatory fines. Even more damaging can be the reputational impact, as customers lose trust in a company’s ability to protect their sensitive information.
Organizations that neglect cybersecurity measures risk becoming easy targets for cybercriminals. A single successful attack can lead to significant downtime, lost productivity, and compromised intellectual property. Additionally, the ripple effects of a breach can extend far beyond the initial incident, potentially causing lasting damage to business relationships and market position.
Protecting your Business from the Inside Out with Continuous Learning
With Breach Secure Now, you’ll get the tools and support you need to train your staff and monitor activity to identify risky behavior. We have partnered with BSN to provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for you and your employees.
Here’s how you can empower your employees:
✔️ Online security training (annual and ad-hoc for new staff)
✔️ Weekly email videos on relevant security topics
✔️ Flexible simulated phishing campaigns
✔️ Dark web assessments and monitoring
✔️ IT policy templates and portal access
✔️ Security risk assessments
✔️ Optional employee scoring system to identify individuals at risk
✔️ Newsfeed that helps you get up-to-date to latest IT news
Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time effort, but a continuous process of learning and adaptation. Failure to prioritize this ongoing education could have severe consequences for your business’ security.
Your First Line of Defense
Your first line of defense against cyber threats isn’t just sophisticated software or cutting-edge hardware; it’s your TEAM. By investing in complete and modern cybersecurity training, you’re equipping your employees with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, prevent, and respond to potential threats. This proactive approach not only safeguards your sensitive data but also cultivates a culture of security awareness throughout your organization.
Don’t wait for errors to occur, take action and secure your first line of defense. Reach out to us today and get your team involved in cybersecurity training.
