Being Human: The Biggest Cybersecurity Challenge
It’s not the devices…it’s us. According to CISO Magazine, a staggering 90% of cyber breaches are caused by human error. Backing up the jawdropping claim, a joint study by Stanford University and a leading cybersecurity organisation found that 88% of data breaches are caused by employee mistakes. Oops.
Despite being a pretty big factor, it’s often one that’s overlooked. The good news is that there are fairly simple solutions to counter human error, and it starts with education and awareness.
The Human Factor in Cybersecurity Incidents
Human error in cybersecurity can take many forms. It might be falling for phishing scams, using weak or easily guessable passwords, mishandling sensitive data or failing to update software and systems. Each of these mistakes can potentially open the door to cyber attackers, bad PR and detrimental financial consequences.
The Implications for Businesses
These statistics highlight several key points for businesses to consider:
Technology alone is not enough: While robust cybersecurity tools are essential, they cannot fully protect against human error.
Employee training is crucial: Regular, comprehensive cybersecurity training should be a priority for all organisations.
A culture of security awareness is necessary: Cybersecurity should be ingrained in the company culture, with every employee understanding their role in protecting the organisation.
Steps to Mitigate Human Error
As a business owner wanting to address this risk factor, you might want to consider the following measures:
Regular cybersecurity training and awareness programs
These programs aim to educate employees about the latest threats, best practices, and their role in maintaining organizational security. By conducting frequent training sessions, organizations can ensure that their staff remains vigilant and up-to-date with evolving cyber threats. These programs typically cover topics such as identifying phishing attempts, proper password management, safe browsing habits, and the importance of data protection. Interactive elements like simulated incident response exercises can provide hands-on experience and reinforce learning.
Additionally, ongoing awareness campaigns through newsletters, posters, or internal communications help keep security top-of-mind for employees. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of human error-related breaches and create a more resilient defense against cyber threats.
Simulated phishing exercises to test and educate employees
These exercises are an effective way to test employees' ability to recognize and respond to phishing attempts while providing a valuable learning experience.
Start by creating realistic phishing emails: Design emails that mimic genuine phishing attempts, using common tactics like urgent requests, fake login pages, or impersonation of authority figures. If and when they click the link, reveal a lighthearted message making it clear they were caught out.
Send to employees: Distribute these simulated phishing emails to employees without prior warning from an email address that looks official but is slightly wrong. For example if you usually email from kelly@elodiecybersecurity.com invest in creating and sending from Kelly@eIodiecyberecurity.com. Notice the missing ‘s’? See if your team does!
Monitor responses: If you can, track who opens the emails, clicks on links, or enters information into fake forms.
Provide immediate feedback: When an employee falls for the simulated phish, provide friendly, understanding and instant education on how to identify it was a phishing attempt.
These exercises will help you to assess the current level of employee awareness, provide hands-on experience in a safe environment and reinforce the importance of cybersecurity vigilance
Clear policies and procedures for handling sensitive data Establishing simple (1-2 page) policies for handling sensitive data is crucial for maintaining security and privacy standards. They serve as a comprehensive and consistent framework that guides employees in the proper management of confidential information. Key components include:
Data Classification System: Implement a detailed system that categorises data based on its sensitivity level, with corresponding handling procedures for each classification.
Access Control Protocols: Develop and enforce stringent protocols that govern who can access specific types of data, ensuring that sensitive information is only available to those who need to see it
Secure Storage and Transmission Methods: Outline specific procedures for storing and transmitting sensitive data, with a strong emphasis on encryption techniques to protect information both at rest and on the move.
Data Retention and Disposal Guidelines: Establish clear timelines for how long different types of data should be retained, along with secure methods for disposing of data when it's no longer needed, to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
Incident Reporting Mechanisms: Create a comprehensive system for reporting and responding to potential data breaches or security incidents, ensuring swift action to mitigate risks.
Make sure employees actually read and know them. Incorporate them into the onboarding process and review with training and awareness sessions
It's important to note that these policies should not be static; regular reviews and updates are essential to keep pace with evolving threats and changing regulatory landscapes.
Conclusion
Remember, cybersecurity is not just the responsibility of the IT department – it's everyone's business. The human factor in cybersecurity cannot be ignored. While technological solutions are vital, the statistics clearly show that addressing human error must be a top priority in any strategy. By focusing on employee education, fostering a culture of security awareness, and implementing robust policies and procedures, organisations can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyber breaches.