Do It Well – Security For Your Business

In this digital age, hackers target businesses every single day. Consequently, companies whose employees work primarily online are at the greatest risk of cyberattacks. Because employees have access to sensitive information about your business, they need quality security awareness training in order to be prepared and protect your business. 

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Here is how you can ensure that your security awareness training prepares your employees to combat cybercriminals.

C-Level Executives and Security Awareness

In a large company, employees rarely communicate with the owner of the business. They gain most of their information from managers and other senior-level employees. Consequently, management teams play a major role in building company culture.

Your C-Level Executives (COO, CEO, etc.) are incredibly important in setting the expectations for employee training and creating a culture of security awareness. Therefore, you must recruit C-level managers who understand the importance of security awareness and proactively build your employees’ awareness.

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For example, ask your executive team to conduct various security awareness education opportunities on a regular basis. Encourage your C-level executives to send weekly e-newsletters to update their teams on the latest cybersecurity trends. These regular engagements with your employees will help create a culture of cybersecurity awareness.

Mobile Device Threats

Your security awareness training program should also focus on mobile device threats. Many modern businesses allow their workers to use their personal devices for work. Smartphones offer access to a variety of business applications. These apps improve collaboration and productivity levels, making them valuable tools for teams. However, such devices also leave your business open to additional cyberattacks on devices not owned by your business and not controlled by your in-house security.

Business owners that allow their workers to use these beneficial applications must be cautious. Train your employees to identify common threats on their mobile devices. Explain how hackers use third-party apps to gain access to entire devices. Ultimately, you can reap the benefits that the apps offer without putting your company’s data, or your employee’s data, at risk.

Gamification for Better Learning

Gamification techniques optimize your security awareness training program by engaging your employee’s creative and competitive natures. Employees retain more information in gaming training sessions. As a result, they understand the importance of cybersecurity better. 

With gamification, employees also gain practice in defensive strategies. Utilize platforms that prioritize education, but also offer employees rewards. The positive reinforcement of rewards increases employees’ motivation to stay alert during training sessions. 

Simulation Makes the Difference

The best educational programs include simulation exercises for real-world learning. In other words, real-world practice is what your employees need. Business owners who use simulation exercises in education about security awareness gain insight into how well employees understand cybersecurity and their part in combatting cyberattacks. Therefore, you must invest in a quality platform that enables you to monitor individual employee outcomes on simulated exercises.

Consider sending your team a fake phishing email on a regular workday. Use your platform to track how many workers open the email and engage the cyberattack. The outcome of such simulation exercises will provide important information to improve your training program. Perform simulation exercises regularly to enhance your security awareness training. 

Security-Awareness Events Create Culture

An engaged employee is an asset to your business. One way to engage your employees is through a shared experience such as a training event. Choose fun, educational events to boost employee engagement rates effectively. 

Gamification is important in training events, too. The best events operate under a game-like structure. They encourage teams to work together to solve complex puzzles and problems. Many include clues and, ultimately, a prize. When teams attend these events with a cybersecurity mindset, they use learned tactics to solve the puzzles at hand. As a result, your employees begin to build a security-focused team culture. 

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW MUCH DO YOUR EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT CYBERSECURITY?

Whether it’s your business financial accounts or your customer data, cybercriminals constantly attempt to hack into company systems and steal sensitive information. Because your employees utilize these systems, your entire team needs proper training. Above all, be confident that you can prevent data breaches from occurring when you engage with excellent security awareness training. Use these methods to improve your security awareness training and achieve optimal protection.