New England Biz Law Update
Companies are increasingly turning to digital solutions to speed their processes. But during this evolution, they should keep in mind that flesh-and-blood employees continue to represent the first line of defense against cyberattacks. That is because without proper training provided by an experienced Managed Services Provider (MSP), even the best security systems can be compromised by a single mistake.
Advances in cybersecurity technology have helped to bolster digital defenses against bad actors, but human error remains one of the biggest risks to your business security. An employee who makes a simple error — such as unintentionally clicking on a phishing email, downloading a malicious attachment, or using weak passwords — may expose your company to a cascade of cybercriminals.
The challenge is even greater as bad actors leverage artificial intelligence to launch increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. One favorite is phishing, where bad actors send emails or other messages that seem to be from reputable companies, in order to induce individuals to reveal sensitive information or to transfer funds. These kinds of attacks, along with social engineering tactics and other threat vectors, can trick even vigilant employees. And once an attacker gains access to your systems, they can steal sensitive data, install malware, or initiate ransomware attacks, which can lead to financial loss, legal repercussions, and reputational damage.
The continued spread of remote and hybrid work environments increases the risks. Employees are accessing company data from a variety of offsite locations and devices that may not be as secure as in-office locations.
A single click on a phishing email can have devastating consequences for your business, with some reports indicating that phishing alone is responsible for over 36% of data breaches. This highlights the critical need for ongoing security awareness to safeguard sensitive information.
But companies that work closely with a trusted cybersecurity provider can implement security awareness training programs that provide employees with the knowledge to identify and avoid cyber threats. Such initiatives will address a variety of issues, including phishing simulations, password and other best practices, while automating training so your time and financial resources will not be drained.
A proactive cybersecurity Training program should feature such components as:
Phishing Simulations that test the ability of employees to spot phishing emails in real-world scenarios, helping to identify vulnerabilities and reinforce positive behavior.
Interactive Modules that engage employees with easy-to-understand training on topics like password management, safe browsing, and data handling.
Customized Content, with training tailored to fit your industry, ensuring it aligns with your company’s compliance needs while addressing real threats that employees face daily.
Continuous Education. Cyber threats are evolving daily, but ongoing training will keep your workforce updated on the latest risks.
Training programs should also include features like reporting and analytics that track employee progress and engagement, and compliance support to ensure your business stays audit-ready. The training platform should be user-friendly, making it easy for employees to complete modules and for administrators to monitor progress.
Traditional approaches to security awareness often fall short because they focus on one-time events. But a program — designed by security and regulatory compliance experts — that offers a proactive and continuous approach, with automated training to keep your employees prepared, will enhance the security of your company’s networks and sensitive data while saving time and resources. With periodic phishing simulations and ongoing updates, your team will stay alert to threats, significantly reducing the risk of breaches.
Your employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats, and with a robust training program, you can ensure they will be well-equipped to protect your business from innocent, but costly mistakes.
Carl Mazzanti is president of eMazzanti Technologies in Hoboken, NJ, providing IT Consulting and Cyber Security Services for businesses ranging from home offices to multinational corporations.
