When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s tempting to think of attackers as external entities who can access your systems through brute-force attacks. But, for most companies, employees are still the biggest risk.
The Importance of Evaluating Risk
Getting a comprehensive understanding of the risks that your company faces is the first step toward developing a strategy that will cut or prevent them.
Managed IT services can help you identify and address the various risks that your company encounters. They can also help you develop effective mitigation and prevention strategies. However, it’s important to note that, even with the help of an experienced team, you may not be able to completely understand the risks that your organization faces.
How can we claim that employees are your biggest cybersecurity risk?
Security threats often target weak points in an organization. Human beings are prone to making significant mistakes, which makes them the ideal targets for attackers.
Employees are also more prone to making mistakes, which can make them ideal targets for attackers.
Password Issues
Many employees are also lazy when it comes to managing their passwords. They may choose easy-to-guess passwords such as “password1234” or leave their passwords on their desk for easy reference. These practices can turn an amateur into a skilled hacker who can access your systems.
Foreign Devices
Besides, many employees are also willing to compromise their company’s cybersecurity by putting non-work-related devices, such as CDs and flash drives, into their computers. Doing so can allow attackers to access your entire organization’s systems. A study revealed that 45 percent of the respondents were willing to plug a random, unused thumb drive into their work computer.
Phishing (and similar) Scams
Even employees are vulnerable to phishing scams and similar attempts to trick them into revealing their login details. If an employee can pose as an IT staff member or a trusted website, they may not be aware of the threat.
Public Networks
Although it’s always recommended to use company devices on secure networks, employees tend to use them on public ones without any more security measures. This can allow attackers to access their organization’s systems.
Neglected Hardware
Employees may also lose track of their company’s devices, which could expose sensitive data. This can be an issue in hybrid or remote work environments. For instance, an employee may leave their laptop on the counter while they use the bathroom in a café. Someone could access their data or completely steal it after that.
Social Engineering
For cybercriminals who lack technical expertise, social engineering is a technique that involves convincing an employee to provide them with access to sensitive data.
Insider Threats
Despite the obvious risks associated with insider threats, it’s still important to consider how your employees can abuse their authorization to access your company’s systems.
How to Address Employee Risks
What steps should you take to address these types of employee risks?
Education
One of the most important steps that you can take to address employee risks is to provide ongoing education. This can include training employees on the latest cybersecurity techniques and how to manage their company’s technology.
Training
Extra training may also be required, and employees should be put through scenarios designed to test their response.
Better Policies
A more detailed policy can also help you address employee risks. For instance, it can provide details about when and how employees can use company-issued devices outside the workplace.
Evaluations
Conducting regular evaluations can also help you determine if your staff members are following your cybersecurity guidelines. In some cases, discipline may be necessary. However, it’s equally important to provide proactive measures to mitigate risks effectively. For instance, fostering a culture of awareness by offering resources such as secure online platforms like https://22bet.com/casino not only incentivizes responsible behavior but also reinforces the importance of cybersecurity within your organization.
Even if your employees are generally good-natured and talented, they still have the potential to introduce new risks to your company. To address these issues, you need to acknowledge them and put in place a combination of strategies.
