Cyber security awareness and best practices
Learn the importance of employee engagement in cyber security through tailored training that addresses human behaviour.
Malina Henea
5th November 2024
Security awareness represents the individual’s understanding and knowledge of security risks and the appropriate protective measures to manage them. This can include knowledge of specific threats, such as cyber attacks or data theft, and ways to prevent them, such as using strong passwords and protecting personal data. Security awareness is vital to protect both individuals and organisations from potential risks.
Cyber security extends beyond technical issues; it’s fundamentally a human concern. Cyber criminals exploit human emotions and behaviours, making it essential for organisations to develop security awareness programs that address both the technical and psychological facets of cyber threats. By incorporating social sciences, psychology, and sociology principles, organisations can create more effective and comprehensive cyber security strategies that engage all employees, regardless of their technical knowledge. This blog explores how to develop such a program, focusing on the human factor and best practices for success.
The human factor in cyber security
Although technology is vital in cyber security, the human element often represents the most vulnerable point. Many cyber attacks, such as phishing and social engineering, take advantage of human weaknesses like trust, curiosity, and fear. Therefore, cyber security awareness training should focus on developing not only technical skills but also a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
Threat actors take advantage of moments of vulnerability or inattention, such as early in the morning when employees check emails or just before breaks when they might be rushing to finish tasks. These are times when employees are more likely to make mistakes, such as clicking on malicious links or responding to fraudulent requests.
Training programs must be designed to raise awareness of these critical moments and equip employees to recognise and resist potential threats.
Key elements of a human-centric cyber security awareness program
1. Cognitive focus and content delivery
A successful program should focus on the cognitive factors that influence decision-making. Social engineering attacks often succeed by making people act without thinking, mainly when the perceived risk is lower. In the physical world, we rely on our senses to detect danger, but in cyber space, these ‘sensors’ are absent, making it easier for attackers to deceive.
Training should highlight this shift in perception and teach employees to stay vigilant in online environments. Employees can learn to slow down and evaluate potential threats more effectively by reinforcing the need to think critically, even in cyber space.
2. Simple, accessible language
Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. To ensure broad engagement, it’s essential to use simple, accessible language in training materials. Complex jargon or highly technical terms can alienate employees without a technical background, reducing the effectiveness of the training.
A key objective of any awareness program should be to dispel the myth that cyber security is only relevant to IT staff. The best approach is to use language that resonates with all teams within the organisation, making the content relevant and understandable for everyone.
3. Beyond technical skills
While technical knowledge is essential, it should be complemented by communication and social skills. Many organisations focus solely on technical competencies, forgetting that a diverse workforce includes employees with varying levels of understanding and experience.
A comprehensive cyber security awareness program should cater to these differences, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their role, are equipped with the communication skills needed to ask questions, report incidents, and participate in maintaining a secure environment. Training should empower employees to apply best practices in their professional and personal lives, extending security behaviours beyond the workplace.
Continuous training and engagement
1. Short, regular training sessions
Continuous, bite-sized learning modules are one of the most effective ways to maintain awareness. These short, focused sessions, quick videos or interactive lessons, can be delivered regularly throughout the day, ensuring employees remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that developing habits takes time and repetition; the same principle applies to cyber security awareness. Ongoing education, with regular updates to address new threats, helps reinforce good habits and ensures that employees stay up to date with the latest security protocols.
Ideally, these training sessions should be less than six minutes long, making them easily fit into busy work schedules without causing disruption.
2. The power of gamification
Gamification is a highly effective tool for engaging employees in cybersecurity training. By introducing game-like elements, such as challenges, rewards, and competitions, organisations can transform what might otherwise be seen as a dull or burdensome task into something more enjoyable and motivating.
Incorporating game dynamics encourages employees to take an active interest in their learning and fosters a competitive yet positive environment. Whether individual or team-based, gamified learning helps sustain engagement and improves the retention of key lessons.
Building resilience through simulated training
1. Phishing simulations
To strengthen an organisation’s security, testing the human factor in real-world scenarios is crucial. Simulated phishing attacks are a valuable tool for assessing how employees respond to potential threats and identifying areas for improvement.
By gradually increasing the complexity of these simulations, organisations can improve overall resilience, teaching employees to recognise more sophisticated attacks. This training ground mirrors real-world cyber threats, allowing employees to practice in a safe environment.
2. Monitoring and reporting
Measuring the success of a cyber security awareness program requires ongoing monitoring and analysis. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as the number of employees who click on malicious links versus those who report them, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the training.
Organisations should track metrics such as:
- Total number of employees who clicked on phishing links.
- Total number of employees who reported suspicious activity.
- Percentage of employees who clicked and reported the attack.
- Percentage of employees who neither clicked nor reported the attack.
- Percentage of employees who did not click but reported the attack.
Regular reports, broken down by department, role, and even time of day, can help identify patterns and target areas for additional training.
A successful cyber security awareness program must be human-centric and adaptive to the changing cyber space. Organisations can create an environment where cyber security is a shared responsibility by focusing on the cognitive aspects of decision-making, using simple language, promoting continuous training, and leveraging gamification.
Simulated attacks and ongoing monitoring ensure that employees are prepared to respond effectively to real-world threats. By integrating these strategies into a cohesive program, organisations can transform employee behaviour and significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyber attacks.
