As the use of technology in the workplace continues to grow, so does the importance of cybersecurity. Large corporations are frequently targeted by hackers, but smaller enterprises may be even more appealing targets as they may not be able to devote as much attention to setting up cybersecurity protocols and are thus simpler to breach. Despite the increasing awareness of cybersecurity threats, many employees still do not take the necessary precautions to protect their data and devices.
Cybersecurity training considerably reduces this vulnerability. It may go a long way toward helping to defend your organisation if you educate yourself and your staff on the various areas that contribute to cybersecurity.
How can cybersecurity be improved in the workplace?
Here is a closer look at the seven cybersecurity guiding principles for organisations that all employees should be aware of and adhere to.
1. Learn how to avoid phishing
Phishing should be avoided at all costs. This includes pop-up adverts, unknown links, and emails from untrusted senders. Phishers aim to persuade you to click on a link that might lead to a data breach or spread harmful malware and ransomware.
Employees are targeted by phishing attacks in the hope that they click on pop-up windows or other malicious links that contain viruses and malware. As a result, it's critical to be wary of links and attachments in emails from unknown senders. You might allow hackers to penetrate your organisation’s computer network with only one click.
Remind your employees to never provide personal or corporate information in response to an unsolicited email or pop-up website. Identity theft can occur as a result of phishing. It is also how the majority of ransomware assaults take place.
2. Password security and authentication should be strong
Strong, complicated passwords can prevent cyber thieves from gaining access to data. Because simple passwords simplify access, creating unique, difficult passwords and updating them frequently is critical. If a cybercriminal cracks your password, they may get access to your organisation’s network.
A strong password includes numbers, capital letters, lowercase letters, symbols, and special characters and should be a minimum of ten characters long. Moreover, you should change passwords frequently. Your organisation may demand multi-factor authentication, requiring you to complete at least one more step, such as entering a temporary code delivered to your mobile to log in.
3. Use secure networks
Making sure your office's Wi-Fi network is protected and encrypted is a simple task; however, with the rise of remote work arrangements, businesses must provide their employees with the tools they need to keep their data safe wherever they are. Due to their unrestricted access and lack of critical security safeguards, public Wi-Fi networks represent a significant danger to cybersecurity.
When using devices on public Wi-Fi networks, organisations may safeguard employees and information security by requiring employees to use virtual private networks (VPNs) or proxies as an added security measure. VPNs provide for anonymous and untraceable internet activity, dramatically minimising the likelihood of unauthorised access to your organisation’s systems or network.
4. Invest in cybersecurity
Smaller businesses may be hesitant to invest in a high-quality security system because of the expense. This generally entails anti-virus, anti-malware software, and external hard drives for data backup and frequent system inspections. However, making that investment sooner rather than later might save businesses and employees money and legal fees should their security be breached – and outsourcing cybersecurity services can be more cost-effective in the long run.
5. Update software and patches
Keep software up to date and apply the latest updates on all devices. New vulnerabilities are found every day, and cybersecurity threats are always developing. To keep up with this, businesses must ensure that their employees' security software, web browsers, and operating systems are all up to date with the newest security features.
Anti-virus and anti-malware software is often updated in response to emerging new cyber threats. Employees must ensure that their personal devices, which they use to access the corporate network, have the latest security patches uploaded on all company equipment.
6. Create backups
The best way to keep corporate and personal information safe is to use a backup solution. Ransomware is one of the most serious dangers to data. Ransomware is a harmful virus that holds data storage locations hostage. Unless you pay a ransom, data is erased or rendered unavailable.
Although corporations are the most prevalent ransomware victims, there is an increase in private users being affected. To avoid such eventualities, you can protect your organisation's data safety by implementing continual backups of their vital information. You may back up your data to the cloud or a traditional hard disk. If a system is damaged or compromised, you can recover your data and resume business operations as efficiently as possible.
7. Take training seriously
Finally, cybersecurity training and certification should not be considered an afterthought or a compliance duty. Cybersecurity is not simply the duty of the IT department or the information security team; it is also the responsibility of each employee to know and understand their organisation’s cybersecurity policies and correctly apply them.
Managers and employees may gain knowledge about cyber dangers and enhance their capacity to detect risky email attachments properly and, as a result, avoid data breaches.
Keep Your Organisation’s Data Safe
Your staff play a critical role in your organisation's cybersecurity; by following these tips and best practices, employees are contributing to an increased level of cybersecurity. Allow our professionals to assist you. Contact LRQA for cybersecurity training to equip your managers and employees today.