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Cyber security training should be in-built to your company workflows, just like workplace safety information sessions, or code of conduct trainings. Companies will do well to ensure that employees recognize that cyber security is for everyone, and there are multiple ways that these lessons can be disseminated to be truly effective.
Cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of a company’s IT department; it is a universal concern. Every employee, regardless of their role, engages with company applications and networks through diverse means. Educating them about cyber security fundamentals is an essential tactic for reaching true cyber resilience. Negligence, even if unintentional, can lead to costly and damaging security breaches. Therefore, comprehensive policies, processes, and training are essential.
This article will provide an overview of how a well-rounded, thoughtful cyber security training program can be effected in your company.
Essential Cyber Security Training Topics
A robust cybersecurity training program should identify and educate about the range of tactics that cyber attackers use in order to gain access to systems. It should include examples of successful attacks in your industry and beyond, in order to guide employees about what they should be looking out for. Some core hacking tactics to include are:
- Email Phishing: Staff should be able to recognize and avoid phishing attempts.
- Identity Theft: Training should emphasize how to protect personal and company information.
- Malware: Employees must gain an understanding of the types and signs of malware.
- Passwords: Guidelines should be provided on best practices for creating and managing passwords.
- Ransomware: Staff should understand how to prevent and respond to ransomware attacks.
- Social Engineering: The workforce must be adept at identifying and countering manipulation tactics.
Timing and Frequency
The reinforcement of cyber security training is just as important as the quality of its content. Timing is crucial, and if your organization has not yet implemented training, it would be best to start immediately.
Regular reinforcement of the lessons is necessary, and it wise to schedule reminders and updates about the key lessons periodically. A recommended schedule is to launch initial training, following it up with refreshers two days, two weeks, two months, and four months later. It is important to also regularly update training content, to ensure that employees stay informed about the latest threats and best practices.
Delivery Methods
Cyber security training can be delivered in various formats, including:
- Online Videos: These can be recorded at the convenience of the instructors and accessed easily through your Learning Management System (LMS). Through videos, busy staff can learn at the their own pace. If this method is chosen, it is recommended that the staff submit a comprehensive test to ensure that they have gone through the training.
- Instructor-Led Courses: While these might be more costly, in-person training sessions are ideal for interactive learning and real-life scenario discussions, and ensure that staff are in attendance.
- Internal Communications: Regular updates via newsletters, intranet, or email reminders can be helpful to reinforce education.
- Physical Reminders: Posters and printed materials in common areas can be effective reminders and reinforce key learning points.
Customized Processes and Policies
Some aspects of the cyber security training process will be universal, such as password best-practices. Yet it is advisable that the larger program be tailored to different departments, roles, and individuals. The IT department will play a pivotal role in setting foundational components, such as password policies, anti-virus software updates, and regular data backups. Additional modules of a cyber security training program could include:
- Equipment Inventory: Employee will learn best practices for handling confidential information on company laptops, phones, and tablets.
- Public WiFi Guidelines: This will ensure safe practices for remote work that deals with sensitive information.
- ID Badge Access: This will apply to certain employees, to help them understand the need for securing areas with sensitive information.
- Personal vs. Work Files: Most employees will need guidelines for saving data on company hardware and networks.
Developing a comprehensive cyber security training program is essential to protecting business and employees. By educating their workforce, organizations reduce the risk of cyber incidents caused by human error, thereby strengthening their overall security posture. The cyber security training program should cover core hacking tactics such as email phishing, identity theft, malware, passwords, ransomware, and social engineering, providing real-world examples to help employees recognize and prevent these threats.
Organisers of the training sessions should note that the timing and frequency of training are crucial. Training can be delivered through online videos, instructor-led courses, internal communications, and physical reminders, each method serving different learning preferences. Additionally, the program should be customized to different departments and roles, addressing specific needs. Following these essential guidelines will help ensure that an organization protects its most valuable assets and has a security-educated and effective workforce.
