How to train employees on cyber security

Understanding how to train employees in cybersecurity will help you protect your employees and your company from attacks by cybercriminals. 

In an increasingly digitalized world, it is completely impossible to do without cyberspace. Phishing (identity theft), data theft, malware (malicious software), ramsonware (extortion) are just a few examples of the dangers to which you can be exposed. 

Since there is no such thing as total protection, and to avoid the reputational and economic impact of these attacks, it is essential that you build a culture of security in your organization.

In this article you will find 14 effective tips to train your teams in cybersecurity. 

Why cybersecurity training is important?

The importance of cybersecurity lies in the proliferation of digital environments in both personal and business contexts. Proportionally to the success of digitization, cyber attacks and digital security breaches have skyrocketed. 

Technical security controls that were effective until now, such as firewalls, passwords or email security measures, are no longer sufficient to combat the increasingly creative techniques of criminals.

Understanding that most cyber threats require human intervention to be activated, and that no matter how many layers of security are implemented in the systems, it is practically impossible to avoid 100% of the risks, cybersecurity training is necessary.

How to train employees in cybersecurity: 14 tips for preparing your team

Cybersecurity training provides your teams with tools, techniques and best practices that facilitate the detection of potential threats and the implementation of effective protection measures.

Assess your company’s weaknesses

In any strategy it is necessary to begin by evaluating the weak points, in order to focus the greatest efforts on solving them. 

Analyze existing security systems and possible security flaws in your organization’s communication and exchange channels such as e-mail, payment systems, cloud infrastructure, intranet, etc.

Create a culture of cybersecurity

You must involve everyone in your company and work on security values in your risk management and prevention strategy. 

Conveying the importance and need to pay attention to cybersecurity requires a structured and continuous program that cannot be limited to a specific intervention, it must be part of the company’s culture.

Address key cybersecurity issues

Cybersecurity training must be holistic, i.e. address all the areas it can affect. In other words, it should focus not only on technical protection solutions but also on psychological solutions and approaches. 

For example, it is just as important to address issues such as what malware is and how it acts, or social engineering, as it is to understand the dangers that can come with optimistic bias based on people not believing they could be victims of cybercrime.

Focus on cyber defense

The best way to combat an attack is to prevent it from occurring, and in this sense, defense plays a key role.

In this scenario, it is not only necessary for each employee to pay attention to the security warnings of defense systems, but also to be aware of the importance of updating programs and not trusting messages from unknown sources.

Here, training your teams in digital privacy and data confidentiality is also relevant.

Train your employees in digital hygiene 

Digital hygiene is a set of easy-to-follow best practices to limit devices and systems from becoming gateways for attackers.

These measures include not clicking on suspicious links, limiting personal posts on digital platforms that can be used to gain your trust, learning how to detect fake URLs on web pages, etc.

Teach your teams to detect suspicious actions

Cybersecurity training must include techniques for detecting suspicious activity. 

Some examples are: the sudden appearance of applications or programs that have not been reported in the company, unexplained computer slowdowns, tabs in the browser that have not been opened, etc.

Implement an effective problem-reporting system.

Another important factor is to encourage employees to promptly report any suspected irregularities in the operation of systems. 

You can even enable a reward system for employees who have prevented a cyber-attack through their actions.

Opts for awareness-raising instead of training

The objective of cybersecurity training is to acquire knowledge that will enable effective protocols to be followed. 

But beyond achieving compliance with standards, it is much more motivating and effective to raise awareness of the problem of being a victim of security and the consequences it can have for the company. 

Awareness of the personal benefits of training

Linked to the need for awareness that we have just discussed, you must help your employees understand that digital security training is also beneficial on a personal level to avoid cyberthreats.

You can do this by sharing with them techniques and tools that they can apply beyond work and that they can share with friends and family. In this way, you will reinforce their commitment to training.

Presents attractive content

One way to encourage attention in a training program is to combine different content formats and introduce simulations of different types of attacks to learn how to detect them quickly.  

In the same vein, visual materials (such as posters, brochures, videos and infographics) are easy to process and therefore help to influence people’s behavior. 

Constantly updates the contents

When we spoke a few lines ago about the importance of establishing a culture of cybersecurity in the company, it is precisely because of the evolving nature of attacks and social engineering strategies. 

Thus, the contents you propose in your training must be updated and training must be regular to reflect new trends.

Involves marketing and communication teams

Also train your marketing and communication teams in cybersecurity so that they can help you disseminate security content in a creative, effective and attractive way, both internally and externally. 

Think that your suppliers and customers will feel safer collaborating and hiring companies that are committed to digital security, something that, moreover, reinforces your brand image.

Incorporates methodologies such as microlearning

Opt for learning strategies that make it easier for the message to reach its target audience in a simple and effective way.

Here, approaches such as microlearning will be of great help, especially when it comes to understanding complex concepts. This is a technique that breaks down a complex idea into small pills of information.

Always remember the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid, which is often used to improve understanding of complex ideas, especially for people who are not familiar with the more technical aspects of cybersecurity.

Choose effective evaluation processes

Now that you know how to train employees in the new cybersecurity systems, do not forget the evaluations, as they will help you to enhance the knowledge acquisition of your trainings.

Assessments in digital media must inevitably take place in secure environments that protect the privacy and security of users. In this way, they themselves become an example of good practices that reinforce what has been learned.

At Smowltech we help you supervise your tests remotely with a wide range of proctoring plans that provide you with innovative solutions.

Request your free demo so we can detail how we combine innovation, integrity, efficiency and security.