As they become more aware of the threat of attack and the damage that even a single breach can cause, small businesses prioritise employees cybersecuritytraining.
Cyberattacks increased by 300 percent between 2020 and 2021, with 50% of them targeting small businesses, according to Microsoft. Additionally, a small company’s average cost of a cyber breach in 2019 was £11,000, according to Hiscox.
Additionally, one small business in the UK experiences a successful hack every 19 seconds, according to Hiscox. According to government statistics, phishing attacks accounted for 83% of all attacks in the year before March 2022. However, one in five businesses also acknowledged having fallen victim to more sophisticated attacks like ransomware, malware, or denial of service.
In this article, we’ll examine the need for cybersecurity among remote workers and the proper education to give them.
Why should I teach my house employees about cybersecurity?
The first is a rise in online threats. According to the World Economic Forum, one of the biggest issues for businesses over the next five years will be cyber risks.
Small businesses may be tempted to believe that because of their size, they are impervious to hacking. In some situations, this shows that the business is unprepared and therefore vulnerable. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) could impose a fine as a result of a data breach, adding insult to injury.
A loss of client trust is arguably the largest hazard to enterprises. RedSeal reports that 33% of companies say they have lost customers as a result of a data breach. Another study found that 29% of organisations suffer revenue losses as a result of data security breaches. For instance, customers may choose one of your competitors or leave a negative review if your website is down.
The risk of a cybersecurity compromise may not always be known to employees utilising their personal WiFi network. They could be unaware that devices on their home network could make company data more vulnerable.
No small business operates in a vacuum. It is also advantageous to target SMEs because they are commonly employed as a supply chain link, according to Andy Robertson, head of Fujitsu Cyber Security at Fujitsu UK&I. These large corporations are frequently crucial collaborators, suppliers, or clients, but robust security measures ensure that no connection is compromised.
In-person or online training?
Even while this can seem like an odd topic for an essay on home workers, it’s crucial to take into account. The kind, size, and sector of your firm will probably influence how you conduct your training. Smaller staff bases might only want to participate in in-person training sessions, whereas the IT department of an eCommerce company might prefer more specialised training.
Here are the benefits and drawbacks of in-person versus online training at a glance:
In-person
Pros
- Employees can ask questions
- Works well for small groups
Cons
- More expensive
- More difficult to arrange regular training
Online
Pros
- Cheaper
- More flexible for employees
- Access to a wider range of providers
- Easier to track employee progress
Cons
- Possibly less engagement with employees
- May not be able to get assistance out-of-hours
Mix it up however you decide to proceed. Variety in training, according to DeltaNet International CTO Jason Stirland, is essential. According to him, businesses can use a combination of microlearning (short, five-minute courses) and gamified, interactive, scenario-led learning to engage their staff.
What should be covered in cybersecurity training?
Everyone should receive introductory training, which should be divided into digestible sections for audience comprehension. The level of technological expertise of the team receiving instruction should be taken into account when designing any additional training.
You have the option of doing the training yourself or hiring a pro. Of course, if you have the necessary expertise on staff and are able to communicate with employees in a way that is consistent with your company’s culture, it will be less expensive to complete. However, a third party would have specialised knowledge and expertise, decreasing the likelihood that they would be caught off guard.
If you go with a third party, some training courses are offered by qualified instructors who are certified by the National Cyber Security Centre Training. The “knowledge domains” of the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge must be reflected in the lessons of these training programs. A list of training providers for each level is available on the NCSC website.
Make sure the training provider you choose offers the following:
- How to create a strong password
- What common attacks look like
- Signs that a device might be affected by suspicious activity
- What multi-factor authentication is and why it’s important
- Securing at-home internet and devices
Basic rules of thumb like locking screens while away, storing devices in a secure location while not in use, and regularly changing strong passwords should also be mentioned by training providers.
Make sure employees are aware of how to disclose a cyberattack and that doing so won’t result in a penalty; otherwise, they might be afraid to report it at all.
Even beyond what employees do, training should be provided. “For home workers, companies should strive to provide training not just for employees but give practical guidance and knowledge that can extend to all family members,” said Javvad Malik, the lead security awareness advocate at KnowBe4. This can involve teaching family members how to recognise a strange website or phishing attempt on their own devices, or it might involve keeping hardware away from small children. The objective, according to Malik, is to empower employees with the knowledge necessary to make better risk judgments, not to guarantee that they have received several hours of training or are cybersecurity experts.
Simulated activities
Regular simulation exercises where you, for instance, send out phishing emails are an exciting way to make sure that lessons stick. Count the quantity of comments and/or link clicks.
John Blackburn, the operations director of Central Networks and Technologies, concurs with this. He claimed that it is possible to create a fake scam email and send it to the employees, giving companies a chance to assess how vulnerable their business would have been in the event of a genuine attack. This should be carried out periodically as it will help determine whether additional training is required and whether any particular subject areas require concentration.
It requires more than just sending an email and waiting for a response. When choosing who the training is for, Nick Ross, a cybersecurity consultant at Trend Micro, suggests taking into account various campaigns directed at various departments. In addition, think about how often you’ll perform phishing campaigns, what training you’ll offer thereafter, and how you’ll track results and development. When you’re up and going, Ross advocated kicking things up a notch. Avoid patterns that are easy to identify, such as starting your ads on the first of every month or using the same template for three consecutive quarters. You can guarantee realistic ratings by leaving your users in suspense.
In this case, trend awareness will be helpful. Also, keep in mind that you are emulating the bad guys, Ross advised. Attackers frequently take advantage of seasonal patterns. The best times to run a simulation with a tax subject are in the months of February, March, and April. Attacks with an e-commerce focus are also most effective in November and December. Think about when to run your simulations to enhance effectiveness.
Resources following training
It would be advantageous to have some permanent resources on hand that your staff members may use as needed. After the training sessions are over, provide the personnel printed instructions that are simple to find. “How Do I?” guides like “How Do I Create a Strong Password?” are recommended by the NCSC.
A business continuity plan, which outlines how a firm would function in the case of an interruption like a cyberattack or employees deciding to work from home once again, is also essential. The co-founder and director of Everything Tech, Lee Wall, says that these plans should outline catastrophe recovery procedures and detailed concepts for how the company will operate in the near and long terms.
For more information on cybersecurity training for your remote workforce, visit the following website.
