Importance of Cybersecurity Training for Employees: Reduce Risks and Stop Cyber Attacks

Have you ever opened an email, clicked on an unfamiliar link, and thought, "What did I just do?" I've had a similar experience and it can be frightening. It is common to have this type of reaction, but it is an important moment that clarifies how important cybersecurity training is for employees.

An employee's single mistake may jeopardize the entire company. However, through training, every employee can be educated on how to protect themselves when using the internet.

Why Cybersecurity Training is Important to Employees​

Here's a question: Employees or hackers – who create more of the problems associated with information security?

If you answered employees, you are correct! Cyber criminals (hackers) are responsible for most of the cyberattacks because an employee clicked on a phishing email or provided information that he/she should not have provided.

Please understand that this isn't about blaming employees for their mistakes. Employees make mistakes just as we all do. Cybersecurity training allows employees to develop strong security skills, thus becoming an asset to their organization rather than a liability.

Cybersecurity Training Curriculum​

I did go to a boring presentation about cybersecurity training where they had a lot of slides and no relevant examples, and consequently, I learned absolutely nothing.

A good training program should be simple and effective. A good training program should focus on the following topics:

• Identify fake emails (phishing)
• Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Use the Internet and devices securely
• Report suspicious activities
• Recognize tricks used by scammers (social engineering).

When employees know these items, they can prevent any attack from occurring.

What Makes Interactive Training Effective?​

If you ever wonder why doing something will help you learn better than just listening to someone talk, consider this; when you learn with your hands you remember it longer.

The most effective training uses:

• Practice tests and email simulations
• Real-life scenarios
• Small refreshers instead of long boring lectures
• Quick activities or quizzes.

One time, I was invited to a fake phishing test and almost clicked on an incorrect link. I learned more from that experience in 10 seconds than I did from any other slide presentation.

Why Cybersecurity Training Matters​

Having engaging and motivating training is one of the keys to success for Cyber Security Training. If employees feel involved and take personal responsibility in it, they learn better.

For a business, Cyber Security Training helps to protect the business, quickly respond to any potential attacks and create a reliable and trustworthy environment for both its staff and its customers.

The cost to fix a cyber-attack will exceed the cost to prevent one. Ransomware attacks can lead to losses in millions of dollars for businesses - terrible news for the company!

Therefore, it would be wise to conduct Cyber Security Training to have all your staff (from the newest employee to the top-level management) armed with the skills necessary to maintain their safety while they are using electronic communications.