Many businesses should conduct cybersecurity awareness training at least once a year. This is required by many insurance companies and business compliance requirements. Of course, the obvious reason for training is increased security. A recent study found that 10% of small businesses failed after a data breach. In addition, the average cost of a data breach will reach $4.24 million by 2020. If you haven’t started your training program yet, now is the time to do so.
Computer-based training
Using computer-based Cybersecurity awareness training can help companies keep their data safe. Cybersecurity awareness training is designed to create a security-aware culture and mindset within an organization. Providing such training can help employees adapt to the ever-changing nature of cyber threats. Many organizations require security awareness training in order to comply with various regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Payment Card Initiative. However, it’s not necessary for small and medium-sized companies, though they can benefit from the public image and revenue of a firm that offers cyber security awareness training.
The demand for computer-based cyber security awareness training continues to rise, and spending on these services jumped 40 percent to $490 million in 2018. Such training is especially useful for changing employees’ behavior and developing a security-aware culture. It can include realistic phishing simulations, such as those used to trick employees into clicking on suspicious links. Training programs can also be customized to include interactive components such as simulated Phishing emails that are designed to trick employees into clicking on non-approved links.
Written procedures
Effective security awareness training must be part of a company’s culture and must be thoroughly strategized. While presenting security awareness training to management can be challenging, the benefits of such a program are clear. Outline the goals of the program, staff responsibilities, and time commitments. Clarity about budget impact is helpful for management. Listed below are some tips to help you prepare for cyber security awareness training.
Information security risks include social engineering, phishing, and web browsing. Employees should be educated on social media and be informed of the company’s mobile device policy. Employees should be trained on how to protect their personal information and secure their computers. They should also be taught to back up any sensitive information. Lastly, employees should accept updates to virus protection. If an employee does not understand these procedures, they may be a security liability.
Executive buy-in
To build a successful cybersecurity awareness program, executive buy-in is crucial. The executive buy-in will remove potential roadblocks and validate the security initiative. It will also make it easier to push for the adoption of company policies and procedures. This article will discuss why executive buy-in is critical for a cybersecurity training program. A cybersecurity awareness program is only as effective as its leadership. If you can obtain executive buy-in early on, the program will be more effective.
Cybersecurity awareness training with executive buy-in should start at the top. Executive buy-in will help your team understand the importance of cybersecurity and why it is a top priority. As a result, the executive team will understand the risks of a data breach and define new business practices that will minimize the risk. Managers should also lead the discussion with their teams, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity. However, executive buy-in may not be enough.
Time and consistency
A successful cybersecurity awareness program should include general cybersecurity threats, how hackers compromise systems, and top targets. Additionally, it should include an overview of the hacking ecosystem and the cost of lost data. The initial training should take place in person with a presentation that highlights the risks hackers pose to companies. It should also include a slide presentation that shows how hackers affect the industry. If possible, the presentation should also include a live website, as this will keep the audience interested and engaged. Following the initial training, it’s possible to conduct a recorded webinar focusing on updated information and providing a quiz to measure the effectiveness of the presentation.
Another important component of any security training program is timing. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm employees with dozens of modules in a single session. Instead, consider creating an editorial calendar for security training that spreads knowledge over the course of a year. That way, employees will be continually learning and building a culture of security around the organization. The best security awareness training strategy will be consistent and bite-sized, with ample opportunity for end users to test their new knowledge and skills.
Cost
A recent study by Bromium found that the average amount of time spent on cyber security awareness training is around 7 hours per year. It also shows the time involved by HR, IT, legal, and other departments in putting together and delivering training programs. This could lead to an increased cost of $300,000 or more per year for organizations of all sizes. However, the investment is definitely worth it. With so many benefits, there are several factors that should be considered in calculating the cost of cyber security awareness training.
The first factor to consider when evaluating the cost of cybersecurity awareness training is the ROI. The return on investment is calculated by Osterman Research by factoring in the average cost of cyber risk reduction, which can be adjusted to get an accurate ROI. The ROI is based on the annual per-user costs of disinfecting workstations, removing major malware, and restoring lost productivity. A good security awareness program should result in a decrease in such costs.
