Over the past several years, some of the world’s best-known companies have been hit by cyber-attacks. Yahoo, American Express, LinkedIn, Target… these are just a few examples of companies that have been breached by cyber assailants, compromising sensitive customer information like credit card and Social Security numbers. These attacks have been exorbitantly costly, not just in terms of legal fees and financial restitution, but also in a diminished public reputation.
Sadly, cyberattacks don’t just impact huge, multinational businesses. They also hit small companies. In fact, small businesses are uniquely vulnerable to cyber-attacks, with more than 90 percent of all hacking incidents involving smaller companies.
Costly cyber incidents have increased exponentially since 2020, for a simple reason: More and more employees now work from home, where cybersecurity measures tend to be pretty lax. It’s worth noting that an overwhelming percentage of small business cyber-attacks stem from simple employee errors; for example, employees opening emails from unknown senders, clicking on questionable links, or connecting to mysterious networks.
The Solution is Employee Training
Most small businesses can’t afford the massive expense associated with a cyber breach. The question is, what can be done to avoid it?
Given that most cyber-attacks hinge on employee behavior, the clear answer is training. Along with proper IT governance and network security, employee training is one of the most impactful ways to protect your small business from online assailants.
This training can encompass a number of subjects. It’s typically recommended that business leaders provide transparency about the company’s overall approach to cybersecurity. Additionally, IT needs to provide employees with training regarding the available cybersecurity and virus protection programs. These days, it’s pivotal to make these trainings available to remote employees, ensuring they know how to keep their devices and linked accounts safe even when working from home.
Additionally, employee training should cover basic user behaviors, including common errors that lead to cyber-attacks. Employees should be given information about spotting phishing emails, avoiding suspicious downloads, and practicing good browser policies in general. Tips on password security may also go a long way.
Finally, ensure employees know where they can turn (ideally to IT) if they ever have a specific question about an email, website, or link.
Protect Your Small Business from Cyber-Attacks
Ultimately, employee training is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to safeguard your business against online attacks. Make cybersecurity a core component of your employee development programming. And with any question about how to facilitate employee training, don’t hesitate to contact the team at FullHR.