Your employees. Yep, you read that right.

While they are your company's greatest asset, employees are also your weakest link when it comes to cyber security.

In fact, a recent study found that human error contributes to 95% of all cyber security incidents. That is why companies must equip their employees with knowledge and training.

[Download our free Ultimate Guide to Data Security.]

Make a Plan

An effective training plan includes 4 primary characteristics:

• Specific - General topics are not as sticky as specific ones. So instead of email security, discuss phishing.
• Relevant - Each message should be tailored to your specific group. In healthcare, discuss healthcare-specific issues. In financial services, discuss financial services-related topics. In manufacturing … well, you get the idea.
• People-oriented - Center the training not purely on concepts, but take those concepts and put them in the context of what your employees experience.
• Consistent - Whatever your training schedule, stick to it. We find it beneficial to do a quarterly in-person training.

Security is not just a matter of checking a box. You can't just purchase a tool and be in the clear, despite how appealing that sounds. The ease and mobility of working in the interconnected 21^st Century businessworld comes at a price. That price is cyber security.

Next step

It’s important for business to develop an Acceptable Use Policy.

This policy is a description of how the organization plans to educate its employees about protecting company assets. It also includes an explanation of how security measurements will be carried out and enforced, and a procedure for evaluating the effectiveness of the security policy to ensure that necessary corrections will be made.

Want to learn more? Chat with our IT experts.

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