Benefits of Security Awareness Programs

Imagine your organization as a castle. The walls are high, the gates are strong, but the true strength lies in its knights – your employees. CIS Control 14 is about arming these warriors with knowledge and skills, transforming them into the first and most formidable line of defense against cyber threats. 🔐 What is CIS Control 14? Here, CIS Control 14 steps up, establishing a robust Security Awareness and Skills Training program. It's not just about having security measures in place; it's about ensuring every member of your workforce is equipped to uphold these defenses through conscious behavior and proper skills. 🎯 Why It Matters: - A security-conscious workforce can spot and stop threats before they escalate. - Training empowers employees, turning potential vulnerabilities into strengths. - Cultivating a culture of cybersecurity awareness is a game-changer for risk reduction. 🛡️ Key Safeguards: - Comprehensive Training Programs: Covering essential cybersecurity practices and threat recognition. - Regular Updates: Keeping the training current with evolving cyber threat landscapes. - Engagement and Testing: Interactive learning and real-world simulations to reinforce lessons. - Feedback Loops: Encouraging communication and continuous improvement in security practices. CIS Control 14 champions the notion that in the digital age, knowledge is not just power; it’s protection. Learn more here: CISecurity.org CIS Critical Security Controls Center for Internet Security #CIS #CISControl14 #SecurityAwareness #CyberSecurityTraining #CISA #CyberSecurity #SecurityHygiene #FoundationalSecurity #CISO

❗ As many of you probably know, before I was an FBI Special Agent, I was a teacher. Because of this background, I am focused on blending the concepts of cybersecurity and education together to help businesses and individuals stay safe so they can reduce the chance of becoming a cyber victim. I think the current method most companies take in offering cyber training once or twice a year is ineffective. In today's evolving cyber landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unprecedented challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. There is a fallacy out there that cybersecurity attacks mainly target large corporations, but the reality is far different. In fact, according to a recent report, nearly 43% of all cyber-attacks are aimed at SMBs, often because attackers expect less sophisticated defense mechanisms. Training and education is an area that is often also lacking in the SMB world. 🔑 Why One-Time Training Isn't Enough Initial training sessions on cybersecurity might give your team a foundational understanding, but cybersecurity is not a one-and-done endeavor. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and what was secure yesterday might not be secure today. Here's why continual training is crucial: 1️⃣ New Threats Emerge Daily: Cybercriminals are innovating faster than ever. Your team needs to keep up. 2️⃣ Technology Evolves: As your business adopts new technologies, new vulnerabilities may emerge that your team needs to be aware of. 3️⃣ Human Error: The most common cause of breaches is still human error. Regular training helps keep best practices at the top of mind. 🎯 Benefits of Continual Cybersecurity Education 1️⃣ Proactive Defense: Ongoing training helps employees recognize threats before they become incidents. 2️⃣ Compliance: Many industries require regular cybersecurity training for compliance purposes. 3️⃣ Employee Confidence: A well-educated staff is more confident in their daily operations, reducing stress and increasing productivity. 💡 Action Steps for SMBs 1️⃣ Annual Assessments: Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments annually, if not bi-annually. 2️⃣ Quarterly Training: Implement quarterly cybersecurity training and frequent drills. 3️⃣ Stay Updated: Keep abreast of the latest in cybersecurity news and update your training materials accordingly. Remember, cybersecurity is a journey, not a destination. As a business owner of leader, you need to prioritize the safety of your businesses, employees, and customers by investing in ongoing cybersecurity education. Stay safe and secure! 🔒 #Cybersecurity #SMBs #DataProtection #ContinualTraining #DigitalSafety #BusinessSecurity #knowledgeisprotection (image source - cyberpilot dot com)

"Attacks on browsers by phishing actors ballooned during the second half of 2023, increasing 198% over the first six months of the year." “Browsers are attractive for phishing attacks because those attacks are simple and effective... Users often don’t think twice when they see a login screen, as it’s a regular occurrence in web browsing. This kind of attack has a high success rate with minimal effort, making it preferred by malicious actors.” Bottom line: Technical controls alone won't protect your organization from a cyber attack. And, cyberattacks are evolving. “Generative AI can be weaponized to create highly personalized and convincing content and generate dynamic, legitimate-looking websites that are much harder to detect.” Kyle Metcalf contributed to The Tech News World article. If your #securityawarenesstraining program isn't evolving, you are becoming increasingly susceptible to human related incidents. We must stay ahead of the attackers with a #datadriven #humanriskmanagement program that delivers: 1. Visibility by detecting user behavior and quantifying human risk 2. Proactive response with targeted policy and training interventions based on human risk 3. Educates and enables employees to protect themselves and their organization against cyberattacks 4. Builds a positive security culture. https://lnkd.in/gTaE9TBW Living Security