Train Your Employees To Be The First Line of Defense Against Cyber Attacks

Dear Reader,

People are the first line of defense in cybersecurity, and every organization is only as strong as its weakest link. Every member of an organization must be aware of its security policies and implement them in their day-to-day activities.

-Cisco Networking Academy (Cyber Threat Management)

This is why employee awareness plays a crucial role in keeping an organization secure. In this newsletter, we will discuss how to train employees on cybersecurity, resources that companies can use to educate employees, and best practices for ensuring that employees are aware of cybersecurity risks.

How to Train Employees on Cybersecurity

• Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions to ensure that employees are aware of the latest threats and best practices for keeping data safe.
• Customize your cybersecurity training to specific job roles to ensure that employees are aware of threats that are specific to their job functions.
• Using real-world examples of cyber attacks and their impacts can help employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and the risks associated with data breaches.

Resources for Employee Cybersecurity Training

• Online courses: Many online courses are available that can help employees understand the latest cybersecurity threats and how to keep data safe. 

Examples of online resources and companies that offer employee cybersecurity training:

1. SANS Institute : SANS offers a wide range of cybersecurity training courses, including courses specifically designed for employee education. Their courses cover topics such as phishing, social engineering, and password security.
2. KnowBe4 : KnowBe4 is a leading provider of security awareness training and a simulated phishing platform. Their training modules cover a wide range of topics, including email security, social engineering, and ransomware.
3. Cisco Security Awareness: Cisco offers a free, online cybersecurity training program called "Securing the Human." The program includes interactive training modules on topics such as phishing, passwords, and social engineering.
4. Cybrary : Cybrary is an online cybersecurity training platform that offers a wide range of courses for both IT professionals and non-technical employees. Their courses cover topics such as cybersecurity awareness, social engineering, and mobile security.
5. NCSA National Cybersecurity Alliance: NCSA is a non-profit organization that provides resources and tools to help businesses and individuals stay safe online. They offer a variety of cybersecurity training resources, including tip sheets, webinars, and online training courses.
6. Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC offers free resources and training to help businesses and employees understand cybersecurity risks and best practices. They offer a variety of resources, including videos, tip sheets, and online training courses.

These are just a few examples of the many online resources and companies that offer cybersecurity training for employees. It's important for your company to research and evaluate different options to find the best fit for your specific needs and budget.

• Webinars: Webinars are another great way to educate employees on cybersecurity best practices and can be customized to specific job roles.
• Security awareness programs: Security awareness programs are designed to educate employees on cybersecurity best practices and can be customized to your company's specific needs. For example, Microsoft offers many of its cybersecurity resources and training programs publicly, free of charge. 

IBM offers some of its cybersecurity training resources publicly, but also offers more in-depth training and consulting services that may require payment.

Government bodies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offer many of their cybersecurity resources and training programs publicly, free of charge. However, some of their resources and programs may be targeted towards specific industries or organizations.

Best Practices for Employee Cybersecurity Awareness

Strong Password Policy: Companies should enforce strong password policies to ensure that employees are using secure passwords that are difficult to guess. A strong password would consist of: 

• At least 12 characters long, although some experts recommend even longer passwords.
• Be complex, meaning that it should contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !, @, #, $, %, etc.).
• Be unpredictable and not based on easily guessed information such as names, birthdates, or common words.
• Be unique and not used for multiple accounts or systems.
• Avoid using common patterns such as sequential numbers or letters (e.g., 12345 or ABCDE) or repeated characters (e.g., AAAA or 1111).
• Be as random as possible. Using a password manager that generates random passwords can help ensure strong, unique passwords for each account.
• It's important to update passwords regularly to help ensure continued security. Experts generally recommend updating passwords every 90 days.
• By incorporating these elements into your passwords, you can help make them strong and more difficult for attackers to guess or crack.

Regular software updates: Your company should ensure that all software used by employees is up to date to prevent vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Reporting suspicious activity: Employees should be encouraged to report any suspicious activity they encounter to their Manager or IT department immediately.

In conclusion, employee awareness plays a crucial role in keeping organizations secure. By investing in regular cybersecurity training sessions, using resources available for employee education, and implementing best practices for employee cybersecurity awareness, companies can ensure that their employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and the role they play in keeping the organization safe.

Thank you for Reading!

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