Why it’s important to train your employees on online security

One of the most common types of cyber threats is phishing

No matter the size of your online business, there is always the threat of hackers and cybercriminals who can potentially cause devastating consequences to your company.

If you employ others in your business, it’s up to you to provide relevant training to ensure your employees are up to date with how to stay safe online, which can add an extra layer of protection for your company. Here are a few reasons why it’s important to provide training for your employees on the subject of online security.

Types of Cyber Threats

There are all sorts of cyber threats that your employees need to be aware of. The more training you give your staff, the more likely they’ll be able to pinpoint and prevent cyber threats from ruining your business. One of the most common types of cyber threats is phishing, which involves obtaining personal information such as login credentials and credit card details from unsuspecting victims via email, telephone, or text message.

This is done by posing as a legitimate organization or entity. Employees also need to be aware of malware. This is a type of file or code that is designed to infect a computer network; it steals or conducts any sort of behavior an attacker wants.

Use Strong Passwords

When employees learn more about online security, they will understand how important a strong password is for their personal and professional accounts. Hackers always seem to be one step ahead, so doing all that you can to ensure your passwords are protected from identify theft and financial fraud is crucial. If your company uses cloud services, you can check out websites like mcafee.com to learn more about the types of cloud security practices that your company should implement, as well as further understanding cloud usage and risk factors.

Be Relevant and Comprehensive

For online security training to be effective, your security awareness program will need to be comprehensive. There are various ways that you can distribute information, such as through newsletters, blogs, and simulations. Choose the method that employees are more likely to take notice of and retain the information that’s provided. Employees need to be enthusiastic and willing to learn, so if you plan to conduct the training yourself, make sure to create a positive environment.

Give Immediate Feedback

When giving online security training to your employees, providing immediate feedback can let your employees know if they’re retaining the right information. To do this, you should offer hands-on training activities that enable you to test your employees’ preparedness routinely by evaluating how they react to a cyber threat. Make sure you are there to provide support and assistance, as well as give reassurance to those who are struggling.

Reward Secure Behaviours

As a business owner, all your time and effort should be put into making sure it runs smoothly and accordingly to plan, so having a workforce who are fully behind you and understand what it takes to keep your company safe and secure is important.

Informing your employees on the types of cyber threats, showing the importance of strong passwords, and providing training that’s relevant, informative, and interesting can help your staff work alongside you in ensuring your online business is safe and protected.

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