As companies around the world are looking to cut budgets and save money, one area that often falls victim is staff training. However, those organisations considering cutting back on cybersecurity training might want to think again. Here are seven reasons why:
1. Meeting compliance requirements
This is the most basic reason why organisations should invest in staff training. As more governments introduce regulation around data protection, more responsibility is being placed on organisations to ensure they are protecting customer and employee data…and there are hefty fines if they don’t. Staff training is one way to ensure that everyone in the organisation knows how to comply.
2. Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility
According to a recent Verizon report, 74% of all breaches include the human element, with people being involved either via error, privilege misuse, use of stolen credentials or social engineering. This means that anyone in your organisation could be a weak link and so everyone should know what to look out for and how to respond to a potential threat.
3. Social engineering is a key method for criminals
Continuing on from the point above, 1 in 3 data breaches involve phishing and they could target any employee. Training staff to look out for suspicious emails and teaching them how to respond can reduce this risk.
4. Remote work brings new risks
With hybrid working more common now since the pandemic, there are more opportunities for security vulnerabilities through employees. During 2020 when remote working was at its peak, 20% of organisations experienced a breach due to a remote worker. Making staff aware of what they need to do differently when using their computer or accessing files outside of the office can help.
5. It can give a positive ROI
Whilst staff cybersecurity training alone won’t replace an infosec team, it can strengthen the organisation’s overall security situation with little extra investment, which is particularly important in times when budgets are tight.
6. Data breaches are costly
They’re also becoming more common, with the annual number of data compromises and individuals impacted in the United States increasing from 447 in 2012 to 1802 in 2022. So, investing in training now could save money in the long run.
7. Build trust with your customers
Finally, with data breaches making the news more regularly, people are becoming more concerned about it. Nearly 2 out of 3 consumers would stay away from an organisation that had experienced a cyber attack in the past year. By investing in staff training, you’re showing your customers you take their concerns seriously and are proactively working to protect their data. Over the long run this will add to customer trust and loyalty.