Cybersecurity For Small Business: Awareness Training

Your employees are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your small business against cyber attacks. That’s why ensuring that they’re properly trained is essential to any cybersecurity strategy. The best way to strengthen your employees’ skills at identifying possible cyber attacks is through employee cyber security awareness training.

Why is Cyber Security Awareness Training Important?

With remote work becoming more popular, more companies are providing fully remote or hybrid options to their employees. Unfortunately, many of these workers aren’t trained on best practices in cybersecurity. A 2021 report found that nearly half of all employees in the United States do not receive continuous cybersecurity training. More online information is available than ever before, and fewer people are prepared to protect it. Essentially, it’s a gold mine for cybercriminals.

By training your employees in cyber security awareness, you’re giving your small business a solid first line of defense against cyber-attacks.

What Should be Included In A Cyber Security Awareness Training?

A Cyber Security Awareness Training program should cover fundamental topics in cyber security, including the most common cyber threats for small businesses. The following are some topics that should be included in your cyber security awareness training:

• Phishing. This is one of the most popular ways that hackers attack their targets. It occurs when cyber attackers send an email to an employee that tricks them into clicking a link to update or enter their password. The link then gives the hacker access to information or starts a download of malware onto business computers.
• Secure Passwords. Having secure passwords that are unique and must be changed regularly is great practice for your employees.
• Social Engineering. Social engineering is the practice of using social interactions to coerce people into doing something. In cyber attacks, this may look like someone requesting sensitive information. Employees should learn to recognize this type of attack, so they are not manipulated into divulging sensitive data.
• Incident Response. An incident response plan that your entire team is trained on will ensure a quick response if an attack happens.
• Mobile Security. Many people think cyber security is only important for laptops and desktops. Your employees should also understand that they must be cautious when using company phones and tablets.

What Three Basic Items Should be Used for Security Awareness Training?

For training to be successful, it needs to check these three boxes:

• Annual training to keep up to date on recent technological changes.
• Monthly checks to consistently maintain a fresh mindset about cybersecurity.
• Random tests to keep employees on their feet and ensure they’re constantly prepared.

Train Your Employees in Cyber Security Awareness Now

If you’re like most small business owners, you don’t have a team dedicated to cyber security. Luckily, that’s both common and easy to fix. Sol Minion Development has been helping small businesses protect their online information and secure their data for over 20 years.

Contact us today to review your cybersecurity awareness training.

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