One of the biggest myths is that cyber security is only technology-related. The weakest security link in any system is the person sitting in front of the screen.
Cybercriminals know this and often target people rather than systems, using phishing attacks to trick people into clicking dangerous links or sharing sensitive data.
Have you ever clicked an email and later thought, ‘Should I have clicked that?’. It happens, and it highlights why relying on technology alone isn’t enough to keep your business secure.
During busy periods, you’re likely to make a mistake, so cybercriminals take advantage of this. They also target new employees who are more likely to follow through with suspicious requests, like an email from their boss asking to buy gift cards. Without proper training, these types of attacks can easily happen.
To avoid this, you must pay attention to people as much as you pay attention to technology. This means making your team aware of the kind of emails that are likely to be phishing, the kind of behaviours to look for, and what to do when they suspect they have made a mistake.
Two key approaches can help:
Employee Training: Regular cyber security awareness training teaches your team what to look for in phishing attempts and other scams. When they know the red flags, they are less likely to fall victim to attacks.
Phishing Simulations: Fake phishing emails are sent to your team to test how well they spot threats. If someone clicks on a link, it will help to identify who needs extra training.
The problem we often find is that businesses aren’t aware that they need these services.
With most IT support companies, you will buy the services you feel are important, so when phishing simulations and employee training aren’t on your radar, it’s possible your provider hasn’t offered it to you. It’s not that they don’t want to provide it – it’s often down to budget and priorities.
The question is: Has your IT support made you aware of these options?
If you’re not being offered comprehensive solutions, including education for your team, it’s time to ask, who’s got your back? Your IT support should be training you on how to prevent security breaches in the first place.
