Why is Cybersecurity Training Important?

In recent years, most organizations have begun to sync to the Cloud in some form or another. While the Cloud and digital networks, in general, offer many benefits, they also open up new vulnerabilities for a company. Specifically, cyberattacks orchestrated by criminals can leave any business with a tarnished reputation and monetary losses. To that end, all businesses must understand the importance of cybersecurity training and quick tips for educating employees.

Why Does Cybersecurity Training Matter?

Put simply, cybersecurity training matters due to the increased prevalence of cyberattacks in recent years. In 2022 alone, there were 480 thousand cyberattacks, and in 2023, it was determined that every three out of four companies were at risk of a material cyberattack. The prognosis for 2024 fares no better, with experts estimating that cybercrime will cost the U.S. a combined total of over 452 billion dollars.

Based on all of the above data, it should be clear to see why implementing an effective cybersecurity training curriculum within your organization matters. Reputational damage and financial costs can have lingering impacts that leave even the strongest businesses staggering.

5 Tips for Implementing Cybersecurity Training

As mentioned above, cyberattacks can lead to multiple types of damage to a business. However, with the following five tips, you can start to build out cybersecurity training that educates employees on the dangers of cybercriminals as well as the common techniques they use to fool companies.

1. Schedule regular and consistent training: Training is only effective if the information remains top of mind, which is why you should plan out cybersecurity training to occur at regular intervals throughout the year.
2. Develop a performance improvement plan: Find out where vulnerabilities have occurred in the past and use those experiences to build out targeted training that can protect against the most common attacks against your business.
3. Perform a gap analysis assessment: Similar to a performance improvement plan, take the time with experts to conduct a gap analysis in which you evaluate your entire business’s network to find weak spots, openings, and more.
4. Deploy simulations: To ensure the training you offer is being retained, test your employees quarterly, or at any interval, by attempting to lure them with email phishing techniques or some other strategy.
5. Ensure repercussions are in place: While not a pleasant thought, employees who routinely put your organization at risk need to be reprimanded for showing that the stakes are high in regard to cybersecurity.

Bolster your security network today

No business is safe when it comes to threats from cyber criminals. With that said, any business can take the time to build out effective cybersecurity training, which reduces the efficacy or frequency of cyber-attacks. If your Akron, Columbus, or Cleveland area business needs help developing a cybersecurity training curriculum or implementing cybersecurity measures that keep you protected, reach out to Warwick right away!