In today's business world, data security is more important than ever before. With the rise of cybercrime, it's essential that businesses take steps to protect themselves. While many businesses invest in robust security systems, they often overlook the most vulnerable part of their network: their employees. According to a study done by Stanford University alongside a top cybersecurity organization, 88% of all data breaches are caused by human error. Human error is a major problem when it comes to IT security and it can have devastating consequences for businesses. Let's take a look at some of the ways human error can jeopardize your business' data security.
Phishing Attacks
One of the most common ways that cybercriminals gain access to business networks is through phishing attacks. Phishing attacks are emails or other communications that appear to be from a trusted source but are actually from an attacker. These communications usually contain a link or attachment that, when clicked, will install malware on the victim's computer. Once the attacker has access to the victim's computer, they can then gain access to the rest of the network. The best way to protect against phishing attacks is to educate your employees about how to spot them and perform ongoing phishing tests to test employees on whether or not they can spot these potentially malicious emails. Employees should be taught to be suspicious of any email or communication that comes from an unknown source or that contains spelling or grammatical errors. They should also be instructed not to click on any links or attachments unless they are absolutely sure that they are from a trusted source.
Weak Passwords
Another way that human error can jeopardize your business's IT security is by using weak passwords. Many people choose passwords that are easy to remember but easy for hackers to guess as well. Hackers can use password-cracking tools to quickly guess weak passwords and gain access to business networks. To prevent this from happening, businesses should require employees to use strong passwords that contain a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Employees should also be instructed to change their passwords regularly. You should also be implementing two-factor authentication, which requires users to enter both a password and a code that is sent to their mobile device in order to log in. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to accounts, even if they have the password.
Poor Physical Security
Many businesses focus solely on digital security when protecting their networks but overlook physical security as well. Poor physical security can give hackers easy access to business premises and computer systems. To prevent this from happening, businesses should invest in physical security measures such as locks, alarms, and CCTV cameras. They should also conduct background checks on all employees and contractors who have access to business premises.
How to reduce the risk of human error?
The biggest action you can take when it comes to reducing the risk of human error is educate. When everyone understands the importance of data security and knows how to spot potential threats, you can reduce the risk of a major security breach. Cybersecurity training should be an ongoing process, not a one-time event. As new threats emerge, your employees need to be updated on the latest risks and how to protect against them. Make sure to include cybersecurity training as part of your new employee orientation process and plan regular refresher courses for all employees. By investing in proper cybersecurity training, you can help keep your business safe from cyberattacks.
If you have more questions on how to reduce the risk that your employees pose to your business’ data, get in contact with our team to talk about how you can create robust trainings, processes, and procedures to give you peace of mind.