It’s easy to assume that a cyberattack could never happen to your business… until it does. Many small businesses still believe that they are too small to be targeted. However, it’s often easier to target a small business due to their limited security measures and lack of employee awareness. One of the biggest risks to cybersecurity is human error, with hackers preying on employees clicking on the links within phishing emails or using a weak, easily guessable password to gain access to critical systems.
This blog delves into how employee training can reduce the threat of cyberattacks for small businesses and explores how our expertise helps businesses in Brunswick educate their employees to ensure maximum security.
Human Error: The Biggest Cybersecurity Threat for Small Businesses
Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and when it comes to your business security, cybercriminals know that human mistakes are the easiest way to break into a network. According to a recent report, 68% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element, like an employee falling for a phishing scam or making an error. Let’s look at the most common types of attacks to target human error and how this puts small businesses at risk:
- Phishing Attacks: Employees may unknowingly click on malicious links or download infected attachments from emails designed to look legitimate.
- Weak or Reused Passwords: Many employees use the same password across multiple platforms, making it easier for hackers to gain access.
- Accidental Data Sharing: Employees may unintentionally share sensitive information with unauthorized parties, putting customer and business data at risk.
- Unsecured Devices & Networks: Using personal devices for work without proper security measures can expose business systems to malware and other threats.
How Employee Training Can Reduce Cyber Risks
Small businesses often invest in robust cybersecurity defenses, like firewalls and antivirus software. But without proper employee training, these defenses can be easily bypassed by human error. Employees act as a first defense against cybercriminals, so it’s important they are educated in the best practices to keep your business safe.
When you train your team to recognize risks and respond appropriately, you significantly reduce the chances of a successful cyberattack. Here’s how a trained workforce strengthens your cybersecurity:
Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing Scams
Remaining one of the most effective tactics of cybercriminals, phishing is used to gain access to critical systems. Employees should be trained to identify suspicious emails with red flags like urgent requests, unfamiliar senders, or grammatical errors. They should avoid clicking on unexpected attachments or links without verifying their legitimacy and confirm email authenticity by contacting the sender through official channels before sharing sensitive information. Additionally, regular phishing simulation exercises can test employees’ abilities in detecting scams to aid them in developing a security-conscious mindset.
Strengthening Password Security & Access Control
Using weak passwords and having poor credential management offers hackers easy entry into accounts. To prevent this, businesses should require employees to create complex passwords using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. There should be mandated use of password managers to store and generate secure credentials, while also using multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all work accounts to add an extra layer of security.
An affiliated IT company, Lighthouse IT, supports our recommendation of implementing MFA in a recent article of theirs. Focusing on the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses, they emphasize how employee education and strong access controls significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a cyberattack.
Practicing Safe Internet and Device Usage
Many cyber threats originate from unsafe browsing habits and unsecured devices. Employees should be trained to avoid downloading unverified software or visiting unsecured websites that may contain malware. Employees should also only use company-approved devices and VPNs when accessing business systems remotely, to ensure the upmost protection in place to protect confidential information. These devices should also be regularly updated and patches to ensure vulnerabilities cannot be exploited by hackers.
Protecting Sensitive Data from Accidental Leaks
Accidental data leaks can happen when employees send emails to the wrong recipient or attach the wrong file, share business data over unsecured networks, and leave sensitive information exposed on shared documents or cloud storage. To prevent data breaches, businesses should implement:
- Data classification policies, so everyone is clear on what information is sensitive and how it should be handled.
- Secure file-sharing protocols, including encrypted storage and access permissions.
- Regular audits to ensure compliance with company security policies.
Helping Brunswick Businesses Stay Secure
We proudly support small businesses in Brunswick with comprehensive IT support and cybersecurity that addresses the threats they face. At Coastal Computer Consulting, our employee cybersecurity training programs have been designed to empower your team to confidently prevent cyber threats by:
- Customized Cybersecurity Training: We tailor training sessions for your industry and specific business needs.
- Simulated Phishing Attacks: We test your employees with real-world phishing simulations to help them recognize and avoid scams.
- Ongoing Support & Education: We provide continuous training updates to keep your team prepared.
- Advanced IT Security Solutions: From firewall protection to 24/7 monitoring, we offer full-scale cybersecurity services to protect your business.
Take Action to Secure Your Business
Cyber threats are a certainty if businesses fail to prepare. By investing in employee training and proactive cybersecurity measures, you can drastically reduce your risk and protect your company from costly attacks. At Coastal Computer Consulting, we help small businesses in Brunswick build strong cybersecurity defenses through expert IT support and training. Contact us today to learn how we can safeguard your business from cyber threats.
