Cyberattacks rank as one of the most serious risks in any
industry, regardless of the size of your business. Thus, investing in a
business’s cybersecurity should be the priority of any team leader. Let’s say
you already have a strong cybersecurity program for your company, but how can
you motivate your employees to stick to it?
Importance of Cybersecurity in Businesses
The first ever computer virus was created in the 1970s.
Then, in 1988, the Morris worm became the first huge internet
attack, scaring hundreds of users and businesses. As internet usage grew in
popularity, so did the number of cyber criminals and threats. Now, businesses
and individuals are so reliant on new technology that they can’t imagine the
world without it, and hackers are using this opportunity for personal gain.
Data has become a company’s most important asset, making
it a prime target for hackers. With the majority of information stored online,
the methods hackers use to access data are becoming increasingly sophisticated
and harder to detect. And if sensitive data is lost, the organization may not
be able to recover.
Moreover, most government regulations mandate strict
cybersecurity rules and standards. So, unless the company adheres, it can’t
conduct any activities.
All these factors motivate businesses to adopt a culture
of shared responsibility in their teams. Every team member is responsible for
the business’ cybersecurity, which includes adhering to certain policies, using
safeguarding tools, and being aware of cyber threats.
Making Cybersecurity a Part of the Team’s Routine
Each company should have its own unique cybersecurity
program and preventative measures, as there is no universal set of rules. Not
to mention that every company deals with different data and market challenges.
The program can depend on the business’s required security level, local laws,
and risk tolerance.
Nonetheless, there are some universally accepted steps
you can take to help your company’s employees establish good cybersecurity
habits.
Host training sessions with experts
In business, cybersecurity should be everyone’s
responsibility. But who does a better job of explaining that than cybersecurity
experts? Invite one to your company and hold a few training sessions on how to
protect data and business from potential cyberattacks. Every employee should take
part in such training.
Make sure to come up with practical training as well,
letting your workers experience phishing, malware, ransomware, and other types
of intrusion. Motivate the most aware employees with bonuses and prizes.
Utilize security tools
In cybersecurity, there is so much you have to take care
of. Thankfully, there are many tools and software to help you out. Whether your
employees are working in the office or remotely, make sure to employ a password manager for IT teams. This tool will help your IT team securely
distribute account credentials for internal systems to employees, preventing
unauthorized access, leaks, or changes to sensitive information.
Additionally, such a tool can help your IT team monitor
each company account’s activity and see whether anyone outside the company is
trying to access any of the protected accounts.
Encourage safe internet browsing
For employees working remotely or on business trips,
recommend turning on a VPN when accessing public networks, or even better,
suggest using eSIMs.
While a VPN protects any device connected to a public
Wi-Fi network, eSIM allows for a secure mobile connection. But before
purchasing random tools to access the internet, make sure to search for the best eSIM for Europe or the most trusted VPNs. This will ensure you’re
getting both great protection and a great deal.
Implement regular reminders
Informing your employees about new security policies once
might not be enough. You should implement reminders whenever possible. Printing
relevant posters and hanging them in the office can help on-site workers, and
creating email campaigns will benefit remote employees.
Additionally, you can launch quarterly or yearly internal
campaigns that are both entertaining and educational, reminding employees of
best cybersecurity practices and ways to avoid scams.
Monitor and improve
When your cybersecurity policy is ready, you should
continue monitoring your company’s cybersecurity performance via audits. Review
and analyze the practices your employees are following, make necessary improvements, and continuously
update the tools your team is using.
Cybersecurity—Responsibility of All
Any business owner or team leader should encourage and
take control of their company’s cybersecurity, especially when cyber threats
continue to be the biggest risk across all industries.
Motivating and teaching the employees is crucial, as
everyone in the company is responsible for the well-being of its assets. By
hosting training sessions, implementing cybersecurity tools and reminders, and
monitoring the whole process, you can guard your business operations.
