Cyber security is not a one-man band, it’s a team effort

Cyber security is a collective responsibility and shared obligation of all members within an organisation. A lapse from one member can be costly for all involved.

There is no silver bullet when it comes to the exclusion of cyber attacks. Instead, organisational focus at all levels is essential to mitigating these attacks and strengthening cyber security. There needs to be buy-in from top-level executives right down to frontline workers to create a “human firewall” that can negate and thwart all forms of cyber attack.

Wavelink released a report showing practices that organisations can undertake to ensure that cyber security awareness is spread into their broader company culture and operations.

Some of the key strategies were:

1. Leadership commitment and vision: Crafting a clear program vision and communicating this often, along with the documentation of relevant measures, is paramount. Employees must be able to comprehend the objectives and significance of the initiatives to become engaged participants rather than passive recipients.
2. Customising training content: Training materials must reflect the unique cyber challenges faced by various departments. For example, finance teams should be trained in recognising and responding to financial cyber frauds, while IT teams require in-depth knowledge of technical aspects of cyber security. Regular updates to the curriculum in response to evolving certifications and industry standards ensure that the training remains relevant and effective.
3. Continuous learning and adaptation: Cyber security training should be part of a worker’s career development path, with regular updates and refreshers. This approach might include annual training updates, regular cyber security newsletters, and ongoing access to cyber security resources and learning tools. Encouraging a culture of self-education and development in cyber security matters is also vital for keeping pace with advancing threats.
4. Engaging training methods: Incorporating real-world scenarios and case studies into training makes the content more relatable and applicable. For example, analysing recent cyber attacks can help employees understand the implications of breaches and the importance of adhering to security protocols.
5. Diversity and inclusion in cyber security: Diversity in cyber security teams brings varied perspectives to threat analysis and problem solving. Initiatives should focus on recruiting from diverse talent pools and creating inclusive workplace cultures where different viewpoints are valued and leveraged. Highlighting the successes of diverse teams in detecting and mitigating cyber threats can reinforce the value of these initiatives.

Ilan Rubin, chief executive at Wavelink, stated: “Cyber security awareness education is critical in mitigating organisational risk, and it should be considered a change-management initiative rather than just a training program.”

Ultimately, all these steps and awareness are fruitless if leadership isn’t actively participating in crafting this vision throughout their company. Leaders must be polished in regard to how cyber security policies operate across various departments and the different aspects that must be integrated to cater towards their sector. The mindset shift starts from the top; leaders must be role models to neutralise this issue.

“This mindset shift is crucial in creating a successful initiative that strengthens the business’s security posture. As cyber threats evolve, so must defence strategies used by organisations,” Rubin said.

“Treating cyber awareness education as a comprehensive change-management initiative can turn potential vulnerabilities into robust defences by equipping workers with the knowledge and attitude necessary to combat cyber threats effectively.”