How Often Should You Train your Staff on Cybersecurity?

With the recent rise in cyberattacks all over the world, cybersecurity should be the top priority of businesses of all sizes. Cyber criminals aren’t picky, they want to get rich at your expense and you should ensure that your first line of defence, your team, is regularly trained on cyber security.

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In our previous blog we discussed that no matter the nature and size of your business, your organisation may be the next target of cyberattacks. Hackers aren’t particularly selective when it comes to choosing their next victim. Their aim is to gain access, do damage, stole or compromise data in the hope of financial gain.

As you read this blog there are thousands of people trying to steal your money, data or identity. We are here to help you avoid being a cyber victim!

What is Cybersecurity and why does it Matter?

In 2023, cybercrime cost the UK over £30.5 billion, a significant financial impact on organisations not to mention reputational damage.

Cybercrime entails a wide range of activities that are carried out using digital devices. These crimes include the use of technology to commit fraud, identity theft, data breaches, plant computer viruses and scams.

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting networks, devices and data in your organisation from unauthorised access. 

Cybersecurity Measures to Protect your Business

  • Employee Training
  • Strong Password Policies
  • Regular Software Updates
  • Regular Data Backups
  • Firewalls and Antivirus Software
  • Network Monitoring
  • Limit Access to Sensitive Data
  • Incident Response Plan

Let’s look at employee training in more detail!

Why is Cybersecurity Training Essential?

Ongoing and frequent cybersecurity threats mean the need for frequent training.

According to a 2024 survey, 65% of respondents among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in the UK agreed that human error was their organisation’s biggest cyber vulnerability. 

Based on other statistics, human error account for 95% of cybersecurity breaches, whether it is due to opening links in malicious emails or using weak passwords. Your employees are often the first line of defence to combat cyberattacks.

As cybercriminals come up with new ways of trying to access your network, your team needs to be aware of the latest tactics. Additionally, many industries such as healthcare and finance have strict regulatory guidelines that make regular training imperative.

Finally, successful cyberattacks can lead to reputational damage of your business and potentially the loss of customers. If you keep up with cybersecurity training, you can be sure that you have taken a step towards protecting your business and customers.  

Now that we understand why cybersecurity training is essential let’s talk about how often you should conduct them. 

How often Should you train your staff on Cybersecurity?

A well-informed, vigilant team can be more efficient in combatting cyber threats than you think. So, we recommend the following:

  1. Conduct an annual comprehensive training to cover, malicious emails like phishing, malware attacks, ransomware and other social engineering attacks. This should also include best practices for password management, safe browsing and email security along with the company’s data protection guidelines and reporting protocols.
 
  1. Quarterly updates are necessary to keep up to date with the continuously evolving landscape of cyber threats. During this training session, your employees can learn about the latest scams and vulnerabilities as well as updated company policies. While these don’t need to be extensive, they are also a great opportunity to highlight any recent incidents.
 
  1. One of the most effective ways to ensure that your employees recognise phishing emails is to run bi-monthly simulations. This means that your team will receive emails mimicking real-world phishing attacks using social engineering tactics, such as impersonating someone known to the recipient or creating a sense of urgency. You will be able to see how your employees react, whether they fall victim and click on a malicious link, download an attachment or enter sensitive information. Then, you will be able to use the feedback to demonstrate vulnerabilities and further educate your team.
  1. When a particularly malicious threat emerges, it is best to warn your employees immediately. By delivering crucial information on the nature of the threat as it surfaces, you can effectively mitigate the risks.
 
  1. Not all employees face the same level of risk or use the same tools. For instance, your IT department needs more advanced cybersecurity training than your marketing team. Customise training for departments that manage sensitive data like HR, finance or IT and deliver training twice a year.
 

     6. New employees should receive cybersecurity training as part of their on-boarding process. It is crucial that new hires are familiar with company policies and practices with regards to data protection and cybersecurity.

You may think that such frequent training will seem dull, and your team won’t be paying attention because they will find it repetitive. It might be a good idea to gamify these training sessions to make them more engaging.  

So, there you have it, your continuous efforts to combat cyber threats will most definitely pay off.

If you want to book cybersecurity training for your team, click the button below! Syn-Star offers 50% off your first 3 months of cybersecurity training – sign up now!

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Agnes Syn-Star Content writer

Agnes Molnar

Agnes is Syn-Star’s expert content writer, she has  Master’s degree in English Literature that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking of everything she does.

Qualifications: Masters in English Literature

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