Cybersecurity is now a crucial consideration for every organization. Gone are the times when security and data breaches were something that happened to somebody else. Now, security awareness has become a huge part of the company culture.
However, this awareness of security and data issues is also because of the evolving ways that the cybercriminal operates. The old ‘hacker’ image is changed into a sophisticated trickster who knows and understands human behaviour. Social engineering is the emerging cyber tool of the century. Apply for cyber security course in Hyderabad to learn more
And then there is also the mass availability of malware. Malware-as-a-Service means that anybody can use malware and use it to make money. The cybercriminals are turning cybercrime into big business, and the cost is your business.
The result is that a lot of companies are staring down the barrel of cybercrime. But the fightback has started in earnest. We can play the hackers at their own game by knowing what they do and how they do it. Security awareness training has come into the ring letting us play the hackers at their own game, and win.
Topics Covered by Security Awareness Training
Being security aware isn’t just about knowing what a phishing email looks like –though this is a big part of it. Security awareness training, such as the PDPA training, covers every aspect of working life and it includes home life too – especially if your employees work remotely. The following points should be covered by any security awareness training course you engage:
What is Malware?
Teaching your employees about what they are up against is crucial. This is a basic starting point that will also be useful you talk about things like email phishing and the value of patching.
Phishing
Security awareness training should likewise include a dedicated topic on this most prevalent of security threats. The training should give your employees the know-how to identify the tell-tale signs of a phishing attempt.
Some security awareness training programs offer phishing simulation exercises. These will be tailored to your company. They send out ‘spoofs of spoofs’ phishing emails to your staff. The employee training can be tested by seeing how they interact with the spoof phishing attempts. Metrics and data are gathered from this session and you can then adjust your training to improve it.
Social Media and Online Safety
Social media is usually used both in the workplace and at home. It is like an open window to reach out to the world. Unfortunately, social media can also end up being an open window where sensitive data is thrown out.
PDPA training, like any other security awareness training program, should also cover the safe and appropriate use of social media by your employees. It should also merge with the phishing modules as this medium is now a channel for both.
Clean Desk Policy
A clean desk policy ensures that your staff knows and understands the importance of security hygiene. It covers basically everything that could result in a leak of information, such as failure to leave printouts on the printer, keeping passwords and OTP’s safe, and shutting down computers down when not being used, even for just a few minutes.
Personal Data and Compliance
Compliance is increasingly on the table with regards to security awareness training. Regulations like IAPP have strict requirements and hefty fines. Your employees need to understand the crucial part they play in maintaining stringent compliance with data protection laws.
From Security Awareness Training Topics to People Power
Security awareness training covers a lot of aspects of cybersecurity. It can be overwhelming for an individual to absorb. Making it a fun and engaging session not only means that your employees will stay the course, but that they will likely learn a lot more from the lessons. Learn more about it at cyber security course in Bangalore