Securing the First Line of Defense

Cybersecurity awareness for employees is nonnegotiable. It helps protect both individuals and organizations by mitigating cyberthreats and protecting sensitive information, which strengthens the overall security posture of an organization. Employees serve as the first line of defense against cyberthreats. However, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, targeting system vulnerabilities and exploiting human errors. With proper cybersecurity awareness, employees can become more vigilant in recognizing common cyberthreats, learning how to report potential security incidents promptly and adopting better security behaviors, reducing their risk of falling victim to attacks. In addition, by being aware of cybersecurity best practices, employees can effectively protect valuable data and help prevent unauthorized access, data breaches or leaks.

Cybersecurity awareness fosters a culture of security within an organization. When employees prioritize and value cybersecurity, they actively contribute to a safe and secure working environment. This culture extends beyond the workplace, as employees apply the same principles to protect their personal online presence, enhancing their overall digital wellbeing.

However, organizations that lack or neglect measures to gauge the cyberawareness of their employees may be subject to increased internal or external threats and risk. This can result in high costs, reputational or legal impacts or complete business loss. By understanding the importance of cybersecurity and adopting safe online practices, employees can actively contribute to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining a secure work environment.

Addressing Threats and Risk With Cybersecurity Awareness

When it comes to cybersecurity practices implemented via awareness programs, there are several key risk factors and threats (figure 1) that organizations can focus on to empower employees and strengthen their overall security posture:

• Increased phishing and social engineering attacks—Phishing and social engineering attacks thrive on exploited human vulnerabilities. For example, in 2022, 83 percent of UK enterprises suffering a cyberattack reported the attack as a phishing attack.¹ In addition, 3.4 billion spam emails are sent daily.² Without proper awareness, employees may unknowingly click on malicious links, open infected email attachments or share sensitive information with attackers. Employees should be trained to recognize the signs of phishing emails, which include suspicious links, unfamiliar senders and requests for personal or financial information. They should learn to verify the legitimacy of emails before clicking on any links or providing any sensitive information.
  
  Employees should also be educated about different types of social engineering tactics such as impersonation, pretexting³ or baiting and be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar individuals or receiving unsolicited requests for information.
• Data breaches and loss of confidential information—Employees unaware of cybersecurity best practices may inadvertently mishandle or expose confidential information. A lack of awareness increases the likelihood of accidental data breaches, potentially resulting in legal and regulatory consequences, loss of customer trust, reputational damage or high costs. For example, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, US$4 million was the average cost of a data breach attack.⁴ Employees should be made aware of the risk and be trained in the proper handling and protection of sensitive data, including data classification, securely transmitting data, using encryption when necessary and following data retention policies.
• Malware infections and ransomware attacks—Employees who are not well-versed in cybersecurity may unknowingly download and execute malicious files or visit compromised websites, leading to malware infections. These infections can spread across networks, encrypt critical data and enable ransomware attacks. The consequences can range from significant financial costs associated with data recovery and system remediation to disruption of operations and loss of productivity. Employees should be educated about the importance of keeping their devices and networks secure, including installing regular software updates, using reputable antivirus and firewall software, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions and being cautious while using personal devices for work-related activities.
• Weak password practices and credential theft—Inadequate awareness of password security can result in employees choosing weak or reused passwords, making it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to accounts and systems. Credential theft through techniques such as keylogging or brute-force attacks becomes more likely. Employees should be educated about the importance of strong passwords and the risk associated with weak or reused passwords. They should be encouraged to create complex passwords, use password managers, enable MFA whenever possible and never share their password or store it in a clear text format. In addition, with the increasing trend of remote work, employees should be trained in secure remote work practices. This includes using virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure connections, securing home Wi-Fi networks and being mindful of physical security, such as by locking devices and securing confidential documents.
• Insider threats and human error—Lack of cybersecurity awareness increases the risk of insider threats, wherein employees may intentionally or unintentionally engage in malicious activities or compromise security measures. In addition, human error, such as accidental data deletions, misconfigurations or improper handling of sensitive information, becomes more prevalent without a strong cybersecurity culture.
• Regulatory and compliance issues—Organizations across various industries are subject to regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks that mandate cybersecurity practices and data protection. Failing to meet these standards due to a lack of awareness can lead to legal penalties, fines or damage to an organization’s reputation. Many organizations assume their employees are compliant with policies, while they neglect their own role in publishing, communicating and educating employees in the same. Compliance cannot be built on assumptions, rather a formal and continuous process to enforce policies, educate employees and measure knowledge is necessary.
• Business disruption and downtime—Successful cyberattacks can disrupt business operations, leading to downtime, loss of productivity and financial losses. This can have a significant impact on customer satisfaction, revenue generation and overall business continuity. Employees should promptly report any potential security incidents or suspicious activities they encounter. They should be educated on the appropriate channels and procedures for reporting incidents, which helps organizations respond quickly and effectively to mitigate any potential threats.
• Damage to organizational reputation—A cybersecurity incident resulting from a lack of awareness can severely damage an organization’s reputation. News of a data breach or security incident can erode customer trust and confidence, resulting in customer churn, negative publicity and long-term brand damage.

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field and new threats emerge constantly. To keep employees informed and aware, regular training sessions and updates are provided to ensure that staff stays up to date with the latest cybersecurity practices and emerging threats.

Many organizations assume their employees are compliant with policies, while they neglect their own role in publishing, communicating and educating employees in the same. Compliance cannot be built on assumptions, rather a formal and continuous process to enforce policies, educate employees and measure knowledge is necessary.

Awareness Enablers

In cybersecurity awareness programs, various tools and technologies can be employed to enhance the effectiveness of training and promote a secure mindset among employees.

Many organizations assume their employees are compliant with policies, while they neglect their own role in publishing, communicating and educating employees in the same. Compliance cannot be built on assumptions, rather a formal and continuous process to enforce policies, educate employees and measure knowledge is necessary.

Tools commonly used for cybersecurity awareness initiatives include:

• Learning management systems (LMS)—LMS platforms provide a centralized hub for organizing, delivering and tracking cybersecurity training programs. They allow organizations to create interactive courses, quizzes and assessments that employees can access at their convenience. LMS platforms also enable tracking of employee progress, completion rates and performance metrics.
• Simulated phishing platforms—Simulated phishing platforms simulate real-world phishing attacks to assess employees’ susceptibility and provide training on identifying and reporting phishing attempts. These tools send mock phishing emails to employees and track who clicks on suspicious links or provides sensitive information. This helps identify areas for improvement and provides targeted training to strengthen defenses against phishing attacks.
• Security awareness training software—Security awareness training software offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to educate employees about cybersecurity best practices. These tools typically include interactive modules, videos, quizzes and gamified learning experiences to engage employees and reinforce key concepts. They may also provide access to resources such as policy documents, incident reporting mechanisms or security-related news updates.
• Security awareness posters and infographics—Visual aids such as posters and infographics can be used to convey key cybersecurity messages in a concise and visually appealing manner. These materials can be displayed in common areas or shared digitally to raise awareness by reminding employees of important security practices.
• Phishing email templates—Organizations can create a library of phishing email templates to conduct internal phishing simulations. These templates mimic real phishing emails and are used to test employee response and awareness levels. By analyzing the outcomes, organizations can identify areas where additional training is needed.
• Gamification platforms—Gamification platforms leverage game-like elements such as leaderboards, badges and rewards to engage employees in cybersecurity awareness activities. These platforms transform cybersecurity training into interactive and enjoyable experiences, fostering a competitive spirit among employees and motivating them to actively participate and retain knowledge.
• Security awareness campaigns—Organizations can develop customized security awareness campaigns to promote cybersecurity best practices. These campaigns may include newsletters, blog articles, webinars and workshops to deliver important security messages and updates. They can also incorporate engaging activities, such as contests or quizzes, to encourage employee participation.
• Incident reporting and response tools—Providing employees with a user-friendly and confidential mechanism to report potential security incidents is crucial. Organizations can implement incident reporting tools that allow employees to easily report suspicious activities, phishing attempts or any other security concerns. These tools streamline incident response processes and help organizations take prompt action to mitigate risk.

Although tools play a crucial role in cybersecurity awareness, they should be used in conjunction with comprehensive training programs, regular updates and a supportive organizational culture that emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity. It is the combination of these elements that enables organizations to create a robust cybersecurity awareness program.

How Organizations Can Build a Robust Cybersecurity Awareness Framework

Building a cybersecurity awareness framework is crucial to support organizations in raising awareness among their employees on how to protect their data, network and systems from malicious attacks, risk and threats. Building this kind of framework involves establishing a structured approach to educate and empower employees about cybersecurity best practices. There are four key steps to consider when developing such a framework (figure 2).

Prepare

In the preparation phase, organizations should:

1. Identify objectives—Determine the specific goals and objectives of the cybersecurity awareness program to guide the development of the framework and measure its effectiveness. This could include reducing the number of successful phishing attacks, increasing incident reporting or improving overall security posture.
2. Conduct a risk assessment—Assess the organization’s cybersecurity risk factors and vulnerabilities by identifying potential threats, attack vectors and areas where employees may be susceptible to cyberattacks. This assessment helps prioritize training topics and allocate resources effectively.
3. Develop training materials—Create comprehensive and engaging training materials that address essential cybersecurity topics. This can include interactive modules, videos, infographics, quizzes and real-world examples. Ensure that the content is easy to understand, accessible and tailored to the organization’s specific needs and industry requirements.
4. Define training frequency and delivery methods—Determine how often training sessions should be conducted and what the best delivery methods are for the organization. This can include in-person sessions, online training modules, workshops, newsletters or a combination of approaches. Consider the preferences and availability of employees and the organization’s resources and logistical considerations.
5. Establish baseline assessments—Conduct initial assessments or simulations to establish a baseline of employees’ cybersecurity knowledge and awareness. This can involve simulated phishing attacks, quizzes or surveys to gauge the current level of awareness and identify areas for improvement.

Deliver

In the delivery phase, organizations should:

1. Provide ongoing training—Implement regular and ongoing cybersecurity training programs. These should be tailored to the evolving threat landscape and address emerging risk. Reinforce key concepts, provide updates on new threats and techniques and emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining a secure environment.
2. Encourage employee engagement—Foster employee engagement and participation in cybersecurity awareness initiatives. Encourage employees to ask questions, share their experiences and provide feedback. Implement gamification elements to make training more interactive and enjoyable.
3. Establish reporting and incident response procedures—Clearly communicate the process for reporting potential security incidents or concerns. Ensure that employees know how and where to report suspicious activities or phishing attempts. Implement a well-defined incident response plan to handle reported incidents effectively and promptly.

Measure

Organizations should continuously monitor and measure the effectiveness of their cybersecurity awareness program. This can include tracking metrics such as click rates on simulated phishing emails, incident reporting rates and employee feedback. Organizations can use this data to identify areas that require improvement and adjust training programs accordingly.

Maintain

Sustaining and maintaining the process will strengthen the baseline. In the maintenance phase organizations should:

• Foster a culture of security—Promote a culture of cybersecurity throughout the organization. Emphasize the shared responsibility of all employees in maintaining a secure environment. Encourage open communication, create awareness campaigns and recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate exemplary cybersecurity practices.
• Stay up to date—Regularly review and update the cybersecurity awareness framework to align with the evolving threat landscape and industry best practices. Stay informed about new cybersecurity trends, regulations and technologies to ensure that the training program remains relevant and effective.

Conclusion

Building an effective cybersecurity awareness framework requires continuous effort and commitment. It should be integrated into the organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy and supported by leadership at all levels. Today, attackers are not only targeting enterprises, but they are also targeting personal data. It is no longer sufficient to merely deploy an antivirus system or a firewall. To know how to defeat an enemy, one must understand how they think. As such, cybersecurity awareness practices are crucial to digest at the business and personal levels, otherwise, organizations will continue to suffer internal and external threats as well as privacy and compliance issues from the attacks they might be exposed to.

Endnotes

¹ Griffiths, C.; “The Latest 2023 Phishing Statistics (Updated August 2023),” AAG Information Technology, 2 September 2023,
http://aag-it.com/the-latest-phishing-statistics/
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ IBM, Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, USA, 2023, http://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach

HADI MANASRAH | CISM, COBIT 5, CCSK, CEH, CHFI, ISO 22301 LA, ISO 27001 LI, ITIL V3

Has more than 17 years of experience in information security, cybersecurity consultation, IT security and IT operations management. Manasrah has worked in different countries in the Middle East and Africa such as Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, leading cybersecurity and information security projects for banking, telecommunications, insurance, healthcare and government and nongovernment organizations. He supports implementation, assessment and auditing activities according to local and international regulations, standards and frameworks.