We have spoken many times on our website about the ISO 27001:2017 standard "Information technology – Security techniques – Information security management systems" and its importance in raising the level of cybersecurity in companies. Awareness of this topic begins with the training of human resources, so that they can better understand and anticipate potential cybersecurity risks.
Individuals and companies of all shapes and sizes, in fact, are struggling with an increase in phishing attempts, tactics that may seem unsophisticated but that, in reality, can lead to serious incidents. Education is the key to helping people and organizations better identify these threats and stay protected.
Cybersecurity awareness is the combination of knowledge of the main mechanisms used by cybercriminals and what must be done to protect a company's information assets. When a company's employees are aware of cybersecurity, it means that they understand what cyber threats are, the potential impact that a cyber attack would have on their business, and the steps needed to reduce risks and prevent crime from infiltrating their work.
To make the most of training on this topic, you should make sure to make the most of the characteristics of the people who will be trained. As human beings, we have an evolved sense of physical risk that has developed over thousands of years. Our bodies react when we sense danger, intensifying our senses and preparing us to flee or fight. If, however, we talk about cybersecurity, we have a decidedly much less developed sense of risk because it has not taken root over time thanks to the different experiences we have had.
It is therefore difficult to describe the impact of cybersecurity on daily work, but it would still be appropriate for training to keep the message as personal as possible, to involve those parts of the brain that are linked to the emotional triggers that sink into our psyche. By describing, for example, how learning a behavior can help not only the company but also protect the family of the person being trained and their friends, it becomes more evident why cybersecurity is so important and learning to discern when an email might serve for phishing and when it is good to avoid sharing information via email, internet, apps or social networks becomes immediately more interesting.
If possible, invest in a cybersecurity awareness team that includes people with different backgrounds, so that they can provide information on different approaches that will be successful with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and ages. The more you can connect with people, the more they will internalize your message and provide valuable feedback.
Make sure that cybersecurity training and awareness of the topic are intertwined with daily work and activity flows. Training requires investments in terms of time and resources and for this reason it is necessary to be able to find space for it during the working day. Try to make this training short and concise, so that people can find the time to do it during their working day. Every day. Cybersecurity training, in fact, is not something that is done once a year. Find a way to insert it into the daily life of your workforce and you will help employees protect not only your company, but also themselves and their loved ones.
Creating a culture of cybersecurity awareness in the workplace does not mean completely eliminating the risk of data theft or cybercrime for your company. Malware has grown, becoming increasingly sophisticated as each new strand was developed. With the increase in these new threats, companies must ensure that they implement the appropriate security measures, educate their employees, and eliminate any weak points that make them vulnerable to an attack. Human error can lead to serious business damage and must be avoided at all costs.
Once the training has been completed and ISO 27001 has been implemented, do you need a body to certify your information security management system? Rely on ACSQ. Call us without obligation on 02.58320936 or write to us at