Do you lock your front door when you leave your house? Of course, you do! But what if, upon returning, you discover a window left open? It would be as though you left the door unlocked, wouldn't it?
Now, consider your business.
You’ve likely invested in cybersecurity measures—strong passwords, firewalls, and the latest software updates. But if your employees inadvertently leave the "windows" open, all of that security can be compromised.
This isn't about assigning blame; it’s about raising awareness. In reality, your employees may unknowingly represent your biggest security vulnerability.
Because of remote work, research shows that four out of five employees use their personal phones, tablets, or laptops for work purposes. It’s understandable—many prefer to use the devices they already own.
However, this brings a significant risk. Personal devices are likely not equipped with the same security protocols as your office systems. These devices may feature weak passwords, outdated software, or be connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks—making them prime targets for hackers.
Here’s the alarming part:
Two out of five employees admit to downloading customer data onto their personal devices. This sensitive information, once outside the protected environment of your business, is vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands.
But that's not all. Over 65% of employees admit to following cybersecurity guidelines "only sometimes" or "never." This includes practices like forwarding work emails to personal accounts, using personal phones as Wi-Fi hotspots, or neglecting data-handling protocols when using AI tools.
Password practices are another area of concern. Nearly half of employees reuse passwords across multiple work accounts. Even more troubling, over a third use the same passwords for both their work and personal accounts.
Imagine a hacker gaining access to an employee’s personal social media account and using the same password to infiltrate your business systems. It’s a potential disaster in the making.
So, what can you do?
Start by educating your team on the critical importance of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility and many employees don’t intentionally break the rules; they simply aren’t aware of the risks. Help them recognize that even small actions—like reusing passwords or working on unsecured public Wi-Fi—can have severe consequences.
To strengthen your security posture, implement clear, simple, and enforceable security guidelines. For instance, encourage employees to:
- Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for every work account
- Access work systems only on secure, company-approved devices
- Avoid forwarding work emails to personal accounts
Additionally, ensure employees undergo regular cybersecurity training, which we offer, to keep them updated on the latest threats. Recognize and reward those who actively demonstrate good cybersecurity practices, like flagging suspicious emails or finding innovative ways to protect sensitive data. Sharing these positive actions with the entire team will reinforce good habits.
We also assist with monitoring the personal devices your employees use for work. By ensuring these devices meet security standards, we help protect and fight external threats that could arise from unsecured personal devices.
If you need help keeping your team informed about the latest cybersecurity risks or managing their device security, don’t hesitate to reach out!