Companies all over the globe are facing an innovative dark economy, whose business models are based on threatening information security and therefore the livelihood of others.
Because the attackers’ tactics are constantly changing and organisations can’t combat these with purely technical methods alone, more and more business frameworks are demanding that security awareness trainings be implemented on a broad scale. Before we explain what this kind of training looks like, we will cast an eye over the current threat situation.
An overview of the current cyberthreat situation.
The cyberthreat situation has worsened radically in past years. For some time, cybercrime trends have been haunting cyberspace. Whether its spear phishing, supply chain attacks, multiple extortion, deepfakes or abuse of new, hybrid working models—all of these threats have one thing in common. 82 per cent of them begin with human interaction.
The increase in hybrid working models has in turn raised the vulnerability of workers tremendously. Cyberattacks have become more successful because work-related and structural changes intimidate employees and further busy security staff. The good news is that companies can do something against the attackers—With Security Awareness Training.
What is Security Awareness Training?
Security Awareness Training focuses on the individual and creates an awareness for potential digital dangers and hence prevents successful digital attacks. It focuses on bolstering cautious behaviour in employees which in turn strengthens organisations’ security. The training gives employees an overview of digital threats and teaches them to recognise cyberthreats, anticipate them and fend them off. Some of the elements that are used in the training to create awareness are interactive e-learning modules and phishing simulations that imitate real threats.
An investment in Security Awareness Training is also an investment in long term security. The training is proven to change how employees handle dangers related to information security and makes sure that your employees become aware of their role in the deflection of cyberthreats. In addition to this, Cyber Security Awareness Training is an essential part of modern compliance requirements.
More than just meeting compliance standards.
The threat level has made information security a serious topic for many frameworks and give organisations guidelines and specifications to work with. The internationally recognised standard ISO/IEC-27001 regulates for example the framework conditions for information security management systems (ISMS) so that cyber risks are identified, analysed and fixed. Some of these fixes are Security Awareness Trainings. Many cyber insurances are making this type of training mandatory.
At the same time, in many sectors specific frameworks apply that make the use of Security Awareness Training obligatory, for example the Hospital Future Act (KHZG). This law, passed in 2021, secured financial support for the modernisation of clinics against a backdrop of COVID-19. Besides this support and the funding for nursing staff, the law also intends to improve the digital infrastructure of hospitals to enable digital medication management and fixes for IT security. Similar to many digital cyber insurances, the KHZG classified the Security Awareness Training as justification for funding.
By no means, however, should Security Awareness Training just be used to tick a box in a list of compliance requirements—information security is a crucial topic and should be treated as such.
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Companies all over the globe are facing an innovative dark economy, whose business models are based on threatening information security and therefore the livelihood of others.
Because the attackers’ tactics are constantly changing and organisations can’t combat these with purely technical methods alone, more and more business frameworks are demanding that security awareness trainings be implemented on a broad scale. Before we explain what this kind of training looks like, we will cast an eye over the current threat situation.
An overview of the current cyberthreat situation.
The cyberthreat situation has worsened radically in past years. For some time, cybercrime trends have been haunting cyberspace. Whether its spear phishing, supply chain attacks, multiple extortion, deepfakes or abuse of new, hybrid working models—all of these threats have one thing in common. 82 per cent of them begin with human interaction.
The increase in hybrid working models has in turn raised the vulnerability of workers tremendously. Cyberattacks have become more successful because work-related and structural changes intimidate employees and further busy security staff. The good news is that companies can do something against the attackers—With Security Awareness Training.
What is Security Awareness Training?
Security Awareness Training focuses on the individual and creates an awareness for potential digital dangers and hence prevents successful digital attacks. It focuses on bolstering cautious behaviour in employees which in turn strengthens organisations’ security. The training gives employees an overview of digital threats and teaches them to recognise cyberthreats, anticipate them and fend them off. Some of the elements that are used in the training to create awareness are interactive e-learning modules and phishing simulations that imitate real threats.
An investment in Security Awareness Training is also an investment in long term security. The training is proven to change how employees handle dangers related to information security and makes sure that your employees become aware of their role in the deflection of cyberthreats. In addition to this, Cyber Security Awareness Training is an essential part of modern compliance requirements.
More than just meeting compliance standards.
The threat level has made information security a serious topic for many frameworks and give organisations guidelines and specifications to work with. The internationally recognised standard ISO/IEC-27001 regulates for example the framework conditions for information security management systems (ISMS) so that cyber risks are identified, analysed and fixed. Some of these fixes are Security Awareness Trainings. Many cyber insurances are making this type of training mandatory.
At the same time, in many sectors specific frameworks apply that make the use of Security Awareness Training obligatory, for example the Hospital Future Act (KHZG). This law, passed in 2021, secured financial support for the modernisation of clinics against a backdrop of COVID-19. Besides this support and the funding for nursing staff, the law also intends to improve the digital infrastructure of hospitals to enable digital medication management and fixes for IT security. Similar to many digital cyber insurances, the KHZG classified the Security Awareness Training as justification for funding.
By no means, however, should Security Awareness Training just be used to tick a box in a list of compliance requirements—information security is a crucial topic and should be treated as such.
What makes Security Awareness Training so effective.
Modern Security Awareness Training focusses on human error and serves to strengthen the security culture of organisations. It is only successful when it looks at information security holistically and sets store in the psychology of learning.
For optimal success, for example, it would make sense for the training to include elements of gamification. If you build in elements of play into contexts that usually don’t include these, it awakens a play instinct and the training will be more fun.
Another factor that makes Security Awareness Training so successful is personalised learning. If users are able to create content on their own learning level and use these in training, they are more motivated and engaged. Research has found a clear correlation between personalisation and the willingness to learn. Ideally, modern security awareness solutions should be easy to implement and manage to save IT security valuable time.
New challenges require innovative solutions.
With current threat levels soaring, the demand for innovative training methods that are on par with new requirements and frameworks is rising. Cybersecurity is no longer a niche topic. This is why Security Awareness Training should energise employees and make these would-be tedious topics surrounding information security more tangible. This way they gain new insights, help to fulfil compliance standards and above all minimise cyber risks in the long term.
Our partner SoSafe offers an Awareness Platform which you can use to easily enhance your employees’ security awareness. The platform sets store in interactive cybersecurity E-learning and professionally created phishing simulations that help you improve the security culture of your organisation. Furthermore, the Awareness Platform can be personalised and is customised regularly to suit the current threat culture. Using a dashboard, you as security representatives can easily monitor how your employees are doing in the training. Find out more about Cyber Security Awareness Training and how you can use it to deflect cyberattacks.
Bechtle announces intent to double IT security team.
Bechtle AG is ramping up for a considerable expansion of its strategic IT security portfolio, aiming to double its current team through a combination of new hires and an in-house qualification programme. Boasting some 300 certified IT security experts, Bechtle today ranks among Germany’s top three IT service providers in this segment.
What makes Security Awareness Training so effective.
Modern Security Awareness Training focusses on human error and serves to strengthen the security culture of organisations. It is only successful when it looks at information security holistically and sets store in the psychology of learning.
For optimal success, for example, it would make sense for the training to include elements of gamification. If you build in elements of play into contexts that usually don’t include these, it awakens a play instinct and the training will be more fun.
Another factor that makes Security Awareness Training so successful is personalised learning. If users are able to create content on their own learning level and use these in training, they are more motivated and engaged. Research has found a clear correlation between personalisation and the willingness to learn. Ideally, modern security awareness solutions should be easy to implement and manage to save IT security valuable time.
New challenges require innovative solutions.
With current threat levels soaring, the demand for innovative training methods that are on par with new requirements and frameworks is rising. Cybersecurity is no longer a niche topic. This is why Security Awareness Training should energise employees and make these would-be tedious topics surrounding information security more tangible. This way they gain new insights, help to fulfil compliance standards and above all minimise cyber risks in the long term.
Our partner SoSafe offers an Awareness Platform which you can use to easily enhance your employees’ security awareness. The platform sets store in interactive cybersecurity E-learning and professionally created phishing simulations that help you improve the security culture of your organisation. Furthermore, the Awareness Platform can be personalised and is customised regularly to suit the current threat culture. Using a dashboard, you as security representatives can easily monitor how your employees are doing in the training. Find out more about Cyber Security Awareness Training and how you can use it to deflect cyberattacks.
