Should you have a Cybersecurity Awareness Program?

The short answer is YES

Last October, we marked Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a perfect time to explain a little about Awareness Programs.

What is a Cybersecurity Awareness Program?

A cybersecurity awareness program is a set of initiatives that are designed to educate employees about cybersecurity and improve their knowledge of security best practices. A cybersecurity awareness program typically includes training on how to identify and avoid phishing scams, create strong passwords, and recognize and report potential security threats.

A cybersecurity awareness program aims to reduce the likelihood of successful attacks by making employees aware of the potential risks and teaching them how to protect themselves and the organization. By providing employees with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online, a cybersecurity awareness program can help prevent mistakes that could compromise the organization's security.

A cybersecurity awareness program can be delivered through various methods, including in-person training, online courses, and regular email reminders. Many companies also use posters, stickers, and other visual aids to reinforce key messages and remind employees of the importance of cybersecurity.

Overall, a cybersecurity awareness program is an essential component of any organization’s security strategy. By educating employees about cybersecurity and providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online, companies can reduce the likelihood of successful attacks and protect themselves from the potentially damaging effects of a breach.

Why do I need it?

Companies need a cybersecurity awareness program for several reasons, including:

To reduce the likelihood of successful attacks: One of the main reasons that companies need a cybersecurity awareness program is to reduce the possibility of successful attacks. By training employees on security best practices and awareness, companies can help prevent employees from making mistakes that could compromise the security of the organization.

To improve the speed and effectiveness of incident response: In the event of a security breach, a cybersecurity awareness program can help to improve the speed and effectiveness of incident response. By ensuring that employees know what to do in the event of an attack, companies can minimize the damage and get back to business as quickly as possible.

To comply with regulations and industry standards: Some rules and standards require companies to have a cybersecurity awareness program in place in many industries. For example, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires companies that handle credit card data to have a program to educate employees on security best practices.

To protect sensitive data: Finally, companies need a cybersecurity awareness program to protect sensitive data, such as customer information, financial data, and intellectual property. By ensuring that employees are aware of the importance of protecting this data and know how to do so, companies can help prevent data breaches and protect the integrity of their systems.

Overall, having a cybersecurity awareness program is essential for companies of all sizes and industries. By training employees on security best practices and awareness, companies can reduce the likelihood of successful attacks, improve incident response, comply with regulations and standards, and protect sensitive data.

Now that we know we need it, how do we go about it?

To start a cybersecurity awareness program, follow these steps:

Identify the goals and objectives of the program: The first step in starting a cybersecurity awareness program is to identify the goals and objectives of the program. This will help to ensure that the program is focused and effective. Some common goals of cybersecurity awareness programs include improving employee knowledge of security best practices, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks, and increasing the speed and effectiveness of incident response.

Conduct a risk assessment: Once the goals and objectives of the program have been identified, the next step is to conduct a risk assessment to identify the specific security threats and vulnerabilities that the program should address. This can be done through a combination of internal and external assessments, as well as interviews with key stakeholders.

Develop a plan: Based on the risk assessment results, the next step is to develop a plan for the cybersecurity awareness program. This should include details such as the target audience, the content of the program, the delivery methods, and the timeline for implementation.

Communicate the plan: Once it has been developed, it is essential to communicate it to key stakeholders, including employees, managers, and senior leadership. This will ensure that everyone knows the program and what to expect.

Implement the program: The next step is implementing the cybersecurity awareness program according to the developed plan. This will typically involve delivering training to employees and providing ongoing support and resources to help employees stay up-to-date on security best practices.

Evaluate and adjust the program: Finally, it is important to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the cybersecurity awareness program and make adjustments as needed. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, and other methods and can help ensure that the program continues to meet the goals and objectives identified at the outset.

Overall, starting a cybersecurity awareness program requires careful planning and coordination. Still, it can be an effective way to improve an organization's security and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks. Following the steps outlined above, companies can develop and implement a program that meets their needs and goals.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

https://www.atlantic.net/hipaa-compliant-hosting/top-10-best-cybersecurity-training-services/

https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month-resources

https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/topic/10-best-security-awareness-training-vendors/