It’s critical that you quickly identify the essential security awareness training topics for 2022 and how to quickly educate your workforce.
Managing staff cyber risk is critical to avoiding user-related data breaches and demonstrating regulatory compliance. A strong HRM program includes continual security awareness training that teaches end-users how to recognize and resist modern risks. In addition, it teaches best practices for staying secure.
However, starting these training classes raises certain challenges. One of these is what security awareness training subjects to include. Here are the top employee cyber security awareness training topics.
1. Phishing Awareness
This is still one of the most efficient cybercrime methods. Phishing assaults doubled in 2020 and continued to rise in 2021. Furthermore, remote work makes it tougher for organizations to protect their users.
However, why is phishing still a problem in 2022?
One key reason is the sophistication of these attacks. For example, a business email compromise attack combines prior research on a specific individual like a company’s senior executive. With this, they can develop an assault that looks very legitimate.
With more sophisticated assaults and the prevalent notion that phishing is easy to spot, it’s no surprise that many firms will face a phishing-related breach in 2022. Employees, therefore, require regular training on how to recognize contemporary phishing attacks and how to report them as soon as they suspect they’ve been targeted.
2. Awareness of Removeable Media Vulnerability
Removable media is a portable storage device that allows users to copy data from one device to another. Malware-infected USB drives might be left for users to discover when they plug them in.
Researchers dumped approximately 300 USB sticks on the UIUC campus. 98 percent were picked up! Also, 45 percent of these drives were not only picked up but the files found were opened.
Your staff must be aware of the risks of removable media and how to use these gadgets safely and responsibly. There are many reasons why a corporation may want to employ removable media. However, like any technology, there are risks.
Therefore, your staff must protect the data on these devices as well as the devices themselves. All data, personal or business, has value.
3. Security and Authentication
Password security is a fairly easy yet frequently forgotten feature of organizational security.
Malicious actors often guess common passwords to get access to your accounts. Once stolen, this data can be made public or sold on the dark web.
Using various passwords makes it difficult for hackers to access several accounts. Other measures, such as two-factor authentication, add extra layers of protection for the account.
4. Physical Safety Awareness
If you keep your passwords on sticky notes on your desk, it’s time to toss them.
Though many attacks are likely to be digital, protecting sensitive physical documents is critical to your company’s security system. Furthermore, unattended papers, computers, and passwords pose a security concern.
5. Secure Mobile Devices
The evolving IT ecosystem has enabled more flexible working settings. However, it also allows more sophisticated security attacks.
In 2022, user-device responsibility will be an increasingly important part of training. This is especially true for traveling or remote professionals. Malicious mobile apps have raised the likelihood of mobile phones harboring malware, posing a security issue.
Online courses for mobile device workers can help staff avoid threats without costly security measures. If a mobile device is lost or stolen, sensitive data should be encrypted, password-protected, or biometrically authenticated.
Employees who operate on their own devices must be trained in personal device safety. In addition, workers should have to sign a mobile security policy.
6. Remote Work Security Awareness
Remote working can benefit both employers and people. It can increase productivity and improve work-life balance.
However, this trend can lead to more security breaches. Therefore, personal gadgets for work should have default encryption and antivirus software.
7. Free WiFi Security Awareness
Some employees who work remotely, or work on the go may need extra training on how to use public Wi-Fi properly.
Fake public Wi-Fi networks, sometimes lurking in coffee shops, expose users to non-secure public servers. Therefore, educate your users on safe public Wi-Fi usage. In addition, let them know about typical scam warning flags. This will raise company knowledge and reduce risk.
8. Cloud Security
Cloud computing has changed the way businesses store and access data. Despite the fact that you store significant volumes of private data offsite, hacking is still a possibility.
Many large corporations are focusing on data security. However, picking the proper cloud service provider may make data storage much safer and more cost-effective.
9. Social Media Awareness
We all post pictures of our events, holidays, and jobs on social media. However, oversharing might expose important information that can allow a hostile actor to pose as a trusted source through social engineering.
Therefore, educating employees on how to maintain their social media privacy settings. In addition, teach them how to avoid the transmission of company information. This will lessen the chance of hackers gaining leverage.
10. Internet and Email
Simple or repetitive emails for several accounts may have exposed some employees to data breaches.
One survey indicated that 59% of users reuse passwords across accounts. If one account is open, a hacker can use the password to access all of the user’s accounts. This can include work and social media accounts.
Many websites provide free software contaminated with viruses. Downloading software from reliable sources is the safest method to secure your computer.
11. Awareness of Social Engineering
Social engineering is a method to earn employee trust by delivering lucrative incentives or impersonating others. To address these dangers, teach employees basic social engineering strategies.
Private information can be accidentally given to bad actors by appearing as a desirable client or by offering incentives. Increasing employee knowledge of impersonation threats is crucial to lowering social engineering risk.
12. Home Security
Malicious actors do not go away when you leave the office. Malware downloaded on personal devices can harm the company’s network if, for example, log-in credentials are compromised.
A recent analysis found that phishing campaigns targeting Dropbox had a 13.6 percent click-through rate. You can reduce this risk by educating employees and distributing encrypted material. Authenticating downloads also helps.
