It’s not just technology that can be hacked. Humans are the biggest cybersecurity threat. It is estimated that 80% of cyber attacks originate from human error, intentional or unintentional. In order to keep your data secure, you need to make sure all your employees have a good understanding of how they can protect themselves and their company through training and education.

This article lists some common problems arising from human error in the cybersecurity field and how employers and employees can overcome them.

Lack of Training and Awareness

One of the most common problems facing employers is a lack of training and awareness among their employees regarding cybersecurity. For example, many people are still unaware of the importance of strong passwords and how to create them. As a result, they often use easily guessed passwords or the same password for multiple accounts.

Another common issue is phishing. Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers, by posing as a trusted source in an email or other message. Many people are still unaware of how to spot a phishing attempt, which puts them at risk of falling for one.

Employers need to make sure their employees are adequately trained to protect themselves from these threats. They should provide regular training sessions and ensure all new employees receive cybersecurity training as part of their onboarding process.

Lack of Trust

Another problem that can lead to human error is a lack of trust. For example, an employee might be less likely to report a security breach if they think their employer will punish them for it. Or, an employee might be more likely to click on a phishing email if they believe it’s from a trusted source.

Lack of trust can lead to internal disputes, such as when employees feel their employer has violated their privacy. It can also lead to legal problems, such as when an employee sues their employer for not protecting their personal information.

To overcome this problem, employers need to create a culture of trust within their organization. They should make sure employees feel comfortable reporting security breaches and other issues. Moreover, if such incidents occur, both the employer and the employee should seek workplace mediation services to reduce the consequences.

Unclear Policies

One of the biggest problems facing employers is unclear policies. For example, many employers have a policy that employees use strong passwords, but they don’t explain what a strong password is. As a result, employees might create passwords that are easy to guess or use the same password for multiple accounts.

Another common issue is with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. Many employers allow employees to use their own devices for work, but they don’t have a clear policy on how those devices should be protected. As a result, employees might not take the necessary precautions to protect their devices and data.

To overcome this problem, employers need to have clear and concise policies. They should explain what is expected of employees and provide examples of acceptable behavior. Moreover, these policies should be regularly reviewed and updated as needed.

Inadequate Policies and Procedures

Another common problem is inadequate policies and procedures. For example, many companies do not have a policy in place for what to do in the event of a data breach. As a result, employees might not know how to respond to a security incident appropriately.

This can lead to severe consequences, such as leaked or stolen data and legal problems. To avoid this problem, employers need to have adequate policies and procedures. They should have a clear plan for responding to a security incident, and all employees should be adequately trained on these procedures.

Failure to Follow Policies and Procedures

Even if a company has adequate policies and procedures, they will be of no use if employees fail to follow them. For example, many companies have a policy that requires employees to encrypt their data, but many employees still do not encrypt their data. This can lead to severe consequences if the data is compromised.

Employers need to ensure employees are adequately trained on company policies and procedures to overcome this problem. They should also have a system to enforce these policies, such as requiring employees to encrypt their data.

Human error is the biggest cybersecurity threat. This is because humans are fallible and make mistakes. One mistake can lead to a data breach, which can have severe consequences for both the company and the individual. To overcome this problem, employers need to have clear and concise policies, provide regular training, and create a culture of trust.