Data breaches in today’s business world are a growing problem, requiring cybersecurity experts to maintain constant vigilance. A key factor in ensuring tight digital security is proper employee training, as human error is one of the top threats to organizational security. As Max Gibbard, owner of TeamLogic IT Grand Rapids, writes: “In today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it’s essential to equip your workforce with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to potential security risks. Implementing data breach prevention strategies starts with fostering employee cybersecurity awareness.”
For those seeking to sharpen their cybersecurity expertise, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Specialization in Cybersecurity program offers the opportunity to master the tools to have a decisive positive impact on employee training at their company.
Understanding the Human Factor in Data Security
The human factor is often a corporation’s most important asset, but it is also a source of vulnerability. Cybercriminals usually target employees to trick or compel them to compromise an organization’s data security, and cybersecurity insiders report that 95% of cybersecurity issues can be traced to people’s mistakes.
Likewise, Gibbard points out that phishing attacks, weak passwords and human error are all key factors contributing to the risk of data breaches. “Employees who aren’t properly educated on data breach prevention pose a significant risk,” he writes. “Providing comprehensive employee education and training is crucial in minimizing the likelihood of accidental data breaches.”
Meanwhile, Metomic identifies several individual bad habits that commonly lead to data loss:
- Leaving computer screens open and unattended, enabling malicious actors to access company secrets
- Connecting to public Wi-Fi, which is often unsecured
- Not updating software, allowing vulnerabilities to persist and putting sensitive data at risk
The Need for Comprehensive Employee Training
According to Hornetsecurity, proactivity is essential to avoid data breaches. Creating a culture of security means training users about concerns and protocols like the risks of phishing and what makes a strong password. “Security is a shared responsibility that extends from IT teams and spreads throughout the organization,” Hornetsecurity notes. “IT teams enforce security policies and procedures, and once those are in place, continuous education of employees becomes crucial.”
Key Components of Effective Training Programs
An informed workforce is essential to preserving data security. Athreon recommends the following elements for an effective cybersecurity training program:
- Regular training sessions: These sessions should be held more than once, at regular intervals, and should cover many different topics, including phishing, strong password practices and secure internet policies.
- Interactive learning methods: Training sessions do not have to be dull, and adding an interactive component to the process can deepen learning. According to Athreon, “Engaging training methods such as gamification and simulations can help improve information retention and make learning about cybersecurity more appealing.”
- Continuous assessment and feedback: Regular testing of one’s knowledge is essential to retaining it. This practice ensures employees can understand and apply the information they receive during training sessions.
Develop Cybersecurity Leadership by Pursuing an Online MBA
A culture of security begins at the top, and employee training is only as good as the person training them. Fortunately, UNCW’s AACSB-accredited online MBA in Cybersecurity program offers courses such as Cybersecurity Strategy and Program Management, which provide students with an essential roadmap for designing, developing and managing an effective cybersecurity program.
With expertise in employee training and other managerial aspects of cybersecurity, business leaders will be well prepared to protect their companies by influencing important initiatives like employee training. As Gibbard observes: “Investing in employee training now can save your business from significant financial and reputational damage in the future.”
Learn more about the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s online MBA with a Specialization in Cybersecurity program.
