7 Best Practices for Cybersecurity Training in Companies

For the company’s team members, awareness of cybersecurity is vital. Because they are also its biggest weakness— especially for individuals who aren’t extremely tech-savvy.

Did you know that? Based on Verizon’s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 82% of data breaches are caused by “human element” security flaws.

Training non-tech employees in cybersecurity fundamentals is important. Especially in the remote work era, because they are more vulnerable to phishing attacks and hackers utilize stolen employee credentials for the wrong purpose.

Employees should be educated on how to prevent cybersecurity breaches on their own. Aware of the best practices to follow as recommended by cybersecurity specialist when utilizing email and various web services.

However, teaching non-experts about this complex topic can be difficult. To make cybersecurity training more engaging and remembered, strong tactics are required.

In this blog, delve into effective tips to make cybersecurity training more engaging to keep employees hooked, no matter their starting level of tech expertise.

7 Cybersecurity Training Best Practices for Employees

To reduce the network intrusion risk, you must strengthen your first line of defense against external threats, which includes training your personnel on cybersecurity awareness. Here are 7 approaches you can apply to educate your employees about cybersecurity and the cybersecurity skills they need to have.

1. Think Beyond Pre-recorded Content

Providing pre-recorded information or sharing a YouTube video that includes the company’s cybersecurity policies is a bad idea. Instead, organize live training sessions for employees who are switching to working remotely.

2. Offer Training During Daily Activities

One method for spreading cybersecurity awareness among the team members is to incorporate “training” into their regular activities. Modern technology can easily make this happen. For example, show a warning message that pops up when the user taps on a malicious URL link.

3. Go For Gamification

Incorporate gamification aspects to make training more enjoyable and competitive. You may tap into employees’ inherent motivation and encourage active involvement by transforming training into a game-like experience.

4. Provide Context

Many employees will take training more seriously if they are given the complete context of why it is necessary.

Understanding that a breach might destroy or harm the entire business—including their jobs—is a key motivating factor that can help team members perceive training as a “chore.”

5. Make Training Interactive and Accessible

Scenario-based exercises, gamification, multimedia content, simulated assaults, role-specific training, and so on can be used to captivate non-tech personnel in cybersecurity career training.

6. Conduct a ‘Cybersecurity Boot Camp’

Consider creating your cybersecurity presentation as a “cybersecurity boot camp.” Replace intimidating tech jargon with enticing challenges to turn cybersecurity education into a terrific contest. Non-technical teams can collect “cyber fit points.”

To reinforce learning, use educational psychology techniques like spaced repetition to ensure skills are thoroughly and frequently renewed.

7. Show Potential Risks And Consequences

Make employees involve in cybersecurity training to show them the potential risks and consequences that can be caused due to cyber threats.

In all-hands meetings, evaluate security scores and acknowledge “security culture champions”. Keep an eye on your industry peers; if incidents occur, use them to develop a relevant instructional moment.

Other Ways To Guide Non-Tech Employees About Cybersecurity

Due to technological advancement, employees develop a hope that their companies will support them with continuous highly informative top cybersecurity certification programs. Updating employees about the latest industry trends, processes, and technologies help them grow in their career.

Spreading awareness about cybersecurity through training help employees understand how they play a crucial role in safeguarding your company.

Encourage your non-tech employees to try the cybersecurity course provided by the following education-related organizations:

1. United States Cybersecurity Institute (USCSI®)

A renowned member of ANSI and the Institute of Credentialing Excellence, the United States Cybersecurity Institute is the prestigious provider of top-rated cybersecurity certification programs to elevate your career.

USCSI®’s all certification programs content is prepared by over 20 subject matter experts who are leaders in this domain. Its cybersecurity certifications are tailored for tech experts, next-gen professionals, organizations, academics, institutions, and governments.

Its certification programs include:

• Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™)
• Certified Cybersecurity Consultant (CCC™)
• Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS®)

These courses are essential and will provide you with a slight advantage in your professional development and job. Because they are globally recognized and are accepted by leading universities as well as organizations worldwide.

2. Harvard Extension School

Learn about the technology requirements, risks, and weaknesses in cybersecurity through graduate programs delivered by instructors at Harvard Extension School.

Through its graduate programs, you will gain knowledge of the tools and protocols required to manage security technology and go ahead in your cybersecurity career.

3. eCornell University

eCornell’s course certificate program will help gain a practical understanding of cybersecurity. You will learn about the principles required to comprehend the design as well as the analysis of secure systems.

Upon program completion, you will be able to identify the suitable enforcement technique for a provided security policy.

4. Stanford University

The demand for cybersecurity professionals grows daily as more threats and breaches are identified.

Stanford’s Advanced Cybersecurity program is a self-paced course that will help you thrive in this fastest-growing industry because it is taught by world-class instructors and faculty who hold great expertise.

Other cybersecurity course providers can help develop cybersecurity skills. Make sure you pick the right one.

Wrapping Up

Because cyberattacks have now become more common, organizations must take precautions to protect themselves. Training your employees on cybersecurity best practices is one of the most critical ways to keep your company safe and secure. This will eventually result in a safer environment for all.