People Protect The Business: The Human Element In Cybersecurity

Introduction

As we become more dependent on technology to run our businesses (and our daily lives), the risks associated with cybercrimes continue to rise. It's essential for businesses to recognize the importance of cybersecurity and take the necessary steps to protect themselves now to avoid significant problems in the future.

Let’s talk about the important role that people play as part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, and go over some best practices for securing your business.

• The Potential Risks and Consequences of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
• The Importance of People in a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy for Businesses
• Best Practices for Securing Businesses
• Conclusion
  
  

The Potential Risks and Consequences of Cyber Attacks on Businesses

The rise of remote work has introduced new vulnerabilities, as employees access company networks and resources from various locations and devices. This dispersed workforce increases the potential for human error and creates more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit.

Cyberattacks are not only becoming more frequent but also more sophisticated. According to a report by Accenture, organizations faced a 125% increase in targeted attacks between 2020 and 2021. Businesses of all sizes are at risk, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being a popular target. In fact, the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) reveals that 28% of data breaches involved SMEs.

Consequences of a cyberattack can be severe, including financial loss, reputational damage, and even the potential closure of a business. The average cost of a data breach in 2022 was $4.35 million, as reported by IBM Security, marking the highest average total cost in the 18-year history of their study. This financial burden can be particularly devastating for smaller businesses, which often lack the resources to recover from such setbacks. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack go out of business within six months.

Reputational damage can also have long-lasting effects, as customer trust is crucial for maintaining and growing a business. According to The 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index, 21% of consumers stopped using the company who suffered a data breach, of whom 42% requested they delete their information. This highlights the importance of a strong cybersecurity posture to not only protect your business but also retain the trust and loyalty of your customers.

The costs associated with cybercrime go beyond the immediate financial impact. They can also include legal fees, public relations expenses, and the cost of implementing new security measures. Additionally, the loss of customer trust can have long-lasting effects on a business. In some cases, businesses may face regulatory fines for failing to adequately protect sensitive customer data, causing even further financial strain.

Legal fees

When a cyberattack occurs, businesses may face legal challenges and lawsuits resulting from the exposure of sensitive customer or employee data. These legal fees can include the cost of hiring attorneys, settlements, and court expenses. In some cases, businesses may need to engage in lengthy litigation, which can be both time-consuming and costly.

Public relations expenses

Managing the fallout from a cyberattack often requires significant public relations efforts to restore the company's reputation. This can include hiring a PR firm, launching crisis communications campaigns, and engaging with media to address concerns and provide updates. These efforts aim to minimize damage to the brand and rebuild customer trust.

Cost of implementing new security measures

Following a cyberattack, businesses must quickly address security vulnerabilities and invest in new security measures to prevent future incidents. This can involve purchasing new hardware, software, or services, as well as hiring additional security personnel or consultants. The costs of these new measures can be substantial, particularly for smaller businesses with limited resources.

Loss of customer trust

One of the most significant impacts of a cyberattack is the potential loss of customer trust. When customers feel that their sensitive information is not secure, they may choose to take their business elsewhere. Rebuilding customer trust can take time and require ongoing efforts to demonstrate a commitment to security and transparency. According to Cisco’s 2022 Consumer Privacy Survey, 76% say they would not buy from a company who they do not trust with their data.

Regulatory fines

In many jurisdictions, businesses are subject to regulatory requirements regarding the protection of sensitive customer data. Failure to meet these requirements can result in substantial fines and penalties. In some cases, businesses may also face ongoing audits or monitoring to ensure compliance with these regulations, adding further costs and administrative burdens. For example, under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies can face fines of up to €20 million or 4% of their annual revenue, whichever is higher, for failing to adequately protect customer data.

The Importance of People in a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy for Businesses

A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is crucial in minimizing the risk of a cyberattack, and one of the most important factors in a strong cybersecurity strategy is the education and training of employees.

Why is this so important?

Employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats.

A strong cybersecurity strategy includes regular training and awareness programs for employees to ensure they understand the importance of their role in protecting the business. It also involves continuous assessment and improvement of security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats. Encouraging a culture of cybersecurity within the organization, where employees feel empowered to report suspicious activity and ask questions, is essential in creating a strong security posture.

A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy should involve collaboration with employees, third-party vendors, partners, and customers to ensure that all aspects of your business ecosystem are protected.

Collaboration with employees

A strong cybersecurity strategy involves the active participation of your employees. This includes educating them about potential threats, providing regular training on best practices, and creating a culture that values security. For example, encourage employees to report any suspicious activity they encounter and reward those who proactively contribute to enhancing the company's security.

Third-party vendors

The security of your third-party vendors directly impacts your own business security. It's essential to assess and monitor the security practices of your vendors regularly. For example, establish clear security requirements in contracts and ensure they follow industry-standard security frameworks like ISO 27001 or SOC 2 Type II.

Partners

Business partners often have access to sensitive data, so it's crucial to align security practices and maintain a strong security posture. Share security policies and expectations with partners and conduct periodic reviews of their security measures. For example, establish a mutual NDA and require partners to adhere to your security standards or undergo regular security audits.

Customers

Customer trust is paramount, and it's vital to ensure their data is protected. Implement strong encryption and access controls to protect customer information. For example, use HTTPS on your website to encrypt data transmission, and only allow authorized personnel access to customer data. Communicate your security measures to customers, so they feel confident in doing business with you.

Best Practices for Securing Businesses

To better protect your business from cyber threats, consider implementing the following best practices:

Employee Training and Education

Providing ongoing training for employees is crucial in reducing the risk of human error and ensuring that they understand the latest threats and best practices for protecting company data. This should include training on recognizing phishing attempts, creating strong passwords, and safely using company devices and networks.

Regular Security Audits

Conducting regular security audits can help identify potential vulnerabilities in your systems and processes. This proactive approach allows you to address any weaknesses before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. Audits should include both internal and external assessments, as well as penetration testing to simulate potential attacks.

Incident Response Planning

Having an incident response plan in place can help minimize the impact of a cyberattack on your business. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a security breach, including communication protocols, roles and responsibilities, and steps for containing and resolving the issue. Regularly reviewing and updating the incident response plan ensures that it remains effective in the face of changing threats.

Conclusion

In today's digital landscape, it's more important than ever for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity and recognize the critical role that people play in protecting the organization. By implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyberattacks. Remember, a secure digital environment not only protects your business but also fosters a future that is more resilient to cyber threats.

We help businesses implement the things in this list every day. We love to do it, and we’re great at it (if we do say so ourselves). If you have the time and know-how to take on implementing the things we talked about here, that’s amazing. If not, we’re here to help with any and all of it.

We want you to be able to focus on what’s most important to your business, that’s why we offer a FREE Comprehensive Business IT & Cybersecurity Assessment. Let us help you keep your business on track and productivity high by knowing exactly where your strategy is strong and where it's not.