9 useful New Year's resolutions to make cybersecurity awareness top of mind

In 2023, sophisticated cybersecurity events hit 23andme, Mailchimp, the UK Electoral Commission, the MGM Grand, and even Microsoft. AI is increasingly a component of these crimes.?

What’s ahead this year? Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies will be more prominent in cyberattacks as Google phases out the use of cookies and 2FA becomes mandatory on more sites.

The good news is that employees are becoming more aware of the stakes involved and ways to keep themselves safer online on the job and at home. It’s a terrific time for your employee awareness team to take a higher, positive profile. Here are nine New Year’s resolutions to help:

1: Make Cybersecurity Awareness Engaging and Relatable (Yes, cybersecurity is serious, but you can still use humor and fun.)

• Use gamification and interactive activities like self-scoring quizzes to make cybersecurity training fun and engaging.
• Create relatable scenarios and case studies that resonate with employees' daily experiences.
• Tell first-person stories to capture attention and make cybersecurity content more memorable.

2: Create a Culture of Cybersecurity Preparedness (Be positive and actionable; the sky is NOT always falling.)

• Foster a culture of openness and transparency about cybersecurity risks and threats.
• Encourage open communication and reporting of suspicious activities or potential breaches.
• Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate proactive cybersecurity practices.

3: Deliver Terrific Content that Employees Relate to and Can Share with Their Family Members (Yes, you want employees to share your content with their family.)

• Develop cybersecurity content tailored to employees' and their families' interests and concerns.
• Share timely and relevant cybersecurity tips and advice through various communication channels.
• Encourage employees to share cybersecurity awareness content with their friends and family to spread the word.

4: Integrate Cybersecurity Awareness into Everyday Activities (In-person presentations are very effective.)

• Incorporate cybersecurity awareness into regular meetings, training sessions, and company events.
• Highlight cybersecurity best practices in company policies, procedures, and onboarding materials.
• Make cybersecurity awareness a continuous process that is integrated into daily work routines.

5: Leverage Technology to Enhance Cybersecurity Education (Leading the way: integration of your content into Workday, Slack, Yammer, and others.)

• Utilize mobile-formatted delivery, online platforms, and virtual reality experiences to deliver engaging cybersecurity training.
• Implement phishing simulation exercises and security awareness games to test and reinforce employee knowledge.
• Utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize and adapt cybersecurity education.

6: Foster a Collaborative Approach to Cybersecurity (Threats to underperformers DO NOT work.)

• Encourage cross-functional collaboration between cybersecurity teams, IT departments, and business units.
• Promote open communication and knowledge sharing to address cybersecurity challenges more effectively.
• Establish a culture of accountability and ownership for cybersecurity responsibilities.

7: Stay Updated on the Latest Cybersecurity Threats (Focus on providing relevant news that employees can understand; they don’t relate to news about specific malware strains.)

• Regularly monitor cybersecurity news and emerging threats to stay ahead of evolving attacks.
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.
• Implement timely security patches and updates to protect against known vulnerabilities.

8: Empower Employees to Become Cybersecurity Champions (Prizes? Stickers? Digital Awards? Whatever your culture will support.)

• Provide employees with the knowledge and resources to identify and report potential threats.
• Encourage employees to take ownership of their cybersecurity responsibilities and advocate for secure practices.
• Reward and recognize employees who demonstrate outstanding cybersecurity behavior.

9: Continuously Evaluate and Improve Cybersecurity Programs (Your content won’t work if it’s boring.)

• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness programs and training initiatives.
• Gather feedback from employees and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.
• Adapt and refine cybersecurity programs based on evolving threats, technologies, and best practices.