Human Error in Cybersecurity: An Overlooked Threat

A 2022 report from Verizon revealed that most data breaches are linked to human error, accounting for 82% of cybersecurity breaches. Despite businesses investing in advanced security systems, the human element remains a critical weak point. The unintentional actions of employees often lead to security breaches that cyber criminals can exploit. Even highly skilled employees can make these mistakes, especially when dealing with overly complicated tools or systems. Another common error occurs when employees mistakenly send sensitive emails to the wrong recipient, further exposing a company to cybersecurity risks. Understanding how human errors impact cybersecurity and how businesses can mitigate human error is key to protecting valuable data.

What Is Human Error?

Human error refers to unintentional actions or skill-based errors that compromise the security of an organization. Even skilled employees, when overwhelmed by complex tools or stressed by high workloads, can make seemingly minor mistakes that result in cybersecurity breaches. These human errors often involve clicking on a phishing email, misconfiguring systems, or mishandling sensitive information. Whether it’s an expert or a novice, human mistakes are a significant risk in any security framework. To prevent human error, it is crucial to eliminate opportunities for mistakes and educate employees about risks and correct actions.

Role of Human Error in Cybersecurity

The human element plays a major role in cybersecurity. While sophisticated firewalls and password management tools can safeguard your network, even the most secure system can be undone by a single human mistake. Even skilled employees are not immune to mistakes, especially when using overly complicated or unfamiliar systems. Cyber criminals often target individuals through tactics like phishing scams and business email compromise. Mistakes like sending emails with sensitive information to the wrong person also open up vulnerabilities. When human error is involved, cyber breaches can happen swiftly, putting valuable information and the company’s reputation at risk. Reducing human error through best practices such as creating a security-focused culture, educating users, and minimizing opportunities for mistakes is crucial to enhancing security and reducing risks.

Types of Human Error

There are two main types of human error that contribute to cybersecurity breaches:

1. Action-based Errors: These errors occur when an employee performs an incorrect action, such as clicking a phishing email or downloading malicious attachments. Sending sensitive emails to unintended recipients is another common human mistake that can lead to serious data breaches.
2. Inaction-based Errors: When employees fail to act—whether it’s neglecting to update software, using weak passwords, or ignoring security alerts—they leave the system vulnerable. Weak passwords are especially problematic, as they provide an easy way for attackers to gain access to company systems.

Even with extensive knowledge, skilled employees may overlook critical updates or make configuration errors, especially if the tools they are using are unnecessarily complex.

Human Error Isn’t Always the User’s Fault

Although human errors are often blamed on the employee, cybersecurity risks may also stem from company policies, tools, or security culture. Complicated systems or tools that are difficult to use, combined with unclear security protocols, can lead to more frequent human mistakes. When employees don’t receive adequate cybersecurity training or when they are overwhelmed by overly complex tools, human errors are more likely. In some cases, human risk can even result from everyday activities, such as hurriedly sending an email to the wrong contact, exposing sensitive information to unintended recipients. Businesses need to invest in security awareness and ensure that their IT tools are user-friendly to reduce these risks.

Factors That Contribute to Human Error in Cybersecurity

Several factors increase the likelihood of human mistakes that lead to cybersecurity breaches:

• Lack of Continuous Training: Without ongoing awareness training, employees are less likely to recognize cyber threats like phishing emails or social engineering attacks.
• Overconfidence: Many employees, including highly skilled ones, may believe they can easily spot cyber threats, which leads them to overlook security issues or engage with suspicious links or attachments.
• Weak Passwords: The use of weak passwords or reusing the same password across multiple platforms can allow attackers to gain access to sensitive systems easily.
• Complicated Tools: Even with expertise, employees can make configuration errors or leave systems vulnerable if the tools are overly complicated or difficult to navigate.
• Poor Password Management: Failing to use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (or two-factor authentication) increases the likelihood of a breach.
• Email Mistakes: In busy work environments, employees can unintentionally send sensitive emails to the wrong contact, creating additional security vulnerabilities.

5 Examples of Employee Mistakes in Cybersecurity

Here are five common examples of human error in cybersecurity that can compromise company data:

1. Falling for Phishing Emails: One of the most common cyber threats, phishing scams trick employees into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information.
2. Using Weak Passwords: The use of passwords like “123456” or “password” remains prevalent and makes it easier for attackers to compromise systems.
3. Neglecting Software Updates: Many employees, including skilled ones, fail to update their software regularly, leaving security vulnerabilities open to exploitation.
4. Misconfigured Cloud Settings: Even experienced employees can make skill-based errors when managing complex cloud infrastructure, exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users.
5. Sending Sensitive Emails to the Wrong Person: Human error can also manifest in simple actions like accidentally sending sensitive information to an unintended recipient, leading to potential security breaches and a loss of valuable information.

How To Mitigate the Cybersecurity Impact of Human Error

Reducing the impact of human error requires a combination of training, processes, and tools. Here are key strategies for mitigating human errors:

1. Cybersecurity Training: Implement regular awareness training to teach employees how to recognize and avoid common cyber threats like phishing scams. Continuous training ensures employees stay updated on best practices and new attack vectors.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication: Adding an additional layer of security, such as two-factor authentication, helps protect your network, even if passwords are compromised.
3. Password Management: Encourage strong password practices by implementing tools that generate and store unique passwords for each account. This reduces the likelihood of human mistakes like reusing weak passwords.
4. Simplifying Tools: Ensure that the tools your employees use are user-friendly and avoid overly complex configurations that increase the chance of human error.
5. Security Audits: Conduct regular audits to identify potential security issues caused by human errors before they lead to cybersecurity breaches.
6. Creating a Strong Security Culture: Foster a cybersecurity culture where employees are encouraged to report mistakes and ask questions. Educating users and making cybersecurity part of everyday decision-making can help reduce human error.

Conclusion

Human error in is a significant risk that businesses cannot afford to ignore. Even skilled employees, when dealing with complicated systems or under stress, can make human mistakes that lead to cyber breaches. From phishing scams to weak passwords and email mistakes, human errors often lead to security breaches that cause financial and reputational damage. By implementing robust cybersecurity training, using tools like multi-factor authentication, simplifying complex systems, and fostering a strong security culture, businesses can reduce human error and protect their sensitive data from potential cyber threats.

For small businesses in Phoenix, Sirius Office Solutions can help you build a cybersecurity culture that safeguards your organization from cyber threats. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help mitigate human errors and protect your business.