Are Your Employees Reporting Security Issues Quickly Enough?

Ensuring your team reports security issues promptly is crucial for your business, though it might not have been a priority before.

The Importance of Employee Vigilance

You might think your advanced security tools have you covered. However, your employees are your first line of defense and play an irreplaceable role in identifying and reporting #securitythreats.

Consider this scenario: An employee receives an email that looks suspiciously like it's from a trusted supplier. It’s a classic #phishingattempt, where a cybercriminal poses as someone trustworthy to steal your data. If the employee ignores it or assumes someone else will handle it, that email could lead to a severe data breach, costing your company significantly.

[BLOG] Securing Your Business: How Employee Training Helps Prevent Cyber Attacks

The Reporting Problem

Shockingly, less than 10% of employees report #phishingemails to their security teams. Why is this?

• Lack of Awareness: Employees might not realize the importance of reporting.
• Fear of Mistakes: They may be scared of getting into trouble if they are wrong.
• Assumption: They might think it’s someone else’s responsibility.
• Previous Negative Experiences: Past shaming for security mistakes discourages future reporting.

Educating Your Team

One of the biggest barriers to reporting security issues is a lack of understanding. Employees might not know what a security threat looks like or why reporting it is crucial. This is where engaging, jargon-free education comes into play.

• Interactive Training: Make cybersecurity training engaging and interactive. Use real-life examples and scenarios to illustrate how small issues can escalate if not reported.
• Phishing Simulations: Simulate phishing attacks and demonstrate the potential consequences. Show employees how their actions can prevent disasters, motivating them to report suspicious activity.

Simplifying the Reporting Process

Even motivated employees can be deterred by a complicated reporting process. Ensure the process is simple and accessible:

• Easy Access: Provide easy-access buttons or quick links on your company’s intranet.
• Clear Instructions: Regularly remind employees of the reporting process with clear instructions.
• Immediate Feedback: Acknowledge reports promptly with a thank you or recognition to reinforce the behavior.

Fostering a Positive Reporting Culture

Create a culture where reporting security issues is seen as a positive action. If employees fear judgment or punishment, they will stay silent. Here’s how to encourage openness:

• Leadership Example: Leaders should share their own experiences with reporting issues. When top executives talk openly about security, it encourages everyone else to do the same.
• Security Champions: Appoint security champions within different departments to support peers and make the reporting process less intimidating.
• Regular Discussions: Keep security a regular topic of conversation to keep it top-of-mind for everyone.
• Celebrate Success: Share success stories where reporting helped avoid a disaster. This educates and motivates the team to stay vigilant.

Building a Proactive Workforce

By making it easy and rewarding for employees to report security issues, you’re protecting your business and building a more engaged and proactive workforce. Encourage open communication, continuous learning, and avoid shaming anyone for their mistakes. Quick reporting makes issues easier and cheaper to fix, ensuring your business remains secure and thriving.

This is something Systems X regularly helps businesses with. If we can help you too, get in touch.