Cyber Security Awareness A Complete Guide to Online Security

 

Malicious attacks can occur on computers, servers, mobile devices, networks, and data, and hence

to defend against such attacks cybersecurity comes to the rescue or defense.

For many organizations, it’s necessary to be aware of cybersecurity and must provide training programs for their employees to cope with cyber attack issues smartly. Using this awareness practice, your employees and organization are safe.

You can deal with cyber threats only if you and your entire organization have a complete guide on it.

Further, the term cybersecurity is divided into the following common categories :

• Network security: Using this practice, you can secure your computer network from targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.

• Application security: It’s designed to protect your software and devices free from cyber threats. And hence, thus security begins in the initial stage of designing before a program or device is installed.

• Information security: Under this security, data, and integrity are protected in both storage and transit.

• Operational security: To handle and protect data assets, it allows permission to users how and where data may be stored or shared when accessing a network.

Besides this, for an organization, it’s vital to cover all its bases by considering its components that play a crucial role in fostering cyber security:

• People

• Processes

• Technology

• Disaster recovery and business continuity:  It dictates how one organization should respond to a cyber-security incident and to an issue of losing data and operations.  So, as to restore its operations/data/information to keep the continuity of your business.

End-user education To address people/users about cyber threats and teach security awareness such as deleting suspicious email attachments, not plugging in unidentified USB drives, and every important lesson related to common cyber attacks are vital for the security of any organization.

Types of cyber threats and name the latest ones

For immediate action against the long list of threats, it’s important to stay ahead of such threads. You can’t stop this long chain of digital threats from growing, but you can find a resolution for them by educating yourself, your workforce, and as many people as possible for you.

There are three-fold cyber security threats:

1. Cybercrime

2. Cyber-attack 

3. Cyberterrorism

• Malware

Malware is one of the most common cyber threats created by cybercriminals or hackers. It is malicious software that disrupts a legitimate user’s system. Usually, it spreads through unsolicited email attachments or legitimate-looking downloads to make money.

Different types of malware:

• Virus

• Trojans

• Spyware

• Ransomware

• Adware

• Botnets

• SQL injection (structured language query)

It's a type of cyber-attack used to gain access to databases and take their information. The database's sensitive information is accessible to cybercriminals.

• Phishing

Phishing attacks are mostly done through mail to send fraudulent communication/information from a reputable source to steal sensitive data such as credit card and login info.

• MITM (Man-in-the-middle attack)

When a hacker attack to steal personal information such as login credentials, account details, and credit card numbers as a perpetrator between a user and an application. 

• Distributed Denial-of-service attack

This attack is used to create a distraction while other cyber attacks or frauds are attempted by developing a network of infected computers known as Botnets.

• End-user protection

One of the crucial aspects of cybersecurity is end-user protection as many users accidentally upload malware to their devices. And that’s why it must be handled by educating them about cyber threats and how to resolve them.

And if discuss the latest threats then have a look at a few of them:

• Dridex malware (In December 2019)

• Emotet malware (In 2019)

• Romance scams (In February 2020)

Protection against cyber threats

For any business and individual, cyber safety tips need to be considered to guard yourself against any digital threats. With the constant practices of cyber criminals, the latest defensive tools, and technologies to detect malware in the browser and emails of the employees. As per the records, 85% of data breaches involved the human element, with 94% of malware delivered via email. So, make sure to keep the following tips on cyber threats in mind:

1. Keep your software and operating system updated to get benefitted from the latest security patches.

2. Make use of anti-virus software to get the best level of protection.

3. Ensure to use strong passwords that are not easily guessable.

4. Email attachments by unknown senders should not be opened, as they are infected with malware. And usually, this is the common way to spread malware.

5. Do not use unsecured WiFi networks as they have threats like man-in-the-middle attacks.

All in all, to introduce effective measurable benefits there is a severe need of implementing a strong security culture to use cyber-secure practices at professional and personal levels. It helps in delivering clear visibility to potential threats to take immediate action against these threats.

Effective Methods to Deliver Cybersecurity Awareness Training

To revamp your organization’s cybersecurity, there is a great need of introducing effective methods to amplify the security.

1. Advanced Video sessions

You can start security sessions from the basics, but delivering the knowledge using advanced techniques/ways makes it more impactful and effective for the employees.

It will be easy for the employees to absorb every little detail related to digital threats if advanced video sessions are provided as they are more highly scalable than traditional training methods.

2. Interactive applications

For memory retention, and to understand the basics provided on cyberattacks, using interactive applications in the organizations is another cool idea. As it makes learning more fun and makes them confident too to tackle the sudden issue of cyber attacks.

3. Gamification

To execute a right or quick thought among the employees in any situation of cyber attack, these days the idea of gamification is getting a lot of appreciation.

As games often teach us real-life situations, make us quick enough to do an action, and boost our minds to think rightly. Hence, teaching your employees through gamification gives them long-lasting experience to keep details in mind.

Conclusion

Cybercrimes are growing day by day, and for this, we need to be mindful of preventive measures. And that’s why, the initial step is educating your employees and people around you through training programs, interactive ways or sessions, insightful gamification, etc. 

Last but not least, to make a stirring change in the world of cybersecurity one needs to understand it as their responsibility. 

(Tip: Remember that even a small investment by your organization into cybersecurity awareness training proved beneficial. To keep your employees engaged in security programs, there are tools offered to deliver training modules, assessments, and newsletters)

FAQs

What are the best methods for delivering security awareness in an organization?

You can go ahead with customizable programs which include several methods of educating:

• Visual training 

• Interactive sessions

• Mock tests

• Gamification

How does Security Fist help the companies?

As a team of security experts, we develop, implement, and measure security awareness programs for all types of companies whether large or small scale.

Why is the knowledge survey assessment conducted by Security Fist?

To assess users’ knowledge and awareness to find out the areas of weaknesses and strengths in the organization’s overall security awareness. It helps in customizing and suggesting the right security development program.