In today’s hyper-connected society, more and more of our routines are conducted online. We depend more and more on cyber security as more and more of our daily lives move online, including work, communication, commerce, and interpersonal interactions.

It is very easy for cybercriminals to cause havoc in our personal and professional lives. They now have more opportunity to take advantage of our weaknesses as our reliance on the internet and mobile devices grows. Only in the business world can a cyberattack bring a corporation to its knees, with losses that may be irreparable.

According to Accenture’s Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study, the average cost of cybercrime rose from $11.7 million in 2017 to $13 million in 2018, an increase of 12 percent. This is a 72 percent increase over the past five years.

Raising cyber security awareness is a vital first step in mitigating the effects of cyber-crime, and there are steps an organization can take to do so.

What Is Cyber Security Awareness?

Despite the best efforts of IT departments, humans continue to remain the weakest link in any network’s security. The human race is fallible; individuals can be duped or forgetful. This is where knowing how to protect yourself online comes in.

Educating workers on cyber security risks and threats, as well as potential vulnerabilities, is an integral part of this process. Staff members should be made aware of the importance of maintaining secure networks and data and the repercussions of failing to do so. Losing one’s employment, facing criminal charges, or causing irreparable harm to the business are all potential outcomes.

Cyber security experts can fortify this weak spot by raising awareness among staff about the gravity of the dangers and the consequences of a security breach.

What Is Security Awareness Training?

Instruction on cyber defense in India, Technically speaking, security awareness training is the process of informing workers on the need to safeguard sensitive information, personal identities, and other resources that are frequently targeted by hackers.

Why Do Businesses Need Security Awareness Training among employees?

Businesses, employees, and third-party contractors and business partners would all benefit from training programs that emphasize the importance of preventing data breaches in an organization’s computer system.

What Are the Benefits of Cyber Security Awareness Training among employees?

First and foremost, the safety of an organization’s digital network is improved by having employees who are trained in cyber security.

Cybercrime costs can be mitigated if threats are reduced. As a result, it is reasonable to expect a return on investment for a company that invests in cyber security awareness training for its staff.

There will be less of a chance for security to be compromised if all personnel are educated on the best cyber security practices before anyone leaves the organization. That is to say, you will lessen the likelihood of a security lapse happening on a day when a key employee is absent from work.

Lastly, customers will have more faith in a firm whose employees prioritize safety, as they are less likely to do business with a questionable establishment. Repeated security breaches will cause a company to lose consumers, regardless of the severity of any individual incident.

Educating the public on proper practices is essential to achieving this heightened degree of safety.

Why Is Security Awareness Training Important?

The prevention of cyberattacks on a system and subsequent data breaches is a key benefit of security awareness training. The key goal is to avoid occurrences like this that might damage a company’s image and bottom line.

According to recent studies on the financial impact of data loss by industry leaders, IT firms suffered an average of USD 4.2 million per incident. The lost price tag in 2020 was estimated at $3.86 million. There has been a rise in the frequency with which businesses are attacked. Research has also shown that human error accounts for nearly all instances. As a result, data security must be elevated to the position of paramount importance in any organisation. One way to ensure this is effectively executed is to provide ongoing training and education to employees on how to recognise and respond to potential hazards facing the company.

Conclusion

The effects of cybercrime can be lessened through increased employee awareness of cybersecurity measures. There was an increase from 2017’s average cost of $11.7 million to 2018’s average cost of $13 million, as reported by Accenture’s Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study. Employees are educated about the importance of protecting data, identities, and other resources that are common hacking targets through security awareness training. Information security breach prevention training programs would be beneficial for businesses, employees, and third-party contractors and business partners. The protection of a company’s digital network is one of the many advantages of cyber security awareness training.

A company’s reputation and bottom line can take a hit from cyberattacks and data breaches, so it’s important for employees to receive cybersecurity awareness training. Human error is the leading cause of data loss, according to studies, so protecting sensitive information should be a top priority. For this to be carried out successfully, employees must be provided with training and education on how to identify and respond to potential dangers.