We’ve talked about many different aspects that go into having a layered security strategy in our previous Defense In Depth blogs. Now, let’s talk about the fifth layer of our Layered Security Strategy – end-user training and security awareness training, or SAT.
When it comes to cybersecurity, too many businesses still overlook one of the most crucial elements of a robust security strategy: end-user training and security awareness training (SAT). End-users, or employees, can often be the weakest link in an organization’s cybersecurity defense. They may be unaware of the various techniques hackers employ, or they may unwittingly engage in risky behavior that leaves their organization vulnerable.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the importance of end-user training and SAT, and how they contribute to overall business and IT infrastructure security.
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What Is End-User Training?
The process of educating employees on relevant cybersecurity topics is end-user training, which involves informing them about the latest threats. This training is essential because it teaches employees how to identify suspicious interactions, avoid phishing and ransomware attacks, detect and report anomalies, protect their personal and business data, and use security tools, protocols, and processes correctly.
What Is Security Awareness Training (SAT)?
Security Awareness Training (SAT) is a type of training that equips employees with a deep understanding of cybersecurity threats. This training empowers them to identify and promptly report potential risks and threats while providing guidance on effective preventive measures.
Going beyond basic end-user training, SAT delves into a diverse array of topics, covering everything from fundamental cybersecurity principles and best practices to industry-specific regulations, protocols, and the latest cyber threats that pose a risk to the organization’s critical network or data. Platforms, such as Proofpoint, utilize the latest threat intelligence to educate employees and test them with simulated phishing attacks, giving them not only the knowledge to defend against cyber attacks, but also practice and experience.
What sets SAT apart from other cybersecurity training methods is its strategic focus on fostering a culture of security within the organization through these five elements:
Evaluate
Creating a customized training program specific to your employees and business model is critical, and it involves knowing what is or is not being implemented.
Train
We educate your employees through our engaging content, using personalized, evolving, interactive modules that they can take anytime and anywhere. These modules can be altered for different departments and the types of threats each could become exposed to.
Test
This includes simulation attacks that we send to your employees, attempting to bait them into falling for a fake cybersecurity attack. The content changes and remains relevant to what employees may legitimately be exposed to.
Data
We provide you with a dashboard that analyzes results and show exactly how each employee interacts with the training assignments, simulation attacks, and assessments. Detailed and easy to read, this dashboard allows you to evaluate progress and identify areas that need improvement, or which employees need specialized attention.
Repeat
Our targeted training is a continuous cycle that evolves with your business, employees, and existing threats. This approach is not a “one and done,” and we will continue to educate your employees on areas where it’s needed most.
Through regular SAT sessions, organizations not only educate their workforce but also cultivate a heightened awareness and commitment to security. This proactive approach significantly reduces the likelihood of falling victim to sophisticated and malicious cyberattacks, ensuring that employees are well-versed in both general and industry-specific guidelines, and consistently adhere to them.
Benefits Of Security Awareness Training
In addition to boosting an organization’s security, SAT and end-user training offer various benefits. First, they can improve employee morale and productivity by easing anxiety about new threats. Regular training not only empowers employees but also provides them with the latest knowledge and tools to stay ahead of emerging threats – which is especially important in today’s ever-evolving digital world.
Additionally, SAT education is cost-effective and helps reduce the need for frequent upgrades to security tools and systems. Often, companies face cybersecurity issues because they hesitate to invest in proper end-user education. Instead of spending a lot of money on upgrading security tools that employees may not use correctly due to a lack of knowledge, organizations can get better results by investing in educating their workforce. This ensures that employees have the necessary know-how to use security tools effectively, optimizing the overall cybersecurity strategy and cutting unnecessary costs.
Ongoing and regular SAT and end-user training is essential to creating a culture of security within organizations, reducing the costs of upgrading security tools and technologies, and keeping businesses safe from attacks. Investing in your employees’ security awareness helps safeguard your business data and critical processes while also increasing overall productivity and morale. Make SAT education and end-user training a priority in your organization today!
Stay tuned for our next Defense In Depth blog, where we’ll discuss the importance of IT assessments and monitoring.
If you’re interested in learning more about end-user training and SAT, please contact us by calling (502) 240-0404 or emailing info@mirazon.com.