In general, a healthy dose of skepticism can be good. It helps us separate real news from fake, choose our friends wisely, and gives us pause before we buy the XXL Cheese-buster Burrito from the frozen foods section. Sure, being overly skeptical or untrusting can be a flaw, but in the right dose, skepticism is a positive trait. When it comes to data security, skepticism is even BETTER! Cyber Security Awareness Training puts an emphasis on skepticism: caution in clicking links, caution in downloading files, caution in sending sensitive information. It encourages a raised eyebrow in response to cyber crime that preys on the trusting nature of people.
SEE ALSO: Get a FREE IT Risk Assessment
Here is why remaining skeptical when working online is the right move and how Cyber Security Awareness Training can help:
People are great! The problem is, criminals know it. The average employee would think nothing of sending their supervisor whatever he or she asked for, however he or she asked for it. Even if the request is for sensitive data to be sent over e-mail, most employees will comply without a second thought. That is exactly what cyber criminals are counting on. The human element poses a great risk to your data security. Because people are trusting, they can be taken advantage of. Cyber crime has evolved to exploit that idea. Phishing is an example of a scam that has caused havoc in many businesses.
Phishing is a scam that sees the criminal pose as a trusted person, website, or other authority in order to steal private data. The person being scammed thinks that they are sending the information to a secure source. In reality, they're unknowingly handing over sensitive data directly into criminal hands. It's all too easy to set up a fake site or e-mail account that can dupe someone into sending information they shouldn't. Similar scams include general e-mail scams, phone scams (often posing as the IRS or another authority) and more.
With a sharp rise in Phishing and other scams that prey on the human element, education is the best defense. That's why Cyber Security Awareness Training exists: to teach employees to go against their trusting nature and exercise skepticism. Whenever a request for private data comes across a desk, it should be met with scrutiny. The identity of the person requesting the information should be confirmed several ways and the request itself should be examined for authenticity. This mindset should extend to links in e-mail, e-mail attachments, and anything else that could be a virus-in-disguise.
Cyber Security Awareness Training should be a part of every business. Empowering employees with data security best practices can be the difference between a secure network and a costly breach. Teach employees skepticism and they can help fight against cyber crime.