IT Governance USA, the leading supplier of cybersecurity and data protection expertise, is urging organizations around the world to take responsibility for raising cybersecurity awareness within the workplace, in line with the aims of the NCSAM (National Cyber Security Awareness Month).
The NCSAM, a collaboration between cybersecurity industry leaders and the DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), takes place every October, working to equip individuals and organizations with the tools and information they need to stay safe online. Each week, the NCSAM has a different cybersecurity focus. The focus of week 3, October 15–19, is “It’s Everyone’s Job to Ensure Online Safety at Work”.
IT Governance USA is an “NCSAM Champion”. In that role, it has been increasing cybersecurity awareness through blogs and by distributing posters among the organizations in their office suites.
Founder and executive chairman of IT Governance, Alan Calder, said: “Information security breaches can be very costly for your organization. Staff errors and negligence are some of the top causes of data breaches. This month, more than ever, we encourage organizations to work with their employees to help them protect their personal and confidential data. Each employee must do their bit to avoid a breach.”
The ability of an organization to grow commerce, communications, community, and content depends on cybersecurity. It is therefore vital that the whole workforce takes shared responsibility for cybersecurity: every employee must manage risk, and be resilient against cyber threats and data privacy issues, while organizations must be held accountable for investing in staff cyber education.
Cybersecurity and privacy issues are constant and evolving phenomena, and staff awareness programs in the workplace must reflect this. Beginning at the induction and reinforced through regular updates, briefings, and training, educating staff is key to ensuring they feel part of the cybersecurity solution, rather than part of the problem. Equipping employees with the knowledge and tools to stay safe online empowers them to take an active role in their organization’s security. Initiatives to promote safe online practices in the workplace need not be time-consuming, expensive, and unengaging.
During the NCSAM, organizations are encouraged to use IT Governance USA’s wide range of solutions to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats among their employees.
Designed by information security experts, pocket guides provide quick and accessible information about the dangers of poor data protection and cybersecurity. Staff can take their learning into their own hands with The ISMS Card Game, a team-based way of increasing staff awareness of the types of cyber attack they may face.
Putting up posters around the office is a way of subconsciously reminding staff of the importance of safe online behavior. It is also important that information security professionals learn how to create a cybersecurity culture that promotes this behavior in the workplace. Build a Security Culture and The Psychology of Information Security are bestsellers in this area. Employees must be alert, vigilant, and secure.
A cost-effective, efficient means of delivering staff awareness training is an e-learning course. Some of the most common threats are phishing and ransomware attacks, which target employees through the Internet and by email.
These courses, and other online e-learning courses, can be customized to match the needs of your organization. Our Security Awareness Program is uniquely designed to fit an organization’s needs, culture, and values, and is the ultimate tailor-made solution to staff cybersecurity awareness.
To find out more about IT Governance’s staff awareness tools and resources, please visit the website, contact the team directly at servicecenter@itgovernanceusa.com or call +1 877 317 3454.