How Lack of Cybersecurity Training Makes Small Businesses Easy Targets

Small businesses may think they don’t need to implement cybersecurity training programs because larger enterprises with more revenue are more profitable for bad actors. However, small businesses lacking essential security measures are prime targets due to the ease of access and fewer resources for investigation and remediation. While cybersecurity solutions can be an indispensable part of a robust cybersecurity strategy, it is crucial for even small organizations to prioritize user security awareness training (SAT) alongside these tools.

According to a recent Cyber Risk Report published by IT solutions provider Probrand, a shocking proportion of small businesses in the UK are lacking essential security measures, from SAT to network firewalls. The report highlights the necessity for small businesses to consider and address cybersecurity risks as a top priority.

Risks of Lacking Cybersecurity Awareness

There is a wide range of potential consequences for organizations that do not employ effective SAT, especially in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Without proper cybersecurity awareness, organizations are vulnerable to threats for a number of reasons.

• The prevalence of remote and hybrid working environments in recent years has increased the risks of device and account theft or compromise as systems and operations are more spread out without a strictly defined perimeter to defend. Employees often use the same devices for personal and professional functions, making it more difficult for organizations to monitor and control the security of those devices.
• Phishing and social engineering attacks take advantage of human nature with deception and manipulation, which is difficult for security solutions to protect against. It only takes one user within an organization to fall for a phishing scam, which endangers the entire business.
• The increasing popularity of evolving technologies like cloud platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) can leave a vacuum of security where users are generally familiar with longstanding best practices but not educated or equipped to securely use newer tools and platforms.
• Even small businesses often store and handle far more data than they can effectively keep track of or protect, especially if every user is not aware of security needs and policies.
• Small businesses are less likely to have concrete security policies in place regarding business communications, and cybercriminals are aware of this. For example, a prospective customer cold contacting someone within the organization directly via text message may not be an immediate red flag for some smaller businesses.
• Like many organizations, cybercriminals are also increasingly adopting AI/ML capabilities, automation, and other emerging and evolving technologies to launch more sophisticated and convincing attacks than ever and evade known security measures.

Alarming Cyber Risk Report Statistics

The Cyber Risk Report from Probrand assesses the existing cybersecurity measures of various small and medium businesses in the UK across multiple industries. The survey and analysis reveal some staggering statistics about the cybersecurity postures of these organizations.

The data shows that nearly half (48%) of the UK’s small businesses are leaving employee cybersecurity awareness training out of their security strategies. Almost as many businesses (47%) are missing up-to-date antivirus software, while 15% lack network firewalls. According to the analysis, 11% of businesses and 8% of charities have been the victim of at least one cyberattack in the past year, emphasizing the risks that organizations take when they omit important cybersecurity measures.

In response to this data, the Cyber Risk Report details five key layers of a robust cybersecurity strategy:

• Identify: Conduct a comprehensive assessment to gain a detailed understanding of the IT infrastructure in place, data stores, and security vulnerabilities.
• Protect: Implement policies and measures to prevent threats and bolster security, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and access controls.
• Detect: Continually monitor systems to detect suspicious activity that may indicate risky behavior or cyberthreats.
• Respond: Develop incident response plans to maintain cyber resilience and ensure contingencies in the case of a cyberattack or security incident.
• Recover: Take into consideration how the organization will recover from a cybersecurity incident, such as by keeping backups and obtaining cyber insurance.

Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Training

In order to successfully implement an SAT program, organizations must follow best practices and take steps to find the right one for their needs. It is vital to keep in mind that not all SAT is created equal, and do your research and due diligence to ensure that you are using a trustworthy provider and protecting against third-party risks. Factors like threat intelligence, risk profiles, security needs, and available resources should all be considered in the selection process.

Employee SAT should cover the most pressing threats that can involve the human element, including phishing, data leakage, malware and ransomware, and unauthorized access. It should include not only the types of threats but also how to recognize the signs of each one and what to do in the event of an attempt or attack.

In an age of modern and constantly-evolving threats, organizations are encouraged to look for training that goes beyond simply checking a box. Training should feature lessons that are crafted to teach users their role in the security of the entire organization, using tools like visual aids and simulations to maximize engagement and retention. While they may not have the same resources for cybersecurity, with the right SAT program in place, small businesses can protect against rising threats.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this and other guest author articles are solely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire.