7 Ways Your Employees are Heightening the Risk of a Security Breach

Keeping your business and its data secure is crucial in today’s world. While the global economic meltdown has made it even more challenging to keep businesses afloat, it is important to remember that inefficient systems and controls can be just as harmful as declining revenue. Unfortunately, employees can sometimes unintentionally create security risks that could compromise your company’s confidential information. These actions may seem innocuous, but they can actually increase the likelihood of a security breach. The consequences of a breach can be devastating, leading to significant financial losses and reputational damage for both your organisation and its clients.

According to a 2019 report by Deloitte, the cost of cyber-attacks in Nigeria is significant, with 51% of organisations estimating the cost of a cyber-attack to be between 1 million and 50 million naira (approximately $2,600 to $130,000 USD). The financial services industry is the most targeted sector for cyber-attacks in Nigeria, with 66% of financial services organisations experiencing a cyber-attack in the past year.

While organisations invest heavily in security systems and protocols, one of the biggest threats to data security is often the employees themselves. Here are seven ways your employees are heightening the risk of a security breach and what you can do to prevent them.

1. Weak Passwords

Weak passwords are one of the most common ways employees heighten the risk of a security breach. According to the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report, 61% of breaches involved stolen or weak passwords. Employees who use easy-to-guess passwords or reuse passwords across multiple accounts increase the risk of a security breach.

What You Can Do: Encourage employees to use strong passwords and implement a password management tool that ensures passwords are secure and unique.

2. Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are designed to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious software. According to the 2021 State of the Phish Report, 25% of employees click on phishing emails, which can result in a security breach.

What You Can Do: Educate employees on how to identify and avoid phishing emails, and implement email filters and anti-phishing software to detect and prevent phishing attempts.

3. Unsecured Devices

Employees who use unsecured devices, such as personal laptops or smartphones, to access work-related information increase the risk of a security breach. These devices may not have the necessary security measures in place, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

What You Can Do: Implement a bring your own device (BYOD) policy that outlines the security requirements for personal devices used for work purposes. This policy should include security software, regular updates, and strong passwords.

4. Social Engineering

Social engineering is the use of psychological manipulation to trick employees into divulging sensitive information. According to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, social engineering was involved in 11% of all breaches.

What You Can Do: Educate employees on social engineering tactics, such as pretexting and baiting, and encourage them to verify requests for sensitive information before responding.

5. Lack of Security Awareness

Employees who are not aware of the latest security threats and best practices are more likely to inadvertently compromise data security. For instance, they may fall victim to phishing scams or open suspicious attachments.

What You Can Do: Start by developing a comprehensive security awareness program that includes regular training sessions, updates on emerging threats, and ongoing reinforcement of best practices. Provide employees with resources such as posters, newsletters, and online resources to support their learning. You can also conduct mock phishing exercises to test employees’ ability to identify suspicious emails and help them become more security-conscious.

6. Physical Security Lapses

Physical security lapses, such as leaving sensitive documents or devices in plain sight, can put your company’s confidential information at risk of being compromised by unauthorised individuals. These lapses can occur due to negligence or forgetfulness on the part of employees, but the consequences can be severe.

What You Can Do: Implement a clear desk policy that requires employees to keep their workspaces clear of sensitive documents and devices when not in use. Provide secure storage facilities and encourage employees to report any lost or stolen devices immediately.

7. Unauthorised Access

Employees who have access to sensitive information but do not require it to perform their job duties increase the risk of a security breach. This can be caused by a lack of role-based access control or employees sharing passwords.

What You Can Do: Implement role-based access control that limits employees’ access to sensitive information to only what is required for their job duties. Encourage employees to report any unauthorised access immediately.

In conclusion, your employees play a significant role in your company’s data security. By implementing the seven strategies outlined in this article, you can reduce the risk of a security breach and protect your company’s confidential information. Remember, data breaches can be costly, both in terms of financial losses and damage to your company’s reputation. By taking proactive measures to educate and train your employees, you can help safeguard your company’s data and minimise the risk of a security breach.

At The Shred Station, we are committed to helping businesses like yours maintain their data security. Our professional document shredding services ensure that sensitive information is destroyed securely, reducing the risk of data breaches. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business stay secure.