Introduction
Cybersecurity and cyber-compliance go hand in hand, and they’re much more than just buzzwords that you may have heard at work!
Keeping your most private data secure is not only important to your job; it’s mandated by law in many industries and important to the people whose personally identifiable information you manage and maintain.
Does your workplace encourage cybersecurity and compliance? By making this a part of company culture, the organization can become a safer place for everyone—and all the data stored on the network!
Why a Culture of Security Matters
A successful cyberattack can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. By following cybersecurity best practices and being vigilant about cybersecurity threats, employees can help to protect their company’s assets and their own personal information.
When you have a good relationship with your coworkers, or even a semi-amicable one, then you probably try to avoid making your daily tasks harder for each other. Collaboration and open communication are key to productive, happy teams. If you demonstrate to coworkers that you place a lot of value in cybersecurity and -compliance, they will be more likely to lean into their own security awareness training, and so on.
Now, you’re just one person who doesn’t have the power to change everyone’s mind overnight! It’s important that upper management is also implementing, and enforcing, policies encouraging everyday cybersecurity and compliance awareness.
Building a Culture of Cybersecurity at Work
So, how can you help contribute to your company culture in a positive way?
- Make sure you’re paying attention during your security awareness training, and stay up to date on cybersecurity best practices. This can be done through online resources, training programs offered by their employer, or even simply by talking to colleagues who are more knowledgeable about cybersecurity.
- Follow company cybersecurity policies and procedures. This includes things like using strong passwords, being careful about what links they click on, and reporting suspicious activity to their IT department. Don’t know how to do something? Just ask!
- Be an advocate for cybersecurity in the workplace! As the saying goes, “if you see something, say something!” and this is great advice for any odd behavior you notice in the workplace or on company servers.
- Talk to colleagues about the importance of cybersecurity, and suggest improvements to the company’s cybersecurity posture when you notice any weaknesses that could be improved upon.
- Stay abreast of the latest scams and attack methods out there, and learn how to avoid falling victim to them!
Cyberattacks can have a devastating impact on businesses of all sizes. That’s why it’s so critical that every single employee holds themselves, and their colleagues, accountable for staying cyber-secure and -aware.
Conclusion
Do you know where to turn if you recognize a scam? Learn how and where you’re meant to report suspicious activity, BEFORE you’re facing down an active threat. Know how to contact your IT team and supervisors, and use strong authentication requirements on all accounts to prevent hackers from digging too deep!
You should stay mindful of what information they share online, both personally and professionally. Avoid sharing sensitive information on social media or on public networks, and don’t click on any suspicious links. Remember to keep your software up to date, too, so as to reduce zero-day attacks and gain the latest security patches that have come out since the last update.
By following these tips, YOU can help create a more secure workplace for everyone!
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