Security should be a leading concern for businesses and enterprises of any size in the UK. Not only do physical threats to businesses and staff remain an aspect of modern society, but the increased reliance of company systems and services on software and the Internet of Things increases the average UK business’ exposure to risk. It is said that businesses should be training their staff about cybersecurity every four to six months, to maximise protection against this risk. But why exactly is that the case?
A Culture of Vigilance
In the philosophical sense, training staff in security can be hugely beneficial for a business of any size. The face-value benefits are, of course, key – and will be examined in further detail hereafter – but a comprehensive, targeted, and hands-on approach to security breeds a positive and vigilant company culture, ensuring that staff members look out for one another and feel supported in their actions.
The benefits extend to a speed of response, too. With a workforce united on the security front, it is easier for a business to respond quickly to incidents or breaches, both internal and external. Robust security systems make the investigation and clearance of suspected individuals much simpler on a legal basis, too.
Preventing Data Breaches
One of the major ways in which security training is vital relates to protecting information kept in the digital realm. Customer and staff data are together private, confidential, and sensitive, subject as they are to the Data Protection Act 2018 – or the UK’s iteration of GDPR law. As such, any employees who handle such data need to be GDPR-trained to handle it in the safest possible way.
There also lies the threat of cybercrime, whether the stealing of confidential personnel data or the lifting of documents relating to finances. These data breaches often take the form of ‘phishing’ scams, wherein a cybercriminal impersonates an important executive or business, and convinces a staff member to provide information or access. Cybersecurity training helps staff recognise inconsistencies in phishing attempts, whether improperly formatted emails or fraudulent-looking web portals.
Protecting Intellectual Property
User and employee data is by no means the only information that staff should be trained to protect. Intellectual property is another key concern for businesses, particularly those with proprietary technologies or inventions that may be of interest to rival businesses. Beyond GDPR training, cybersecurity training can ensure the safety of proprietary information and the longevity of a business concept.
Physical Safety
Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, security training – the kind that incorporates real-life scenarios such as forced entry – can be instrumental to preserving the safety of staff members and visitors on site. Insurance plans should be adequate to protect the value of physical assets and equipment, making it crucial that employees understand not to endanger themselves for the assets in question.
