Why are humans still the weakest link despite security training and resources

As consumers become more aware of the power of their data, the pressure is on companies to have a robust data privacy strategy to build and retain trust with their customers. All companies are potential targets for data breaches. Hackers don’t care about your industry, revenue size or number of employees. They only care about the data you have and will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. 

What regulations do you need to comply with?

Regulators and governing bodies are playing catch-up to protect consumers and their data at home and abroad:

• All Canadian companies must notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of data breaches and affected individuals when the event represents a real risk of significant harm to affected individuals.  
• Expected Canadian amendments to privacy regulation, including the Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act to give more power to consumers on how companies use their personal information.
• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe allows individuals to object to companies using their personal information for sales or non-marketing related purposes and forces companies to comply with data privacy measures.
• California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives consumer rights relating to the access, deletion and sharing of their personal information that has been collected by businesses.

Companies need to take a critical view of their data privacy risk posture to ensure they can withstand an attack and comply with the above regulations.

But is this enough?

Threats are everywhere, both within your company and outside, and it’s inevitable you will be breached. The reality is that even with the renewed focus on bringing in new legislature, we are still seeing privacy breaches occurring daily. While these events keep the ever-evolving privacy landscape top of mind for businesses, it’s not stopping cyber criminals from infiltrating your networks to steal your most valuable assets.

Throughout this article, we will showcase the findings from our EY Global Information Security Survey (EY GISS) to show how Canadian executives are responding to cybersecurity and privacy so you can assess how your business stacks up. This survey captured the responses of over 1,400 global C-suite leaders and information security and IT executives/managers, including 43 Canadian respondents, representing many of the world’s largest and most recognized global organizations.

How can you take action today?

To have a robust and effective privacy program, a solid cybersecurity strategy is necessary. But cybersecurity is often misunderstood, not just by the public, but by corporate executives and their employees. This lack of knowledge could be the reason why:

The working environment has changed overall time. The adoption of hybrid working implies that representatives can work as well as enjoy the best of the worlds wherever there is the availability of the internet connection. Yet, getting a safe working environment in a post-pandemic world will require a superior mix of prevention and payback in a more proactive way to deal with network protection.

Although companies continually shield their digital resources from hackers beyond their framework, the awkward truth is that the greatest cyber security threat is a lot nearer to home. Pretty much every detailed information breach is many times accused of a human mistake. These titles propose that the employees are generally at fault.

How did we come to be here?

The front-line staffs and even the most careful CEOS are the targets of the cyber attackers. The typical LinkedIn profile and company site contain a gold mine and a wonderful toolkit for a spear-phishing attack. All that from email addresses, domains, work accounts, networks, and the tech gathering that the CEO or finance head is joining in.

These subtleties make it simpler for attackers to socially design a reasonable touchpoint to take advantage of. Clueless staffs are an obvious target, however, it's the keys they hold to the organization network that is a definitive objective. These are only a couple of explanations behind why 95% of violations are accused of human mistakes.

We ought to ask how staff found themselves weak on the cutting edge under steady attack without the devices they need to safeguard their managers.

What are organizations misunderstanding?

Organizations usually put time and cash into supporting their cyber protections and supporting innovation. There is a long list of software, anti-virus solutions, VPNs, operating system patching, and vulnerability scanning fixing across each gadget. That is before they add support contracts, provider meetings, and administration work area demands in with the general mishmash. But what amount do they put resources into each representative in expanding their cyber safety mindfulness?

Attacking staff with a deluge of data when they feel overpowered with their responsibility has become ineffective. Clients are yet tapping on rebel links and contaminated attachments.

In a computerized time of constantly developing threats, most staff will expect their company is now secure with the strategies and systems set up by their IT unit. Many will know nothing about the repercussions of tapping on a link, connecting in an email, or the job they could accidentally play in a security break.

We realize that the activities of incompetent staff will trigger cybersecurity occurrences. However, companies rarely put resources into instructing their staff on the risks and bringing issues to light around phishing, social designing, malware, and designated attacks that could be coming in their direction each working day.

Further developing Cybersecurity mindfulness

Innovation can shift through the greater part of the threats, yet it won't ever remove all that from getting at staff who address the last line of security. They will be challenged with hacking, phishing, and ransomware assaults every day. Yet rather than making an error culture, each staff should be allowed and caused to feel a piece of the plan.

The appearance of a worldwide pandemic changed how we as a whole team up across groups and stay associated with our colleagues. We likewise need to recall that being assaulted with notices continually over the course of the day has expanded exhaustion and burnout.

Notwithstanding, every application, PC, cell phone, or tablet addresses a potential attack vector. At any rate, each representative should be prepared to distinguish different attack vectors and expertise to report cyber security dangers to close them down. To arrive at this security ideal world, pioneers are tested by giving training strategies that will be absorbable in different learning styles.

Are individuals still the weakest connection in cyber security?

The answer is considerably more puzzled and larger than the responsibilities of any singular staff. Your people ought to be viewed as your most respected and strong security resources as opposed to simply one more risk. Now is the right time to imagine something amazing than prevention and reprisal. The corporate culture, conduct, and security mindfulness across the whole company will all offer more prominent protection against attackers.

Assuming we have gained anything from the occasions of the most recent a year, it's that adjusting to change is undeniable to flourishing and making do. Staff could be quick to recognize an attack or possible breach and alleviate the dangers. Cybersecurity isn't only for IT security experts, it has turned into everyone's business, and everybody ought to be urged to assume a fundamental part in protecting the organization they work for.

Why humans are the weakest link in any security program?

What is usually the weakest link in a secure organization?

What is the weakest among the type of security and why?

Are employees the weakest cybersecurity link sometimes?