Progressive businesses seek technologies and solutions to protect their assets and operations, but some underestimate the importance of a “human firewall”.
Progressive businesses seek technologies and solutions to protect their assets and operations, but some underestimate the importance of a “human firewall”.
Why is it important to prioritise the human element?
Cybercriminals are evasive, calculating, and resourceful. They will often attempt to infiltrate a company’s systems through its employees via various forms of attack and social engineering tactics.
The issue is that the human element of any cybersecurity strategy can be the most unpredictable and weakest if time and energy is not spent on educating staff.
Employees are often the first line of defence against cyber threats in a business – and the main reason why building a human firewall is so important.
What is a human firewall?
A human firewall is the concept of people as a defence against cyber attacks. It involves training employees to be aware of potential security threats and encouraging them to take steps to protect their organisation’s information and technology assets.
By creating a culture of security awareness and empowering employees to take an active role in protecting their organisation’s assets, a human firewall can be an effective way to strengthen an organisation’s overall cybersecurity posture. It can complement other cybersecurity measures, thus providing an additional layer of defence against cyber threats.
What is cyber awareness training?
Training and educating employees about the common cyber threats they may face which could compromise their organisation’s security. It also includes the steps they can take if they encounter a threat.
The goal of security awareness training is so defence becomes second nature and employees demonstrate secure behaviour in the workplace.
Maintaining an effective human firewall
Another key aspect of building a human firewall is to implement policies and procedures that promote a security-conscious culture within the organisation. This includes establishing clear guidelines for handling sensitive data, such as passwords and personally identifiable information, and enforcing strict access controls to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive systems and information.
Regular security audits and risk assessments should also be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all security controls are up to date and effective. This includes testing employee knowledge and understanding of security policies and procedures through simulated phishing attacks and other forms of social engineering.
Remember, employees are the first line of defence against cyber threats, so they need to be well-trained and equipped to defend their organisation effectively.
Finally, it is important to recognise that building a human firewall is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving threats.
Cybercriminals are constantly developing new tactics and techniques to circumvent security measures, and organisations must stay vigilant and proactive in their efforts to protect against these threats.
So, how important is a human firewall?
Overall, developing a human firewall is a critical component of any complete cybersecurity strategy. By investing in employee education, implementing rigorous policies and procedures, and conducting regular security assessments, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents caused by human error.
