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Cyber security training remains the MOST cost-effective thing an organization of any size can do to protect itself against cyber attacks.
Here are some key numbers to put things in perspective about cyber threats and cyber security training.
- 11 seconds – the average time between ransomware attacks
- 34% – number of local government organizations that were victims of ransomware attacks in the last year
- $1,500 – the amount per employee lost to phishing attacks
- 50% – the number of ransomware attacks that target organizations with fewer than 100 employees
- $955,429 – the average cost for a small or medium business to return to normal operations after a cyber attack
- $570,000 – the average ransom demand
- 39% – the number of companies that pay a ransom but receive NONE of their data back
- 80% – the number of ransomware victims who are hit with another ransomware attack within 12 months
- 95% – the number of data breaches that occur as a result of employee mistakes
- 70% – the amount of customer business lost following a data breach
- $764,000 – the median cost of a Business Email Compromise
- 72% – reduction in impact on operations from a cyber attack following cyber security training
The last stat is the most important…because this is the one you have control over. By providing security training to your staff, you can turn your most significant security threat into your biggest security asset.
An untrained workforce is not simply a non-player in your security. They are a detriment because their inability to recognize threats can lead them to click on a malicious link or open a malicious file.
Training will help keep your employees aware of threats and equip them with the tools they need to recognize, prevent, and report them.
The more the cyber security industry does to help businesses protect themselves, the more sophisticated cyber criminals become in their attacks.
It is also important to remember to involve them in the solution. Do not punish them. Instead, reward them for recognizing phishing attempts (i.e., real or simulations). It’s a simple carrot vs. stick methodology. If your employees know what to do when faced with a threat, they will feel empowered to take action.
While technology tools are essential in protecting your network, your people are equally important. Maybe even the most important.
Your organization doesn’t have to face these cyber security threats alone. Commonwealth Sentinel can assess your existing IT security and collaborate with your team to enhance it. We provide a wide range of cyber security services to help keep your organization running securely.
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we stay focused on cyber security so you can focus on other things. Contact us today or sign up for a free consultation.