An effective cyber security awareness training program can help to protect an organization from a range of threats, including data breaches, phishing attacks, and malware. By educating employees on the importance of cyber security and teaching them how to identify and avoid potential threats, organizations can reduce the likelihood of a successful attack.

The objectives of cyber security awareness training

The objectives of cyber security awareness training are to educate employees on the importance of cyber security and to teach them how to identify and avoid potential threats. By raising awareness of the risks associated with online activity, employees can be better equipped to protect themselves and their organizations from a range of threats.

Who needs cyber security awareness training?

All employees need to be aware of the risks associated with online activity and the importance of cyber security. However, some roles are more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals, and so may require more comprehensive training. These roles include those with access to sensitive data, such as financial information or personal data, and those who regularly communicate with customers or clients.

When is the best time to conduct cyber security awareness training?

The best time to conduct cyber security awareness training is before an organization experiences a cyber security incident. By educating employees on the risks associated with online activity, organizations can help to prevent attacks from happening in the first place.

How often should cyber security awareness training be conducted?

Cyber security awareness training should be conducted on a regular basis, as the threats associated with online activity are constantly changing. By conducting training on a regular basis, organizations can ensure that employees are up-to-date on the latest threats and how to protect themselves.

How can you make cyber security awareness training more effective?

There are a number of ways to make cyber security awareness training more effective, including:

-Making training mandatory for all employees
-Conducting training on a regular basis
-Using a variety of training methods, such as e-learning, classroom-based training, and simulations
-Tailoring training to the needs of the organization and the employees
-Measuring the success of training

What are some common mistakes made during cyber security awareness training?

Some common mistakes made during cyber security awareness training include:

-Failing to make training mandatory for all employees
-Conducting training infrequently
-Using only one training method
-Not tailoring training to the needs of the organization and the employees
-Not measuring the success of training

How can you measure the success of cyber security awareness training?

There are a number of ways to measure the success of cyber security awareness training, including:

-Assessing employees’ knowledge of cyber security before and after training
-Measuring the number of cyber security incidents that occur within the organization
-Conducting surveys to assess employees’ satisfaction with the training
-Analyzing the results of training simulations

What are some best practices for cyber security awareness training?

Some best practices for cyber security awareness training include:

-Making training mandatory for all employees
-Conducting training on a regular basis
-Using a variety of training methods, such as e-learning, classroom-based training, and simulations
-Tailoring training to the needs of the organization and the employees
-Measuring the success of training
-Providing employees with ongoing support and resources

Takeaway

Cyber security awareness training is essential for all organizations in today’s digitized world. By educating employees on the risks associated with online activity, organizations can help to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. To be effective, training should be conducted on a regular basis and should be tailored to the needs of the organization and the employees.

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The mobile landscape is constantly changing, and with that, so are the security risks. Mobile devices are now an integral part of business, which means that protecting them from security threats is more important than ever.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mobile security for businesses, from the basics of BYOD and MDM to the latest trends in mobile security threats.

What is BYOD and why is it important?

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, is a trend that refers to employees using their own personal devices for work purposes.

BYOD can have many benefits for businesses, such as increased productivity and flexibility, but it also comes with a number of security risks.

If you allow BYOD in your business, it’s important to have a BYOD policy in place that outlines the security measures that employees need to take.

What is MDM and why is it important?

MDM, or mobile device management, is a type of software that allows businesses to manage and secure mobile devices.

MDM is important for businesses because it can help to secure corporate data, prevent data leaks, and ensure compliance with corporate policies.

What are the latest trends in mobile security threats?

There are a few key trends in mobile security threats that businesses need to be aware of:

1. Malware is on the rise.

There has been a significant increase in the number of malware attacks in recent years. Malware can infect a device and allow attackers to gain access to corporate data, make unauthorized purchases, or even take control of the device.

2. Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated.

Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering attack in which attackers attempt to trick victims into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords or financial information.

3. Ransomware is a growing threat.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a device’s data and demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt it. Ransomware attacks can be very costly for businesses, as they may not be able to access their data until the ransom is paid.

4. IoT devices are a security risk.

IoT devices, such as smart TVs and connected thermostats, are becoming increasingly popular, but they also present a security risk. IoT devices are often poorly secured and can be hacked to gain access to a network.

5. 5G will bring new security challenges.

5G is the next generation of mobile technology, and it will bring with it new security challenges. 5G networks will be faster and more complex, which will make them more difficult to secure.

What are the best practices for mobile security?

There are a few key best practices for mobile security:

1. Use a mobile security solution.

Mobile security solutions, such as mobile antivirus and mobile VPNs, can help to protect devices from malware and other security threats.

2. Keep devices up to date.

One of the best ways to protect devices from security threats is to keep them up to date with the latest security patches.

3. Educate employees about mobile security.

Employees need to be aware of the security risks associated with mobile devices and how to protect themselves. Mobile security training can help to educate employees about the risks and how to avoid them.

4. Implement a BYOD policy.

If you allow BYOD in your business, it’s important to have a BYOD policy in place that outlines the security measures that employees need to take.

5. Use MDM to secure corporate data.

MDM can help to secure corporate data and prevent data leaks.

6. Use security solutions for IoT devices.

IoT devices are often poorly secured, so it’s important to use security solutions, such as IoT firewalls, to protect them.

7. Be prepared for 5G.

5G is the next generation of mobile technology, and it will bring with it new security challenges. Businesses need to be prepared for the transition to 5G and the new security risks that it will bring.

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What Are Email Policy Guidelines and Why They Are Important

Email policy guidelines essentially provide rules to encourage employees to engage in productive and positive communications and keep the company network protected from security breaches, confidentiality breaches, legal liability, and reputation damage.

To be effective, they need to set clear rules and expectations based on the needs of the company and its industry. That means that you must determine what’s most relevant to the organization and use that to determine what’s appropriate.

This company policy is important because it protects the company’s email system, so they discourage personal use of company email, insulting or discriminatory messages, accessing personal email, sharing confidential information, and other actions that are strictly prohibited.

Overall, these guidelines identify appropriate use and dictate how to conduct business, how to craft business-related email messages, and more, while protecting from threats like phishing emails.

What Should be Included in Email Policy Guidelines?

Email policy guidelines should be tailored to your company’s specific needs, but there are some common elements that should be included. These elements include:

• A prohibition on the use of company email for personal use.
• A ban on the sending of confidential or proprietary information via email.
• Guidelines for the use of attachments.
• A requirement that employees use only approved email providers.
• A policy on archiving email.
• A policy on the use of auto-responders.

How to Implement Email Policy Guidelines for Company Email

Once your company has crafted a set of guidelines, they must be implemented effectively. Otherwise, they won’t have the desired effect. Here are the three most important aspects of proper implementation:

1. Communicate Your Email Policy Guidelines

How you communicate these guidelines makes a huge difference in whether or not they will be properly adopted. You need to express the guidelines in writing and distribute them to all employees, including new hires, via company email addresses.

They must be easy to read and access, so they should be available on the company’s intranet as well. These policies should also be integrated into employee training and included in handbooks, manuals, etc. Additionally, email policy guidelines must be reviewed and updated if any omissions or errors are detected.

2. Provide Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to establishing and implementing email policy guidelines. That’s why these policies need to be crafted based on the needs of the company and its industry. In other words, they need to make sense.

Additionally, they must comply with any applicable local, state, or federal laws related to electronic monitoring. Not to mention, you must be consistent with all procedures and disciplinary consequences as well.

3. Get Your Employee’s Consent to Company Email Monitoring

According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, employees shouldn’t have any expectation or right to privacy while they’re at work because the equipment and systems they use belong to their employer.

However, employees must sign an email policy that makes it clear they’re being monitored in their employment and why. As long as they follow email usage guidelines, there shouldn’t be an issue.

Final Thoughts

Email policy guidelines exist to protect the organization and they are a part of the company’s overall security. At the end of the day, these guidelines allow employees to make better use of email so they can be more productive and respond a lot more effectively to the needs of the business.

The post Email Policy Guidelines: A Must-Have in Your Company appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

One of the easiest ways to create a clear screen policy is to start with our free template.

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If your organization places any value on its sensitive information, a Clear Screen Policy should be implemented.

What is a Clear Screen Policy?

A clear screen policy directs all your organization’s employees to lock their computers when leaving their desk and to log off when leaving for an extended period of time.

This ensures that the contents of the computer screen are protected from prying eyes and the computer is protected from unauthorized use.

A clear screen policy and a clean desk policy work hand-in-hand to safeguard your organization’s information.

Why is a Clear Screen Policy Necessary?

With the popularity of open plan offices and sharing computer workstations, there is a greater need to safeguard your organization’s information.

In addition, a clear screen policy should be adopted because of the numerous benefits it can provide your organization. Here’s three.

1. Prevent Prying Eyes

Computers that are left logged on and unattended pose as a tempting target for prying eyes.

For example, many employees entrusted with sensitive information often leave documents open in plain view and leave their desk for breaks. An individual in your accounting department may leave a document open exposing the hourly wages of all employees in the office.

2. Prevent Unauthorized Access

A clear screen policy not only prevents curious passerbys from observing information they should not have access to, it also prevents unauthorized access.

Computers left unattended provide the opportunity for malicious data input, modification, or deletion, often to the worker’s blame.

3. ISO 27001/17799 Compliance

A clear screen and clean desk policy are necessary for ISO 27001/17799 compliance. Get a head start on compliance by implementing these policies as soon as possible.

Implementing a Clear Screen Policy

A clear screen policy is simple and practical to implement. Your employees should already be accustomed to logging off and/or shutting down their computer when leaving for the day, but few may lock their computers when leaving their desks, especially for short breaks.

A clear screen policy is most difficult to enforce in its infancy. However, once your organization stresses the importance of having a clear screen policy, your employees will eventually make it into a habit.

There are a few important tips to implement a clear screen policy.

Put it in Writing

A clear screen policy should be in writing and communicated to all employees, especially during introductory and refresher training. Have all employees sign the document for approval. We offer a free clear screen policy template for you to use.

Encourage Keyboard Shortcuts

Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and clicking Lock this computer is straight-forward and simple. However, a windows key combination is yet much simpler. Press Windows Key + L and your computer will lock automatically.

More Clear Screen Resources

• Free Clear Screen Policy Template

The post Clear Screen Policy (Here’s Why Every Business Needs One) appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

Without enforcing the policy on a regular basis, employees will soon realize that any policy your organization publishes can be easily ignored without consequences.

Enforcing a Clean Desk Policy doesn’t have to be difficult. Use our free audit checklist and ensure someone in your organization does audits at least once per quarter.

We’ve created two types of audit checklists: one that prints on an entire 8.5×11″ piece of paper, and a “mini” one that prints four per page.

Clean Desk Policy – Audit Checklist (Full Page)

Clean Desk Policy – Audit Checklist (Mini – Four Per Page)

More Clean Desk Resources

• 5 Benefits to Having a Clean Desk Policy
• Free Clean Desk Policy Template
• Free Clean Desk Poster

The post Clean Desk Policy – Audit Checklist appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

A picture truly does say a thousand words and can help your staff remember the importance of keeping a clean and clear desk.

More Clean Desk Resources

• 5 Benefits to Having a Clean Desk Policy
• Free Clean Desk Policy Template
• Free Audit Checklist

The post Clean Desk Poster (Free to Use) appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

Your organization can spend thousands of dollars on high-tech solutions to protect personal information but all it takes is a careless slip by an employee to cause a massive privacy breach.

This is why employees need constant reminders about the importance of handling personal information properly and why privacy officers need solid ideas to foster privacy awareness in their organization.

Here are seven ways to raise privacy awareness in your business:

1. Write for the Company Newsletter

Most medium-to-large-sized organizations have a company newsletter that gets circulated through the office. This is a great opportunity to deliver privacy-related information to employees at regular intervals. For example, you can use it to write articles on various privacy topics, such as the importance of keeping personal information private, the consequences of not complying with privacy policies and procedures, and tips for protecting personal information.

2. Provide Practical Tips

In addition to writing articles, you can also use the company newsletter to provide practical tips for protecting personal information. For example, you can provide tips on choosing strong passwords, encrypting personal information, and avoiding phishing scams.

Chances are, many of the employees in your organization manage online profiles such as Facebook. Use this opportunity to show employees how to keep their profiles private and show them what type of personal information they shouldn’t share with the entire world.

3. Show Consequences for Failing to Comply with Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures are easier to comply with if employees know why they should be following them.

For example, if your organization uses a document destruction policy to instruct employees to shred all paperwork containing sensitive information, you can refer to news stories where employees have contributed to a privacy breach by throwing personal information into a dumpster rather than using the shredder.

4. Report on Privacy News

Keeping employees up–to–date on privacy news is another great way to raise privacy awareness in your business. Privacy news, especially if it is relevant to your industry, may interest many of your employees. You may choose to provide snippets from articles or rewrite and summarize news stories for your audience.

5. Make Privacy Officers Open and Accessible

Consider publishing the names and contact information of all privacy officers freely in the organization.

Depending on the size of your organization, you may also consider posting a picture and location of the privacy officers in the office. Employees will feel more comfortable approaching privacy officers if they know who they are, where they are located, and if they are open to questions, comments, and suggestions.

Another thing to consider is having your organization create an email specifically designated for privacy related inquiries (e.g. privacy@yourbusiness.com). This will ensure that employees always remember where to send inquiries via email.

6. Deliver Introductory and Refresher Privacy Training

One of the best ways to raise privacy awareness in your business is to provide training for all employees on your privacy policies and procedures. This will ensure that everyone who handles customer data is aware of their responsibility to protect that information.  Deliver privacy training for new and existing employees in person. This will allow you to meet employees and promote privacy awareness on a personal level.

7. Write a F.A.Q. Document

After a few years there will be numerous questions that will be frequently asked by employees. In addition, you can use the F.A.Q. to provide answers to common questions about privacy, such as “What is personal information?” and “What are the consequences of violating privacy laws?” Consider creating a Frequently Asked Questions document and putting it online or making it available in hard copy.

Are there any other ideas that work in your organization? Share them below for all to learn from!

The post 7 Ways to Raise Privacy Awareness in Your Business appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

Privacy training is vital to ensuring your organization’s overall compliance with privacy legislation.

During introductory privacy training a privacy officer will usually explain:

• Who the privacy officers in the organization are
• How and when to contact a privacy officer
• How to protect personal information and reduce the risk of a privacy breach
• The organization’s privacy policy and where to find it
• The organization’s policies and procedures with respect to the collection, usage, and disclosure of personal information (e.g. What personal information does the organization collect? Why? By what methods?)
• How to answer general inquiries about the collection, usage, and disclosure of personal information and when to recognize and direct inquiries to a privacy officer

In addition, a privacy officer will usually be responsible for providing ongoing privacy training to all staff members. This can be done in the form of meetings, presentations, or training documents.

What additional training do you provide in your organization? Share in the comments below for all to learn from!

The post Privacy Training for New Employees appeared first on PrivacySense.net.

This means that you should have a thorough understanding of which privacy legislation applies to your organization and how it applies. Not only that, but you should also understand what privacy legislation applies to your key stakeholders, including your suppliers, service providers and clients.

This can seem like a daunting task for new privacy officers, especially if the role of the privacy officer is new in your organization and there is no training material to help you get started.

Depending on the privacy legislation that applies to your organization, there may already be free privacy resources online that can help your organization with compliance. For example, The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, and PrivacySense all offer free privacy resources.

But while these resources are helpful for summarizing key points of privacy legislation, it does not mean you can avoid reading privacy legislation in full. On the contrary, because you are responsible and accountable for privacy compliance within your organization, it is to your benefit to read and understand privacy legislation line-by-line. After all — it’s your job!

Know What Privacy Legislation Applies to Your Organization

Depending on your organization’s line of business, where it is located, whether it operates in the private or public sector and its flow of personal information, different privacy legislation may apply. With some basic online research you should be able to quickly find out what privacy legislation applies to your organization.

If your organization has a wide geographic presence, multiple offices around the world, or collects, uses, or discloses personal information across borders, it may be subject to different pieces of privacy legislation. In these more difficult scenarios, it may be wise to consult with a privacy lawyer.

Know What Privacy Legislation Applies to Your Key Stakeholders

In addition to understanding what privacy legislation applies to your organization, it is also equally important to understand what privacy legislation applies to your key stakeholders, including your suppliers, service providers and clients.

Your Suppliers

If your suppliers transfer personal information to your organization, you may be required to sign a contract agreeing to provide a comparable level of privacy protection or dispose of the personal information after a certain time period. You should not be caught off guard.

Your Service Providers

If you transfer personal information to a third party service provider, most privacy legislation will require that your provider have a comparable level of privacy protection.

Your organization can be fully compliant and have a top-notch privacy policy but transferring personal information to a service provider without adequate privacy protection undoes all your efforts and can also make your organization liable for personal information in the event of a privacy breach.

Your Clients

If your clients entrust you with personal information, many will require proof that your organization is compliant with privacy legislation. A privacy policy or evidence of other policies and procedures may be required.

Furthermore, some of your clients may be governed by different privacy legislation that can impose certain obligations on your organization.

As a privacy officer, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable and answer any client inquiries that may come your way. Understanding your clients’ privacy legislation, at least on a basic level, will let your clients know that your organization is serious about privacy.

How to Understand Privacy Legislation

Now that you understand the importance of knowing what privacy legislation applies to your organization and its key stakeholders, it’s time to finally read it.

Privacy legislation can be found online by doing a simple Google search or by visiting the website of the privacy authority if one exists in your geographic area. For example, you can Google for Canada’s PIPEDA or UK’s Data Protection Act.

Start by printing out the privacy legislation — you will want a hard-copy to store later for easy access. Grab a highlighter, a pen, and start going through legislation slowly, highlighting relevant sections, making notes, and ensuring you understand everything.

After going through the legislation you may realize that your organization is not compliant in certain areas. As a privacy officer, it is your responsibility to look into any areas of non-compliance, document them, and work towards total organizational compliance.

Whenever possible, supplement your reading with online privacy resources such as those available at PrivacySense and other websites specific to your industry. This will help reinforce both your learning and memory retention.

As months pass, you may find that details from your memory slip. Review legislation, your notes, and online privacy resources whenever possible to ensure that your knowledge and proficiency does not fade away with time.

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