Human Behavior the Weak Link in Cyber Defense

In the wake of the evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, security attacks, too, have become more advanced and sophisticated. Typically, mid-size organizations are more prone to falling victim to hackers compared to large enterprises. While security threats come in myriad forms, one such threat in the form of ‘phishing attack’ that targets bottom-level email users. As threats are evolving in tandem with advancing technologies, organizations must invest a part of their resource—time and dollar—to incorporate cutting-edge security solutions alongside training their employees and familiarizing them with latest threats and security breaches.

The employer may take all the precautionary measures to keep security threats at bay, but the employee owing to lack of knowledge may not recognize it. According to a Dimensional Research report, the majority of the Information Technology professionals believe the employee behavior to be the chief reason for proliferating security threats. While cyberattacks are becoming sophisticated with time, it’s the need of the hour for organizations to modify their security strategy to include real-time security training for employees, rather than following the traditional blackboard approach.

The same Dimensional Research report emphasizes that there is an acute need for organizations to invest in advanced security solutions along with providing training and simulation to their employees. While training employees will sharpen their skills in how to identify sophisticated phishing emails, advanced solutions such as Barracuda PhishLine will help to keep employees alert of incoming phishing e-mails. Computer-based training, simulation and testing, advanced anti-phishing or cyber security solutions, and an effective security strategy are keys to protecting organizational resources including confidential data from external security threats.