Wondering what topic to consider for the cybersecurity newsletter for your employees? This post will guide you to the must-considered topics that every employee should know about.
Why Employee Cybersecurity Awareness is Important?
Do you know that human error is the leading cause of data breach incidents? This is because employees are in the front lines of your company’s data and security.
When employees are well-taught, they can apply the best practices that can benefit your company’s data security and privacy. Otherwise, employees can innocently put your company’s sake at risk.
Cybersecurity Newsletter Topics for Employees
1. How to Detect and Respond to Email Scams
Email or phishing scams take advantage of email communications to create baits for employees to infiltrate computers and systems.
For example, here are email security practices that every employee should know and practice:
- Do not be quick to trust emails. Know how to evaluate legitimate emails and unsolicited emails.
- Never send money or funds to people who request them via email. If you do so, make sure to consult with the seniors for verification.
- Always filter the spam messages.
- Do not be quick to click unknown links and attachments in email messages. Perhaps you can hover over them and see where the link leads.
- Know the difference between “HTTP” and “HTTPS” in links.
Moreover, phishing scams are not limited to email mediums. In some cases, they can also be via SMS, other messaging platforms, and even within an enterprise collaboration platform.
2. What is a Malware
Malware stands for malicious software. This attack is used to steal private data, like credentials, financial information, and so on, for instance.
Malware can be spread through:
- Removable media
- Phishing emails
- Drive-by downloads
So employees should practice the following protocols:
- Do not be quick to trust file attachments in emails and websites.
- Do not download or install any unauthorized software or file.
- Always keep your antivirus up to date.
- Connect with the IT/security team ASAP, in case of a malware infection.
3. Importance of Password Security
When passwords are compromised, the whole system can be infiltrated.
Usually, employees have online accounts with a username and a password. This is not a problem unless employees apply password security practices. For example:
- Never use a single password for multiple accounts.
- Use a password generator instead.
- Passwords should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to be strong.
- Use a password manager for safely storing passwords.
- When possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) system to reduce the possibility of compromising passwords.
4. Physical Security and Environmental Controls
Employees should also be aware of possible entry points of threats and attacks in the physical workplace.
For instance, consider the following practices on-premises:
- Do not allow visitors or new hires to watch employees type in passwords.
- Do not let in visitors claiming to be exterminators or inspectors.
- Restricted areas should be guarded and visitors should not be allowed to enter.
- Do not leave passwords on paper.
- Be careful not to lose an office-issued phone or device.
- Always secure physical doors, locks, and so on, and keep them from malfunctioning.
