If you’ve watched any sci-fi movies, like I, Robot or the Terminator series, you probably understand the perceived dangers of the digital world.  Primarily the unrealistic dangers of artificial intelligence.  Now, I’m not saying that AI won’t be a threat in the future but it’s important to note that right now the people using the Internet pose a much bigger threat than an incoming Robo-Apocalypse.  And I’m not just talking about cybercriminals. Regular, everyday human error is what poses the most dangerous threat to your cybersecurity.

watch a short video >  https://youtu.be/cpCBJvDUYx0

As many as 95% of IT security breaches are caused by human error. 

Don’t believe me? Well then, let’s take a quick look…

• If you or one of your employees is involved in a data breach that happens to a large cloud provider or website and the compromised password happens to be used across multiple accounts, that could give cybercriminals access to your whole network of data including employee W2’s and customer billing information.
• If just one person isn’t paying enough attention to their email and falls for a phishing scam, it could expose you or your company to a data breach or ransomware attack. Something like that could shut down your company for days or even weeks. Think about how much that could cost you in revenue and reputation. The average cost of a data breach has now jumped to $4.24 million.
• A photo posted to social media that wasn’t well considered before posting with PII (Personal Identifiable Information) or PHI (Personal Health Information) visible in the frame could lead to a data breach or a HIPAA violation. You don’t want a poorly timed selfie to be the reason you have to deal with an onslaught of lawsuits.
• Something as simple as a lost phone could be fatal for your IT security if that employee used their personal phone for work. A hacker could use that hardware to break into your integral systems that hold employee and customer data. Imagine that nightmare!

A global survey of over ten thousand employees found that 55% of them use their personal smartphone or laptop for work data.

Key Causes of Human Error in Cybersecurity

What are some of the reasons that human error is such a big driver for ransomware infections, cloud account breaches, and other IT security incidents?

Lack of Employee Training

One reason for human error is the lack of employee training. Just giving your employees a cybersecurity sheet when they first get hired or doing an annual 1-hour training session, is not going to be enough to develop a culture of IT security.

It’s important to conduct ongoing security awareness training in various ways. For example, a training video reminding an employee to use strong passwords can take them just 5 minutes to view during the day.

Putting a “Cyber Tip of the Week” in your company newsletter or communications can also keep IT security top of mind.

Lackadaisical Approach

According to the 2021 Sophos Threat Report, one of the biggest causes of major cybersecurity incidents is a lack of adherence to the basics of good IT security.

The report states, “A lack of attention to one or more aspects of basic security hygiene has been found to be at the root cause of many of the most damaging attacks we’ve investigated.”

It’s important to start with a foundation of cybersecurity basics with the help of a trusted IT pro, like Magnify247. You also want to use a cybersecurity program that makes it easy to keep up with your IT security enforcement and provides you with cues for items to address when things may be going off track. 

Unaware Where Risks Are

Another reason for human error is that companies are unaware of where risks are in their networks, thus they don’t take the precautions necessary to prevent attacks.

Things like misconfiguring your Microsoft 365 security settings or not updating your router firmware are seemingly small mistakes that can lead to major breaches that cost tens of thousands of dollars.

All these missteps are unintentional, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plan ahead for them. Make sure that you’re giving your staff proper cybersecurity training and making your digital policies well-known. Be an active participant in making sure no one falls for scams. 

Luckily for you, Magnify247 has your back!

Talk to a Human CyberPro!

We invite you to schedule a 30-minute comprehensive annual review of your tech and security… we will also discuss the cost of human error when it comes to cybersecurity. 

NOTE:  This consultation is free for all Annual Support subscribers, but has a small nominal charge for non-subscribers.

Click here * >  https://www.magnify247.com/customer-intake-form/  to learn more or to schedule this review and learn simple steps that will put you on a path to robust and reliable tech as well as less human error and stronger cybersecurity!