Are Your Employees Your Biggest Security Risk?
Let me ask you something. Do you lock your front door when you leave the house?
Of course you do.
But what if someone left a window open? Suddenly, all that security means nothing.
Now, think about your business.
You have likely invested in strong passwords, firewalls, and the latest security updates to protect it. But if employees accidentally leave windows open by using weak passwords, ignoring security rules, or working on unsecured devices, all that protection goes to waste.
It Is Not About Blame. It Is About Awareness
With more people working remotely, security risks have grown. Research shows that four out of five employees use personal devices for work. It is convenient but often insecure.
Personal devices typically lack workplace security measures, leaving them vulnerable to:
- Weak passwords that are easy to crack
- Outdated software with unpatched security flaws
- Unprotected Wi-Fi networks that hackers can exploit
And it gets worse.
- Two out of five employees admit to downloading customer data onto personal devices, putting sensitive information at risk
- More than 65 percent admit they only follow cyber security rules sometimes or never, including forwarding work emails to personal accounts and using unsecured hotspots
- Nearly half use the same passwords across multiple work accounts, and a third use the same password for both work and personal accounts
Imagine a hacker gaining access to an employee’s social media, then using the same password to breach your business systems. It is a security disaster waiting to happen.
How to Strengthen Your Business Security
The solution is not just better technology. It is better education. Employees do not ignore security rules out of defiance. They simply do not realise the risks.
Start by implementing clear and simple security guidelines that everyone can follow:
- Use a password manager to create strong and unique passwords for each work account
- Only access work systems on secure and company approved devices
- Never forward work emails to personal accounts
Regular cyber security training is crucial. Make it engaging, keep it up to date, and celebrate employees who demonstrate good security habits, like flagging phishing emails or suggesting ways to protect sensitive data.
Cyber Security is Everyone’s Responsibility
With the right tools and training, your employees can be your first line of defense, not your weakest link.
Want to strengthen your business security? Get in touch today.
