Don’t take risks

Arm yourself with the latest resources through cyber awareness training & micro-learning for your remote team.

 

It seems that every day, our work environment continues to get more dependent on technology. For example, just take a look at your office computer screen and notice all the apps you need to run your job from one central location. As more employees find themselves working remotely, and with such easy access to information utilizing the Internet from home, cyberattacks have become a significant concern. Cyber Awareness Training is a tool that can help reduce this risk by teaching employees about how phishing scams work, what they need to look out for when using social media at work, and other important topics related to cybersecurity. It’s time for your business to implement Computer-Based Cyber Awareness Training!

 

What is cyber awareness training, and why should you care about it?

Cyber Awareness Training is a cost-effective way to protect against cyber attacks. Implementing Computer-Based Cyber Awareness Training can help reduce the risk that your company will be hacked or have its data breached. It also helps keep up with compliance standards and protects the intellectual property, the uptime of your computer systems, and your client data.

Let’s face it, Cyber Attacks have exploded over the last 15 months during the pandemic, and the move to a remote workforce has increased the attack surface significantly. Over the last 5 months, we’ve heard about the SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack; we’ve also heard about the cyber threats to critical infrastructure and the computer network of Colonial Pipeline as an example.

Many of the newly revised compliance requirements and the official government organization CISA and the United States Department of Defense have mandated Cyber Awareness Programs as part of the new vendor risk management program with the new CMMC requirements and FTC Safeguard Rules.

The fact is, Cyber Awareness Training has become essential for all businesses in the private sector and public sector (State, Local, and Federal government), but not many companies have implemented it. Some of the reasons it hasn’t been implemented are because it’s not a high priority or because employees are resistant to the idea.

Research shows that organizations that use Computer Based Cyber Awareness Training see ROI as high as 400% because it trains employees to quickly identify phishing scams and other cyber attacks with the threat level they pose before opening any attachments or clicking on a malicious link in a spear-phishing email.

Cyber Awareness Training doesn’t have to be done during working hours – in fact, it can take place outside of work and on company time with the use of micro-learning.

 

Why micro-learning is the best way to get your remote workforce up-to-date on security, privacy, and legal issues.

The micro-learning technique encourages employees to learn cybersecurity information in easy-to-understand short bits that are simple to recall later. Instead of taking employees away from their jobs for hours or days at a time with a fire hose full of information they soon forget, micro-learning sessions are easy to digest. They can become a convenient part of an employee’s regular routine.

 

Can I teach myself cyber security?

Technically, yes – you can teach yourself cyber security. However, it will likely be more complicated than if you go through a formal training program. SANS Institute, for example, offers several certification programs that can give you the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful cybersecurity professional. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of going the self-study route. First, social engineering is a big part of many cyber attacks. This means that simply knowing the technical details of how to secure systems isn’t enough – you also need to be aware of the ways that attackers can trick people into giving them access. Second, cyber awareness training is another essential element of successful defense against attacks. This type of training covers topics like proper password management and how to spot suspicious emails. Finally, self-study can be difficult and time-consuming. Be prepared to put in a lot of work if you want to teach yourself cyber security.

 

What should be included in security training?

A security awareness training program should provide employees with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves and their organization from security threats. The program should cover a variety of topics, including how to identify security risks, how to report suspicious activity, and what to do in the event of a security breach. Regulatory training is also essential, as it ensures that employees understand and follow security policies and procedures. Finally, security training should be ongoing and reinforce positive security behaviors through methods such as rewards and recognition. By taking these steps, organizations can ensure that their employees are better equipped to protect themselves and their work environments from security threats.

 

What is the most crucial security awareness training topic?

CEO fraud is one of the most critical security awareness training topics. CEO fraud occurs when an attacker poses as a high-ranking executive in order to trick employees into transferring money or sensitive information, and this type of attack can be challenging to detect, as the attackers often do their homework to make their emails seem legitimate.

Phishing attacks are another important topic for security awareness training. Phishing attacks occur when attackers send emails that appear to be from a trusted source in order to trick the recipient into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. These links and attachments often contain malware that can allow the attacker to gain access to the victim’s system.

Cyber hygiene is another important topic for security awareness training. Cyber hygiene refers to the practices and procedures that individuals can follow to protect themselves from online threats. Good cyber hygiene includes practices such as using strong passwords and avoiding clicking on links from unknown sources. By covering these topics in security awareness training, employees can be better prepared to defend against these threats.

 

How long is security awareness training?

Most cyber awareness training programs are delivered in a micro-learning format, consisting of 5-minute course content modules. This allows employees to easily digest the material and quickly apply it to their everyday work tasks. However, the total length of the training will vary depending on the number of modules selected by the organization. For example, a typical cyber awareness training program might consist of 10 modules for a total length of 50 minutes. However, some organizations may choose to include additional modules on specific topics, resulting in a more extended training program. Ultimately, the length of security awareness training will depend on the needs of the organization and the employees being trained.

 

Is security awareness training mandatory?

In today’s digital world, cyber security awareness training is more important than ever. With the number of cyber attacks increasing every year, it’s crucial for businesses to educate their employees about how to protect themselves and their company’s data. While some businesses require their employees to complete cyber awareness training on a regular basis, others offer on-demand courses that can be taken at the employee’s convenience.

The content of cyber security awareness training varies depending on the provider, but most courses cover topics such as password security, phishing scams, and social engineering. In addition to learning about these threats, employees also have the opportunity to practice identifying and responding to them. This hands-on approach helps employees to better remember the material and apply it in real-world scenarios.

There are many benefits of cyber security awareness training, both for businesses and employees. In addition to reducing the risk of a cyber attack, it can also help to improve employee morale and retention. Regular training can also help businesses to stay up-to-date on the latest cyber attacks and ensure that their employees are prepared to handle them.

 

Importance of Compliance Training

With the ever-changing landscape of regulations, it is more important than ever for companies to provide compliance training to their employees. Compliance training helps employees understand the compliance requirements of their job and how to comply with them. There are many compliance training programs available, but not all of them are effective. A good compliance training program should be engaging and interactive, and it should be updated regularly to reflect changes in regulations. Micro-learning and on-demand training are two delivery methods that can help make compliance training more effective. Micro-learning breaks down complex topics into small, manageable pieces. On-demand training allows employees to access the training when they need it rather than waiting for a scheduled session. Both of these delivery methods can help ensure that employees are able to retain the information from the compliance training and apply it to their job.

 

What is micro-learning?

Micro-learning is a solution that has a lot of benefits. It can help in regulations and compliance, it can change behavior, it can be used to teach lessons or transfer skills, and it can even be used for a wide array of different purposes. Micro-learning solutions are usually shorter and more focused than traditional solutions, making them easier and less expensive to create and implement. In addition, micro-learning solutions are often more engaging and effective than traditional solutions, making them a popular choice for both businesses and individuals. While there are many benefits to micro-learning, it is important to note that the format is not without its drawbacks. For example, micro-learning solutions can be difficult to scale, and they may not be appropriate for all learners. However, when appropriately used, micro-learning can be an extremely powerful tool.

 

Key Takeaways

• Learning is presented in short courses and sessions.
• Each course and session is narrowly focused.
• Accessing the course is convenient and frictionless.
• Each course has a clear and practical application.
• A performance-based measuring system gauges improvement.
• It must drive a culture of ongoing learning.

Micro-learning is optimized for retention, specifically how the brain learns about things that may need to be recalled later on, unexpectedly, and under stressful conditions. That makes micro-learning ideal for security awareness education. Micro-learning ensures employees will recognize and be prepared to respond to the signs of attempted attack months or years after their training, even when they’re fully engaged in their day-to-day work.

 

How to implement a successful micro-learning strategy for your business

• Cyber security experts report 85% of data breaches result from social engineering attacks and human error; employees are continuously targeted by cybercriminals. Potential threats and bad actors increasingly show up in your email, call on the phone, and find other methods to get in direct contact.
• The first step is to understand the challenges of cyberattacks and determine how prevalent they are in your industry.
• Next, you need to create an action plan that identifies what resources you will need before moving forward with the implementation strategy. Make a list of the existing cybersecurity knowledge of your employees and decide what you should train them on.
• Knowing what your employees know and don’t know is the key to success for your organization.
• After training, you need to have a plan for ongoing education because cyberattacks never stop coming, and neither should your knowledge of them. Cyber awareness training can be done in short bursts, so it won’t seem like an interruption when people are on the job.
• The benefits of using a dedicated platform for delivering content .
• All too often, employees are considered the problem or the weakest link and get blamed for being unprepared and falling for a clever attack. Rarely do businesses look at the bigger picture and evaluate whether their training tools are effectively educating and preparing people for the threats they may encounter. Security awareness training tools are not all the same. The methodology, strategies, and development behind them can have a significant impact on the results they produce.

A holistic, skills-based approach that incorporates short-session learning techniques is proven to lead to the best results. Cybersecurity training should be interactive and engaging and employ game-based elements to make learning fun. Short sessions that teach one or two skills at a time are more effective than long monotonous lectures.

Micro-learning is an emerging approach for delivering content in short, focused bursts of information over the course of days or weeks rather than a single class or an annual approach to training. Deploying an effective platform for Cyber Security Awareness Training is critical to reducing cyber threats and risks to your organization. It allows you to automate your testing and employee evaluation process, develop a way to show the impact of Cyber Awareness Training, and monitor your team’s progress.

 

How do I access NCX Group Cybersecurity training?

NCX Group Cybersecurity training can be accessed by signing up for a free trial on the NCX Group website. The training is designed to enable organizations to educate their employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices. The course consists of interactive modules that cover topics such as email security, social engineering, and password management. After completing the training, employees will be able to better identify and protect against potential cyber threats. Additionally, they will be better equipped to safeguard sensitive data and maintain a secure online presence. By equipping employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to stay safe online, NCX Group Cybersecurity training can help organizations reduce their exposure to cyber risks.

 

Some of the NCX Group Cyber Awareness Training Platform Benefits

NCX offers a security awareness training program that is beneficial to both organizations and educating employees. For organizations, the program provides an easy way to educate employees about cybersecurity skills and best practices. The platform is also customizable so that organizations can tailor the training to their specific needs. For individuals, the program offers a convenient way to learn about cybersecurity and improve their cybersecurity skills. The NCX Group Training platform provides access to a variety of resources, including articles, videos, and adaptive testing. In addition, the program offers certification options for those who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and real-world skills. By offering both organization-specific and employee-focused benefits, NCX Group provides a comprehensive solution for security awareness training.

• Deliver appealing and relevant security awareness training
• Our security awareness solution suits companies of all sizes and features highly engaging content based on real-world incidents.
• Our powerful LMS uses dynamic enrollment, continuous risk assessment, engagement, and knowledge testing to deliver accurate results.

 

Perform regular spear phishing simulations

Our phishing campaigns highlight email phishing risks and train staff on how to avoid them. Send practical simulations to your team to prepare for the email scams targeting your business.

Phishing simulations allow staff to experience the methods hackers use in a safe and constructive way. Using our monthly phishing campaigns, we’ve seen an average 80% reduction in risk from baseline readings within only eight months!

 

Additional Benefits of the NCX Group Cyber Awareness Training Platform

Real World Templates

• Use the same templates that hackers are using. Choose from our extensive library of phishing templates, which is regularly updated to mimic current threats.

Measure Risk Reduction

• With monthly campaign and training reporting, NCX Group provides a concise breakdown of each phishing simulation and the staff/departments that are at risk.

Advanced Tracking

• Our advanced tracking engine provides accurate reporting on all unsafe opens, clicks, replies, and downloads made within our phishing simulations.

Detailed Campaign Reporting

• Access reporting that provides insights and action points based on campaign results. Drill down into specific reports and export data as you see fit for presentations and board meetings.

Quality Over Quantity

• Stop sending out generic phishing content. Our campaigns use industry-specific spear-phishing content that emulates real-world scenarios and prepares you for realistic attacks. The NCX Group micro-learning approach will improve your internal threat intelligence.

Build a Cyber-Resilient Culture

• NCX Group provides regular and relevant phishing simulations to foster a supportive and engaging cyber-resilient culture.

Today’s Cyber Threat, Computer Networks, Users, and Final Thoughts

Organizations everywhere struggle to reduce the risk of cyberattacks—especially attacks targeting their employees.

Every day, highly motivated threat actors set their sights on employees who are unprepared to defend themselves. Instead of seeing employees as teachable, contributing members of a united front against cyber risk (and social engineers), employers often dismiss them as untrainable or as an unsolvable part of the risk equation.

NCX Group believes that you can prepare and equip your employees to reduce cyber risk when their awareness training program is built on micro-learning and overseen by awareness experts. Micro-learning ensures that employees are regularly informed about the latest threats and how to stop them at the point of attack.

Awareness coaching provides expertise and guidance to security teams looking to mature their awareness program, sustain new, long-term employee behavior, and foster a culture of security within their organization.
Here’s the bottom line, if you are a business of any size that relies on the internet for your connectivity, operations, customer service, and productivity, this article is informing you of how cyber awareness training and micro-learning help to make sure that your employees can keep their work and personal information safe, and see in real-time those subtle indicators that can secure your network and stay safely connected.

Cyber awareness training is essential because it helps people understand what they need in order to maintain security in today’s digital world.

At NCX Group, we offer micro-learning courses, so you don’t have to worry about spending hours reading through manuals or watching long videos – we break down all of the info into bite-size chunks with interactive quizzes at the end of each module!

So, if you’re looking for an easy way to get started implementing cyber awareness training throughout your company, give our free trial a try! You’ll be glad you did.

 

Photo courtesy of corgarashu