Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 12:34 am
Companies are investing lots of resources into cybersecurity, fraud detection, and risk management. This is a critical step because it helps repel threats and secure your business from malicious elements. However, you’d be surprised to learn that most security risks arise from internal rather than external sources. Poor employee training, inadequate record keeping, and lack of proper surveillance are leading causes of security threats in businesses.
Teams, departments, and groups are the workhorses of any organisation. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable chunks across the company, you can make significant progress while saving resources. Unfortunately, such teams can become vulnerable targets for security attacks. From phishing to data loss during collaboration, teams can easily become liabilities during daily operations.
As a team leader, one of your top priorities should be to champion high standards of security. So how can you transform your team from a liability into a security asset? Read on to find out.
How To Implement A Culture Of Security For Your Team
Regardless of how strong your cybersecurity plan is, you’ll need to develop a culture of security among all employees. Indeed, your workers will determine how effective your business is at remaining secure from numerous threats. Most companies invest in the latest IT infrastructure, data encryption protocols, and firewalls- only to end up falling victim to an attack because of an employee error.
Teams have the added responsibility of ensuring that all their members are up to speed with critical security practices. This starts with implementing a strong culture of security- and the following steps can help you get started.
- Regular Training
Regular training is the best way of ensuring that your employees are prepared to identify, respond to, and mitigate risks. Because cyber attackers are constantly using new techniques to by-pass security features, your employees will need to remain updated on the most recent threats facing the company. For example, team members who can pick out a phishing attack will protect your systems from malware and ransomware.
Train your employees on how to single out malicious links, attachments, and email senders. By making training an on-going process, you’ll be able to encourage a culture of high security standards. However, training can sometimes feel cliché for team members. This is why you should consider spicing up the training process. Evaluate team members on performance and provide rewards for those who meet and exceed expectations. You should also be prepared to support those who are struggling to keep up with training guidelines.
- A Culture Of Accountability
A common reason why employees become security weak links is that they don’t view themselves as playing an important role when protecting the business. Even if your team doesn’t carry out IT functions, every employee within the company has a critical role to play in securing the business. Workers should hold themselves personally accountable for security plans.
As a team leader, you can establish accountability by making it part of an employee’s responsibilities- and reminding your team members of the important role they play when it comes to identifying and repelling data security threats.
- Pushing For Higher Security Standards
You can also make your team a security asset by instilling passion and advocacy for high security standards. This means making employees champions of corporate security within their specific roles. For example, if your team handles credit card payments and processing, an employee within your group may propose that all credit card data be encrypted using a more recent protocol.
Employees are on the frontlines when it comes to data security, and their insights are valuable tools that you can use to seal any potential loopholes within the organisation. Ideally, your goal should be to motivate all employees to become security advocates. They should identify deficiencies in daily operations, alert key decision-makers, and remind them why it’s important to act quickly when it comes to security threats. Passionate employees can make a big difference in your team and the overall state of your company’s operations.
Practical Steps You Can Take To Ensure Team Security
There are many strategies you can implement to establish a culture of security in your business. Training, establishing accountability, and advocating for higher security standards are all milestones that you should aim towards reaching. But how can you get there as a team and as a business?
Here are some practical steps you should implement that will create a pathway towards team security.
- Use Relevant Technologies
Technology is your best friend when it comes to securing your company’s data. You can apply such solutions on a large scale (such as across the entire business) and on a small-scale basis (within your team). For example, tracking technologies such as sales, inventory, and time-clock tracking can help you monitor employee performance and cover up weak links.
Data analysis tools are also valuable assets for enhancing security. By using these platforms to analyse previous data and predict future outcomes, you’ll be able to take a proactive approach when identifying security loopholes. Data-driven insights also help you prepare employee training programs so as to focus efforts in the right places.
- Take Preventative Fraud Measures
Fraud is a common data security threat among teams that process credit card information (or other personally identifiable information). You can prevent fraud by complying with appropriate data security standards such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and CCPA.
In the case of PCI and credit card information, make sure you limit the amount of credit card data stored in your systems. You should also maintain detailed records, encrypt sensitive data, and implement an access control plan to prevent unauthorised access to information. These steps will ensure that your team doesn’t become a weak link to company security.
- Optimise Daily Business Practices
Most security threats also occur due to a lapse in daily business protocols. Simple activities such as strong passwords, setting up alarm systems, using surveillance cameras, and keeping track of company equipment can go a long way towards ensuring that your team upholds proper security standards.
