Just 17% of Employers have given staff basic Cyber Security Training

Employers are being urged to introduce security awareness training as the DCMS report finds many firms aren’t training their staff on cyber security basics.

The Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey reported that just 17% of businesses train staff on cyber security, and only 19% have tested their staff response to cyber incidents.

The report is an influential research study for UK cyber resilience, aligning with the National Cyber Strategy, which found the average annual cost for a business is £4,200 for lost data or assets after breaches (for medium and large businesses, the figure rises to £19,400).

You must keep your business secure by implementing cyber security, password, social media (and working from home) policies and regular security awareness training with your workforce.

The report found that whilst many firms (45%) allow staff to use personal devices when working from home during the pandemic, just 36% of firms have a form of cyber security policy, and only 19% of businesses have a formal incident response plan

With resources continuing to be stretched after such a hectic last 2 years, just 34% have business continuity plans that mention cyber security and only 17% have completed an audit of their cyber security vulnerabilities.

Business in Greater Manchester can train their staff for free with the Cyber Resilience Centre's fully-funded Business Resilience Program.

Whilst basic knowledge of cyber security should be expected from all your employees, it’s important to implement your own cyber security training. You should increase the level of training with specific guidance for your industry. You must implement security training when onboarding new starters and follow this up throughout your employee’s lifecycle.

The most common breaches or attacks against your employees are phishing emails and hackers impersonating your organisation or senior staff members.

The Cyber Resilience Centre can offer your staff security awareness training to provide simple and effective knowledge so your staff understand their environment and give them the confidence to challenge when something doesn’t look right.

Ready to prepare your staff with security awareness training? Contact us today to learn more.