Cybersecurity blunders due to human error: strategies for leaders to prevent unnecessary breaches
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, particularly phishing attempts, deepfakes, and unauthorized access. To combat these challenges, a multi-faceted strategy that combines technology, training, and policy measures is essential.
Phishing Prevention
A robust defense against phishing requires a combination of advanced technology and employee education. Utilising multi-layered anti-phishing technologies such as network-level phishing protection systems can block potential threats before they reach employees' devices. Providers like Cisco, Trellix (FireEye), Forcepoint, Mimecast, Proofpoint, and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offer such solutions, including cloud-based options suitable for small and medium businesses [1][3].
Employee education and awareness training are equally important. Training should help staff recognise phishing attempts, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and know how to report suspicious activity immediately [2][3][5]. Encouraging cautious behaviour, such as verifying email domains and links, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal or financial information, and never providing passwords via email or phone, can further bolster defenses [5]. Simulated phishing campaigns can strengthen employee readiness by providing practical exposure to potential phishing scenarios [1].
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enforcing MFA on all work accounts, especially cloud services and administrative systems, adds a layer of defense beyond passwords, significantly reducing the risk of credential theft and unauthorised access [2][4]. Integrating MFA with identity providers such as Okta can ensure strong authentication across systems [1]. Combining MFA with strong password policies that require complex and unique passwords, along with regular software updates to address vulnerabilities, provides a comprehensive approach to securing accounts [2][4][5].
Deepfake and Advanced Social Engineering Mitigation
Combating deepfakes involves heightened employee skepticism, authentication procedures, and awareness training that emphasises verifying identity through multiple channels before transferring funds or sharing sensitive information. Deploying behavioural analytics and monitoring tools can help detect unusual patterns and possible insider threats, which can help identify fraudulent communications or impersonations linked to deepfake attacks [4]. Implementing strict access control policies based on least privilege principles and adopting zero-trust frameworks can further enhance security [4].
General Best Practices
Applying the principle of least privilege ensures that employees only access the data necessary for their roles, reducing potential damage from compromised accounts or insider threats [2][4]. Regular system monitoring and incident response readiness enable quick detection and mitigation of suspicious activities [2][4]. Eliminating dormant accounts and monitoring for inactive or orphaned accounts can reduce attack surfaces [4]. Keeping software and security systems updated to patch known vulnerabilities is also crucial [2][5].
By combining these approaches—advanced technical defenses, mandatory MFA, continuous employee education, and strict access management—businesses can robustly reduce human error in cybersecurity and enhance overall secure practices against phishing, deepfakes, and unauthorised access threats [1][2][3][4][5].
It's important to note that many security breaches are caused by businesses not getting the basics right, such as not implementing multi-factor authentication, failing to adhere to password policies, re-using the same credentials across different systems, and not mitigating against known vulnerabilities by deploying patches in a timely manner. Establishing quarterly cybersecurity training sessions, reminding staff that the senior leadership team would never ask them to bypass processes, and fostering a security-aware culture where employees feel empowered to report suspicious activity without fear of blame are all key aspects of an effective cybersecurity strategy. Accountability for security breaches lies with the business itself, rather than with the employee making the mistake, according to experts. Blaming "user behavior" as the biggest cybersecurity challenge is considered a convenient but lazy narrative that shifts focus away from the root causes of risky actions.
Cybersecurity education plays a crucial role in strengthening defenses against phishing attempts and other cyber threats, as employee awareness and training can help recognize potential risks and adopt cautious behavior.}[2][3][5]
To further secure work accounts and reduce the risk of unauthorized access, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and complex password policies that comply with regular software updates is recommended. Enforcing MFA across all work accounts, especially cloud services and administrative systems, adds an essential layer of protection beyond simple passwords.][2][4]
