12 Important Cybersecurity Training Topics for 2023

1) Phishing attacks

Phishing is still one of the most powerful ways for cybercriminals to attack. With increasing by HTML2_ in 2020 and phishing attacks on the rise throughout 2021, it’s becoming harder to protect your users from falling prey to these attacks.

Why is phishing still a threat to businesses in 2022, however?

These types of attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Hackers are tricking employees into downloading malicious attachments or compromising sensitive data.

Business Email Compromise (BEC), a form of phishing that relies on prior research on an individual (e.g. a senior executive at a company) to create an attack that is difficult to differentiate from real emails.

These more sophisticated attacks are paired with the misconception that phishing can be ‘easily detected,’ It is easy to see why so many businesses are expected to experience phishing-related breaches in 2022.

Employees should be trained on how to spot modern phishing attacks and report them as soon as they suspect they are being targeted.

2) Removable Media

Companies also use removable media as a security topic. The portable storage medium known as removable media allows users to copy data onto the device, then move it to another device or vice versa. End-users can leave malware-infected USB devices in their devices.

“Researchers dropped almost 300 USB sticks at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign campus. These drives were picked up by 98%! Additionally, 45% were picked up by individuals who clicked on the files found within.”

You need to make sure your employees are aware of the risks and how they can use them safely and responsibly within your company. There are many reasons why a company might choose to use removable media within their business environment. There will always be risks with any technology. Your employees must protect the data stored on these devices and the devices. All data, whether personal or corporate, has some value.

Here are some common examples of removable media that you and your employees could use at work:

• Sticky USB
• SD cards
• CDs
• Smartphones

This topic of security awareness should be covered in your training. It should include examples of removable media and why it is used in businesses, also how employees can protect themselves from malware infections, lost or stolen removable media, and copyright infringement.

3) Passwords and authentication

Password security is a simple yet often overlooked element that can improve your company’s security. Malicious actors will attempt to guess passwords that are often used to gain access to your accounts. Cybercriminals can easily access large numbers of accounts by using simple passwords or recognizable password patterns that employees can remember. This information can be made public and sold on the dark web if it is stolen.

Randomized passwords can make it more difficult for malicious actors to access accounts. Two-factor authentication provides additional security to protect the account’s integrity.

4) Physical Security

You might want to get rid of passwords written on sticky notes and left on your desk. While digital attacks are more common than ever, securing sensitive documents in physical form is important to protect your company’s security system.

Security risks can be reduced by simply being aware of the dangers of leaving documents, unattended computers, and passwords in your office or home. Implementing a clean desk policy can significantly reduce the risk of papers left alone being copied or stolen.

5) Mobile Device Security

With the changing landscape of IT technology, flexible working environments have become more possible. However, security threats are becoming more sophisticated. This increased connectivity has led to security breaches as many people can now work from anywhere using their mobile devices. This can be a cost-saving option for smaller businesses. However, the user-device accountability aspect of training 2022 will become more critical, especially for remote workers or those who travel. Mobile phones with malware on them have become more common, leading to security breaches.

Employees can learn best practices online through free courses and do not require high-cost security protocols. In case of theft or loss, sensitive information on mobile devices should be password-protected, encrypted, or with biometric authentication. Employees who use personal devices must be trained in safe usage.

The best community practice requires all workers to sign a mobile security policy.

6) Remote Working

Due to the growing demand, many companies are moving towards remote work in 2021. Remote working can be a positive thing for companies. It empowers employees and promotes greater productivity and work-life balance. Remote working can pose a greater risk of security breaches if employees are not properly educated about the potential dangers. If personal devices are being used for work purposes, they should be locked and protected from unattended. Companies that educate remote workers on safe working practices should offer this incentive.

This trend is expected to continue into 2022. Although we expect offices to reopen and regular working hours to return, remote workers, are becoming more common in companies. Those who have adapted well to the WFH lifestyle might prefer to work remotely. Employees need to be trained to manage and understand their cybersecurity. These individuals are increasingly at risk, as we have seen. They must be secure in 2022.

7) Public Wi-Fi

Employees who work remotely or travel on trains may require additional training to use public Wi-Fi safely. Fake Wi-Fi networks often offered in coffee shops can make end-users vulnerable to leaking information to non-secure public servers.

Your users will be more aware of the dangers and how to spot them. The WIRED magazine offers a valuable guide to avoiding public Wi-Fi.

8) Cloud Security

Cloud computing has changed the way businesses store and access data. Although these digital applications have the potential to transform businesses, large quantities of private data stored remotely can lead to large-scale hacks. Cloud storage is a safer and more cost-effective option for storing company data than many large companies.

Like the other topics, insider hacking poses a more significant threat to cloud companies than large-scale ones. Gartner predicts that 99 percent of all cloud security incidents will be attributable to the end-user by next year. Cyber security awareness training is a great way to help employees securely use cloud-based apps.

9) Use of social media

Social media is a great way to share a lot of your life, from holidays to work and events. Oversharing can make sensitive information easily accessible, making it easier for malicious actors to pose as trusted sources.

Employees can be educated on protecting their privacy settings and preventing the spread of public information about their company. This will help reduce hackers’ risk of gaining leverage from your network.

10) Internet and email use

Employees may have been exposed to data breaches by repeating or simple emails for multiple accounts. A study showed that 59% of end-users used the same password to access all accounts. Hackers can access all information by using the password to compromise one account, including social media and work accounts.

Many websites offer malware-infected software for free. Downloading applications only from trusted sources is the best way of protecting your computer against any malicious software. Although some people may not see it as important, it is essential for any IT induction.

In recent years, many large websites suffered data breaches that were large. If your personal information was entered into these sites, it could have been made public and your private information exposed.

11) Social engineering

Social engineering is a popular technique used by malicious actors to gain employees’ trust. They offer valuable lures and impersonate others to gain access to personal information. To combat these threats, employees must be taught security awareness topics that include the most prevalent social engineering techniques and the psychology of influence (for example, scarcity urgency and reciprocity).

Private information can be unwittingly given to malicious actors by pretending to be clients or offering incentives. It is important to raise awareness among employees about the danger of social engineering.

12) Security at Home

Unfortunately, malicious actors are not only a threat to your workplace. While this is a cost-saving and flexible option that allows employees to work from home, it does come with risks. If malware is accidentally downloaded to personal devices, it can compromise the integrity of the company’s network.

Furthermore, the growing digital resources available for workers and companies have increased productivity and connectivity. These applications pose a risk to users. A study showed that dropbox phishing campaigns had a 13.6% click-through rate. The risk can be reduced by increasing employee knowledge, sharing encrypted files, and authenticating downloaded files.