While the most sensational headlines involve infiltrating ironclad security systems, the truth of how hackers penetrate your system is more boring: it is your employees. The overwhelming majority of breaches today can be traced back directly to employee negligence.
How bad is it?
In a Netwrix study, 100 percent of IT workers in government think employees are the biggest threat to cybersecurity. In 2016, 57 percent of security incidents in government were caused by human error. IBM's 2016 Cyber Security Intelligence Index found 60 percent of cyber-attacks were caused by insiders, 75 percent of those with malicious intent.
A problematic infrastructure
75 percent of IT employees in government reported an overworked IT team was left to deal with security. 57 percent did not have time to implement stronger security measures. 54 percent cited too small of a budget.
Four tips for a more secure workforce
- Win over the C-suite. Large scale change requires backing from company executives.
- Foster a cyber-aware culture. Begin training during onboarding, conduct evaluations, designate advocates.
- Incentivise. Reward calling out vulnerabilities.
- Connect office security to home security. Drive home how non-work life can be impacted.
Originally published 26 October 2017. Migrated to the new IRC site in 2026.