Cybersecurity training doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you run a small business, your employees don’t need to become IT experts—and neither do you. They just need to recognize common scams and know what to do when something doesn’t look right.
Simple cybersecurity training can focus on everyday tasks like:
- Opening emails
- Handling payments
- Responding to vendors
- Opening links in text messages
- Protecting customer information
Keep it brief
While annual trainings can offer significant support, spending a few minutes in staff meetings reviewing recent or known scams or reminding employees how to verify a payment request, for example, can reinforce cybersecurity efforts along the way.
Give real examples
Talk through situations your employees could actually face.
For example, what should they do if a vendor emails new banking information? What if the owner supposedly sends a text message asking them to buy gift cards? What makes an email look suspicious?
Make it OK to slow down
Many cyber scams tend to create a sense of urgency.
Remind employees that it’s OK to pause, ask questions and verify requests before sending money or sharing sensitive information. A quick phone call can help prevent an expensive mistake.
Lead by example
Owners and managers should follow the same cybersecurity habits they expect from employees. Doing so sends a clear message that protecting business is everyone’s responsibility.
It’s also a good time to review your cybersecurity practices, backup procedures and insurance coverage to help determine whether they still fit your business.
Think beyond technology
Good cybersecurity is about more than software—it’s also about helping the business you’ve worked so hard to build prepare for a cyberattack.
Reviewing your business insurance and cyber insurance[<a href=”[1]#Cyber-Suite'”>1] is one way to help prepare for covered cyber events. Depending on your policy and coverage, you may also have access to cybersecurity resources, employee trainings, risk assessments or planning tools that can help you assess and reduce certain cyber risks before a problem occurs.
Insurance coverage cannot prevent every disruption. But the right coverage may help protect your business against covered losses.
Talk with a local agent to review your business insurance.
