The Majority Employees Don’t Know Best Cybersecurity Practices

The Majority Employees Don't Know Best Cybersecurity Practices

According to a new study, 70 percent of employees cannot grasp web security and privacy.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Oct 12, 2017

It should be no surprise by no that cyber threats are the top threats against companies these days. As established in the past, employees are your weakest links when it comes to cybersecurity and a recent study has only found more evidence to prove this is true.

The 2017 State of Privacy and Security Awareness Report surveyed over 1,000 workers in the United States and found that the vast majority of them lacked a basic understanding of how cybersecurity or digital privacy impacted their company. In the end, 70 percent of those who were surveyed failed when it came to security and best practices at work.

The 1,012 workers were given a 31 question survey and then, based on their answers, were given a ranking of Risk, Novice or Hero. Nineteen percent of the surveyed workers scored a 74 percent or below putting them in the “Risk” category. These individuals are described as those who are most likely to put their organization at risk for a privacy or security incident.

Fifty-one percent of the workers scored 77-94 percent on the survey and were categorized as “Novice” which “have a good understanding of the basics, but could stand to learn more.” These novices represent the majority of workers in the United States, and show that more training and constant information sharing on privacy techniques could go a long way to remind workers that one wrong move could change everything.

Fortunately, 30 percent of the workers scored in the “Hero” category. MediaPro, the leader of the survey, described these workers as “individuals who know their stuff, including how to identify and properly dispose of personal information, recognize phishing attempts and malware and keep information safe while working remotely.”

The good news is that MediaPro believes things are only looking up. Compared to the year before, there was a 3% increase in Risk employees, a 21 percent decrease in Novice employees and a 18 percent increase in Hero employees.

Only education can help companies now. Is your company working to ensure your employees are cybersecurity Heroes?

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.