What type of behaviors should security awareness training include?

Security awareness training is essential for educating employees about potential threats and how to recognize and respond to them. Training should specifically include content on unusual behavior and social engineering tactics because these are common methods that attackers use to manipulate individuals into granting access or divulging sensitive information.

Understanding unusual behavior, such as unexpected requests for information or suspicious actions by colleagues, helps employees remain vigilant and report potential security incidents. Social engineering tactics, which often exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, create a significant risk. Employees, being the first line of defense, must be equipped to recognize phishing emails, phone scams, and other manipulative strategies used by cybercriminals.

This focus on behaviors that could indicate a security threat fosters a proactive security culture within the organization, further reducing the likelihood of a security breach. The emphasis on recognizing these tactics is crucial since individuals are often the weak link in an organization’s security posture, making their training vital for effective cybersecurity defense.