In other words, stronger defences aren’t just about technology. When employees are trained to protect your systems, they reinforce your existing security tools and help build a more resilient defence.
Why Your Employees Play a Key Role in Threat Prevention
Recent industry research shows that people remain one of the biggest risk factors in cybersecurity. For example, Proofpoint’s 2024 State of the Phish report found that 67% of Canadian employees admitted to risky behaviours, such as reusing passwords or clicking on unknown links, even though they understood the potential risks.
And it’s not just a Canadian issue. Similar findings appear across the Atlantic, where the same report showed that roughly 67% of employees in the UK knowingly click unsafe links or share credentials. These behaviours create easy openings for phishing, ransomware, and other cyber attacks, underscoring how widespread the problem really is.
The good news? It’s not all doom and gloom. Research shows that, on average, more than 30% of employees are susceptible to phishing before they receive any security training. But with ongoing education and simulated phishing exercises, that rate can drop by over 80% within a year. This demonstrates that training employees is a powerful way to strengthen your technical defences.
Still, the numbers highlight just how big the challenge is. Many employees have trouble spotting threats, and a large part of the workforce doesn’t get regular training. That’s why phishing success rates and breaches remain so high.
How to Equip Your Team to Stop Phishing and Ransomware
Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Training
Provide regular training sessions that keep employees up to date on the latest phishing tactics and ransomware trends, and make sure you follow these steps:
- Make training engaging and practical by using different strategies such as quizzes and scenario-based exercises.
- Share recent phishing or ransomware incidents relevant to your industry to make lessons relatable.
- Hold training sessions on a regular schedule to keep employees aware of the latest tactics.
- Provide checklists or reference guides that employees can use.
- Monitor participation and understanding to ensure employees retain the training and put it into practice effectively.
Run Simulated Phishing Exercises
Run controlled phishing simulations to see where your team might be vulnerable. These exercises help employees spot suspicious activity and give your IT team a clearer picture of where additional training is needed.
Use Strong Passwords
Promote the use of strong, unique passwords, and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Train employees on secure password storage and how to spot attempts to steal login credentials.
Limit the Sharing of Critical Information
Cyber criminals often piece together small bits of information to launch targeted attacks. Oversharing on social or professional networks can reveal details that make phishing and impersonation attempts more convincing.
Encourage employees to avoid posting anything related to their work, including workflows, roles, or job titles. Even seemingly harmless information can give attackers the context they need to guess passwords, bypass verification questions, or manipulate staff into sharing more.
Build a “Stop Before You Click” Culture
Effective security training works best when employees make awareness a routine part of their workday. By building a “Stop Before You Click” mindset, they can prevent mistakes that lead to phishing or ransomware attacks. Encourage employees to always:
- Confirm that the email or message is from a trusted source.
- Hover over links to see the full URL before clicking and avoid shortened or suspicious links.
- Only open attachments from verified sources and scan them with antivirus software when possible.
- Be alert to pressure tactics or urgent language designed to make them act without thinking.
- Check that the style and tone match previous legitimate messages from the sender.
Limit Access Permissions
Teach employees the importance of access controls and granting permissions strictly according to roles. This helps limit the potential damage if an account is ever compromised.
- Grant employees access only to the systems and data needed for their specific job responsibilities.
- Regularly audit access rights to make sure they match current responsibilities.
- Limit access to critical or confidential information to a small group of trusted personnel.
- Watch access logs for any unusual activity.
Provide Incident Response Guide
Provide employees with a clear, step-by-step incident response guide so they know exactly what to do if they encounter a suspected phishing email or ransomware attempt. The guide should cover how to safely isolate affected systems and who to contact within the IT or security team. Quick action by staff can help prevent an attack from spreading and reduce potential losses.
Empower your Staff to Stop Threats
Cyber threats such as phishing and ransomware are growing increasingly sophisticated. Even the most advanced defences can be bypassed, potentially causing operational disruptions.
At Data First Solutions, we help businesses strengthen their online security by providing targeted training so your team can easily identify and respond to threats. We also review and reinforce your existing security framework and response procedures. Get in touch with us today!
Article FAQs
What is the principle of least privilege, and why is it important?
The principle of least privilege means giving employees only the access they need for their specific roles. Limiting access helps reduce the impact if an account is compromised and prevents attackers from moving freely through your systems.
What are the most common signs of a phishing email?
Phishing emails often include urgent or threatening language, suspicious links or attachments, unusual sender addresses, and requests for sensitive information. Employees should always verify the source before taking action.
How does multi-factor authentication (MFA) help protect against attacks?
MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text code or authentication app. Even if a password is compromised, MFA makes it much harder for attackers to gain access.
Can simulated phishing exercises really change employee behaviour?
Yes. Regular, realistic phishing simulations help employees spot patterns, practice safe responses, and adopt secure habits. Over time, these exercises can significantly reduce the number of clicks on real phishing emails.
