On average, each employee receives over 120 emails daily. When considering the entire workforce, the sheer volume of incoming emails can be staggering. Given this immense flow of electronic communication, email remains a primary cybersecurity threat. As your organization's information security and cybersecurity leader, it's crucial to comprehend and convey the fundamentals of email safety to all employees.
Engage in Ongoing Cybersecurity Education. Offer employees regular, compulsory cybersecurity training to better equip them against potential phishing campaigns. Ensure that the training is dynamic and covers new and emerging phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and viruses. Encourage employees to be cautious when clicking on links or opening attachments from unfamiliar sources, and to verify the sender before accessing any attachments.
Encourage Adherence to Best Practices. With the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work arrangements, employees often access their work emails after hours or on weekends. This can lead to non-business usage and potential security risks. Regularly communicate best practices, such as restricting personal email use, only accessing corporate email on approved devices, and refraining from transmitting sensitive information.
Implement a Multi-Layered Defense Strategy. While it's recommended to avoid public Wi-Fi, incorporating a VPN on employee devices can provide an additional layer of protection, both in everyday usage and while working remotely. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) further enhances your organization's cybersecurity. Additionally, remind employees to log out and secure their devices when not in use.
In summary, bolstering email safety within your organization relies on three key components: continuous cybersecurity education, reinforcement of best practices, and the establishment of a multi-layered defense system. These measures, when combined, significantly enhance the overall security of your organization's electronic communications.
About the Author
Doug King leads BrilliT with 20 years of experience in the energy industry. He has created security technology patents, provided security services for organizations ranging from 20 to 25,000 employees, and led response teams during ransomeware and compromise attacks.
The BrilliT team is here to help, and we look forward to serving as your data analytics, cybersecurity and IT experts. Reach out to us with questions!
