Let me ask you something: Do you lock your front door when you leave the house?
Of course, you do.
But imagine coming home to find a window left open. At that point, locking the door didn’t really matter, did it?
Now, think about your business. You’ve likely invested in strong cybersecurity—using solid passwords, firewalls, and the latest software updates. But if your employees unknowingly leave “windows” open, all that protection could be worthless.
This isn’t about blame; it’s about awareness. The reality is that your employees could be your biggest security risk without even realising it.
With remote work on the rise, more people are using their personal phones, tablets, and laptops for work. It’s convenient—why not use devices they already own? The problem is that personal devices often lack the same security standards as those in the office. Weak passwords, outdated software, and unprotected Wi-Fi connections make them an easy target for hackers.
And it gets worse. Research shows that two out of five employees admit to downloading customer data onto their personal devices. That’s sensitive business information, no longer protected by your security measures and now vulnerable to cyber threats.
If that’s not concerning enough, consider this: more than 65% of employees admit to only following cybersecurity rules occasionally—or never. That means forwarding work emails to personal accounts, using phones as Wi-Fi hotspots, or disregarding guidelines for handling data when using AI tools.
Passwords are another weak point. Nearly half of employees reuse the same password across multiple work accounts. Even more alarming, over a third use the same password for both personal and work accounts. Now, imagine a hacker gaining access to an employee’s social media account and using that same password to infiltrate your business systems. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
So, what’s the solution? Education.
Most security breaches aren’t intentional; they happen because employees don’t realise the risks. Small, seemingly harmless habits—like reusing passwords or working on public Wi-Fi—can have serious consequences. Helping your team understand the importance of cybersecurity is the first step.
Establish clear, simple rules that everyone can follow. Employees should use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for work accounts, access company systems only on approved devices, and never forward work emails to personal accounts. Regular training sessions will reinforce these habits and keep security top of mind. Recognising employees who take cybersecurity seriously—like those who report suspicious emails—can also help build a strong security culture.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. With the right tools and training, your employees can be your first line of defence instead of your weakest link.
If you need help keeping your team informed and protected against the latest security threats, get in touch.
