A human firewall, employees who adhere to the best cybersecurity procedures, is core to protecting a company from cyber threats, as they act as the first line of defense during a cyberattack.
“A human firewall creates an atmosphere of trust and support between people, making cybersecurity a shared duty as social engineering attacks increase in frequency. Well-prepared company employees could make a significant difference in the event of a security breach, reduction in fines, and repelling attacks,” says NordLayer’s cybersecurity expert Carlos Salas.
Outsmarting the system
Crime and intelligence analyst Mark T. Hofman explains that the new kind of cybercrime centres around professional and organised cybercriminals who attack not just for money but for the challenge of outsmarting the system.
“Cybercrime targets human error more than system flaws since it often exploits moments of inattention or bad luck. Cyber awareness across all levels of staff is key for organisational security. Anyone, even IT admins, can become the weakest link in a cyberattack. The right cybersecurity culture across the whole company is key to digital safety,” Hofman explains.
Strengthening the human firewall
As the modern hybrid workplace increases the likelihood of cyber threats, experts recommend awareness of third-party USB sticks, suspicious links, or email attachments. It is best to keep software updated and ensure the privacy and security of devices. Employees should also be careful of using public Wi-Fi without a trustworthy VPN app.