Cybersecurity Awareness: Protecting Your PSAP
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is more critical than ever before. As organizations rely on technology to carry out their daily operations, the potential risks associated with cyber threats are continuously increasing. However, despite better and better firewalls, encryption, multifactor authentication and a bunch of other things, people have been and remain the weakest link. Employees, if not properly educated and trained about the risks, can unknowingly open the door to the bad guys, putting sensitive data, company assets, and reputation at risk. This is why cybersecurity awareness for employees is crucial.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness
Your people are both your biggest targets and your most important line of defense. Cybercriminals often target individuals rather than systems, exploiting gaps in knowledge and trust. Phishing, for instance, is one of the most common types of attacks that rely on social engineering tactics to deceive employees into sharing confidential information or clicking on malicious links. With up to 95% of all breaches levering human error, employee training should be front and center in your security plans.
It Takes a Village Culture
When employees are aware of common threats and know how to identify them, they are better equipped to act responsibly and avoid costly mistakes. Oh look, salaries.xls from someone that claims to be from HR but their email address looks funny. Maybe I won’t click on that. Oh, a text from the CEO from an unfamiliar phone number asking for help with some gift cards? Hmmm…let’s send that one to the security team.
Cybersecurity awareness doesn’t just protect sensitive information; it helps build a security-conscious culture within an organization where everyone plays a role in maintaining a safe working environment.
Best Practices for Employee Cybersecurity Awareness
- Regular Training and Education
Cyber threats are always evolving and the bad actors behind them are constantly innovating, so it’s essential to provide ongoing, regularly updated training. Cybersecurity awareness programs should focus on common risks such as phishing, malware, ransomware, and social engineering. Training should be engaging and practical, teaching employees how to recognize suspicious emails, verify the authenticity of communications, and report potential threats to the IT team.
- Strong Password Policies
One of the most basic yet effective ways to ensure cybersecurity is encouraging strong password practices. Weak passwords are a common target for hackers, and employees should be trained to use complex passwords and change them regularly. Password managers can help employees maintain a secure list of credentials without the need for memorization.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to an employee’s login process. By requiring both a password and a second form of verification, such as a one-time code sent to a mobile device, the chances of unauthorized access to accounts are greatly reduced. Employees should be encouraged to enable 2FA wherever possible. Please note that in the wake of recent nation state sponsored breaches of telecommunications infrastructure that the FBI do NOT recommend using SMS for 2FA. Read that report here. And for more on Salt Typhoon, the China-affiliated threat actor that gained access to telecom networks, see here.
- Safe Browsing and Regular Updates
Employees should understand the risks of unsecured networks, especially when working remotely. They must be educated about the dangers of connecting to public Wi-Fi and using unsecured devices. Encouraging the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) helps. Additionally, keeping devices updated with the latest security patches and software updates is key to preventing attacks. No patch will help you avoid falling victim to a shiny new zero day, but regular patching might protect you from new but known threats.
- See Something, Say Something
Organizations should provide employees with clear instructions on how and when to report security incidents, and IT teams should be responsive and ensure all employees feel comfortable coming forward. When phishing mails hit one inbox, they are likely to hit others as well.
Building that Culture
Ultimately, building a culture of cybersecurity awareness is essential to the overall health of an organization’s security posture. Security is a participatory exercise and not a spectator sport. Leadership plays a significant role in this process by setting an example and making cybersecurity a priority. When employees see security taken seriously at the top, they are more likely to adopt secure practices themselves.
Security awareness, just like security itself, is not a destination but is instead an ongoing journey. By investing in training, implementing best practices, and building that security-aware culture, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of breach and ensure the protection of not only your PSAP but also the communities that it serves. In the battle against cybercrime, an informed and vigilant workforce is your strongest asset and the public you protect deserves nothing less.
Next Steps
With decades of experience in public safety systems and networks, Intrado is in a unique position to help you deploy and secure 911 and related systems. If you are running a PSAP but think you might need some help with security, including working with that most difficult part, the human bits, please contact us and we can discuss some options and figure out a path that works for you and your team.
Thanks for reading.
Intrado. Always there in an emergency.
