Key Tips to Develop a Security Culture in Your Company
Nowadays, take a look at any newspaper and you will realize how vulnerable your company is to security and data breaches. Moreover, we don’t have enough protection against the corporate thefts to keep pace with the threat landscape. This is evident by the fact that today, nobody in the whole world would make a statement like “My Company is absolutely protected” or “My security is foolproof”!
Also for any organization, if humans are the greatest asset, then they turn out to be the weakest link as well. Thus, what is required is an appropriate “security culture”. It will help your workers understand the right things to do when they suspect something questionable is going on (whether online or offline).
Therefore, we are penning down some key tips to help you inculcate a security culture in your organization. So, start marking the important points!
Make ‘all in’ in your agenda!
Your first line of defense against security threats should be developed within your own organization rather than for far away criminals and burglars. The drive for security is not the sole responsibility of IT department or the security department, but must be ingrained in each and every member of the organization.
Another pertinent thing is to understand that the security culture in no sense is a ‘once in a year’ event. It is a persistent process which should be embedded in all day-to-do procedures and activities. The company shall also organize quarterly reviews to check on the progress of such initiatives.
Shake their senses for it!
Some visual warnings and discussions can turn out to be boring and ‘boring’ generally would mean ‘unnoticed’. Get a little creative with your awareness efforts to firmly prove your point.
Different people have different interests and you can never be too sure about what will click the thought process of the other person. Thus, play with a variety of awareness channels! Use posters, newsletters, reminders, a team get-together or in-person meetings.
Talk brief and relevant when you are delivering a speech because nobody likes the old school long lectures. The more timely and striking your speech is, the better it is!
Get back to the basics!
Let your employees embrace the core concept of security and comprehend the reasons behind the rules they are asked to follow. When the concepts are understood rather than imposed, then your security culture could go a long way. For instance, tell them that why they are being asked not to follow random email links or share critical information to ambiguous online sites.
To help build such environment, lay the following keystones:
1. Passwords: This is the most basic step when it comes to security, but also probably the most ignored one. Foster a good password & code policy among your employees and take regular updates to ensure that all the members are on the same page.
2. Patches: Keep all your patches and software applications up-to-date. It is advisable to start a regular patch update program which comes in handy in case of emergencies.
3. Limited Access: The more the exposure, the more is the risk! There must be strict rules when it comes to accessing the files and resources of the company. Allow the members to access the data and files only that they need and nothing beyond that.
4. Inventory: Keep the count of your resources, machines and everything else. Tag them, claim them and secure them! The BYOD (bring your own device) culture indubitably scales up your company’s inventory, but, then you have to more careful that by any chance, someone does not take away your machine or your official data. You should also think of procuring weapons in case you expect any imminent law & order situation. For this, you can purchase AR-15 magazines and other arms online.
Watch like a falcon!
Some of your employees might turn to all fun and games behind your back and forget about the rules and regulations during the watch! To help induce the fact that they are being constantly seen, install some surveillance systems. Security cameras help you monitor your business even when you are not on-site and hence, facilitate to keep all the protocols in place.
Lead by example!
When the C-level execs and managers are following the rules, the key message comes clear to the masses! When you firmly teach your employees about your primary objectives through your code of conduct, then only you can hold them accountable for their actions. Just saying ‘This is not the right way’ is no more good enough!
Moving forward!
To lay a healthy security culture in your company, it is imperative to educate your employees about the need and importance of security. Experiment with different methods to inculcate this thing in their thought process. Understand that every employee has a stake in such a drive. From top-level management to the lobby attendants; everyone is important. Use distinct methods to gain their attention and if possible, personally ask your senior members to follow the protocol and set an example.
The most significant thing to discern is that this change will take time and not happen overnight. So, don’t push your ninjas to get security savvy while they are sleeping. Keep the right attitude and you will definitely get there!
