Information security staff awareness crucial for business success
/EINPresswire.com/ Given the recent surge in data breaches, many employers are probably asking themselves right now, what they need to do in order to ensure their information is safe. Whilst there are a few things organisations should be doing to defend themselves from cyber attacks, one major factor is often being ignored when implementing a cyber security strategy - the human factor. Staff can contribute to the success of business through their work, and can equally damage any business's reputation if they don't understand its policies.
'Companies determined to tackle the problem of information security, cannot rely on the help of technology alone. Information security breaches tend to occur as a result of human, as well as technological, failings. However, the human factor usually receives far less attention.' says Alan Calder, CEO of IT Governance.
An IT Induction programme should become part of any organisation's cyber security strategy. By providing employees with simple instruction in good IT working practices, and by making sure they know what is expected of them, businesses can strengthen their company's information security and reduce the risk that their data will be stolen or lost.
IT Governance (www.itgovernance.co.uk), the information security expert, is one of the few companies in the world that offer a complete solution to information security staff awareness. An overview of the company's products, which include pocket guides, e-learning courses, animated graphics and posters, and are specifically designed to help IT and HR managers to raise information security awareness in an organisation, is available here www.itgovernance.co.uk/information-security-awareness.aspx .
Educating employees in good IT working practices will help them to avoid the errors that might otherwise put any organisation at risk. Without proper staff training, the danger is that theft or loss of data will damage the company's reputation and will have considerable financial implications. In some countries, such as the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) can fine companies up to £500,000 for a serious contravention of the Data Protection Act (DPA). In the USA on the other side, a federal Bill known as the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act has been introduced in June 2011 which will impose strict data security measures. US-based companies would be required to report data breaches that threaten consumer privacy and could face stiff penalties for concealing them. Another risk to US companies is the class action lawsuit, which enables customers to file a complaint if their personal data was lost due to the company's failure to protect it.
Alan Calder continues, 'Consistent and systematic staff training, and consequent up-to-date awareness, about information security and data protection issues are essential if organisations want to protect themselves and their reputation. Each member of the team must understand their own responsibilities, and how those responsibilities fit into their organisation's overall information security policy.'
The most practical way to achieve these objectives is through e-learning. The experts at IT Governance have recognised the effect of interactive learning has on employees and have designed a number of online, non-technical courses to help staff understand information security regulations (whether these are in effect or not), the liability on organisations from both a financial and a reputation aspect, and the results from information security breaches. Another big advantage of e-learning is that it is the simplest, quickest and most economical means to train staff. IT Governance e-learning courses cover areas such as information security, data protection and the Payment Cards Industry (PCI). A full list of the e-learning courses can be found here: www.itgovernance.co.uk/itg-elearning.aspx.
With prices as little as £45 per employee, every organisation should be using e-learning as a tool to train its employees and not risk fines of up to £500,000 due to security failures caused by staff.
Organisations can buy single or multi-user e-learning course licenses online www.itgovernance.co.uk/itg-elearning.aspx . Orders can also be made directly with the friendly, helpful IT Governance service centre team on telephone number +44 (0)845 070 1750. Larger organisations can make purchases with a purchase order either by telephone or by e-mail to servicecentre@itgovernance.co.uk.
'Companies determined to tackle the problem of information security, cannot rely on the help of technology alone. Information security breaches tend to occur as a result of human, as well as technological, failings. However, the human factor usually receives far less attention.' says Alan Calder, CEO of IT Governance.
An IT Induction programme should become part of any organisation's cyber security strategy. By providing employees with simple instruction in good IT working practices, and by making sure they know what is expected of them, businesses can strengthen their company's information security and reduce the risk that their data will be stolen or lost.
IT Governance (www.itgovernance.co.uk), the information security expert, is one of the few companies in the world that offer a complete solution to information security staff awareness. An overview of the company's products, which include pocket guides, e-learning courses, animated graphics and posters, and are specifically designed to help IT and HR managers to raise information security awareness in an organisation, is available here www.itgovernance.co.uk/information-security-awareness.aspx .
Educating employees in good IT working practices will help them to avoid the errors that might otherwise put any organisation at risk. Without proper staff training, the danger is that theft or loss of data will damage the company's reputation and will have considerable financial implications. In some countries, such as the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) can fine companies up to £500,000 for a serious contravention of the Data Protection Act (DPA). In the USA on the other side, a federal Bill known as the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act has been introduced in June 2011 which will impose strict data security measures. US-based companies would be required to report data breaches that threaten consumer privacy and could face stiff penalties for concealing them. Another risk to US companies is the class action lawsuit, which enables customers to file a complaint if their personal data was lost due to the company's failure to protect it.
Alan Calder continues, 'Consistent and systematic staff training, and consequent up-to-date awareness, about information security and data protection issues are essential if organisations want to protect themselves and their reputation. Each member of the team must understand their own responsibilities, and how those responsibilities fit into their organisation's overall information security policy.'
The most practical way to achieve these objectives is through e-learning. The experts at IT Governance have recognised the effect of interactive learning has on employees and have designed a number of online, non-technical courses to help staff understand information security regulations (whether these are in effect or not), the liability on organisations from both a financial and a reputation aspect, and the results from information security breaches. Another big advantage of e-learning is that it is the simplest, quickest and most economical means to train staff. IT Governance e-learning courses cover areas such as information security, data protection and the Payment Cards Industry (PCI). A full list of the e-learning courses can be found here: www.itgovernance.co.uk/itg-elearning.aspx.
With prices as little as £45 per employee, every organisation should be using e-learning as a tool to train its employees and not risk fines of up to £500,000 due to security failures caused by staff.
Organisations can buy single or multi-user e-learning course licenses online www.itgovernance.co.uk/itg-elearning.aspx . Orders can also be made directly with the friendly, helpful IT Governance service centre team on telephone number +44 (0)845 070 1750. Larger organisations can make purchases with a purchase order either by telephone or by e-mail to servicecentre@itgovernance.co.uk.
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