Security Awareness: A Beginner’s Guide
Security Awareness Guide 2023
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover the basic principles of security awareness and provide some simple tips and best practices to help you stay safe online.
What is security awareness?
Security awareness is an essential skill in today’s digital world. With more and more of our personal and professional lives taking place online, it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your organization from cyber threats.
First, let’s define what we mean by security awareness. Essentially, it’s the knowledge and understanding of potential security threats and the measures you can take to prevent them. This includes everything from protecting your personal information and password hygiene to recognizing and avoiding phishing scams and other social engineering attacks.
You are the last line of defence
One of the most important things to understand about security awareness is that it’s not just the responsibility of IT professionals or cybersecurity experts. In fact, every single person in an organization has a role to play in keeping their data and systems safe. That’s why it’s crucial for everyone to have at least a basic understanding of security principles and best practices.
What you can do to help
So, what are some key security awareness concepts that everyone should know? Here are a few to get you started:
Password Hygiene
Password hygiene: Strong, unique passwords are the foundation of good cybersecurity. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and make sure to use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. It's also a good idea to regularly update your passwords and use a password manager to keep track of them.
Phishing scams
Phishing scams: These are one of the most common types of cyber attacks, and they often take the form of fake emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources. Be wary of any unexpected or suspicious communications, and never click on links or download attachments unless you're sure they're safe.
Social engineering attacks
These are a type of attack that relies on manipulating people rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities. For example, a social engineer might pose as a customer service representative and ask for your password or other sensitive information. Be on the lookout for these types of attacks and always verify the identity of anyone who asks for sensitive information.
Security software
Using antivirus and firewall software can help protect your devices and networks from malware and other threats. Make sure to keep your security software up to date and run regular scans to detect any potential issues.
Physical security
Cybersecurity isn't just about protecting your digital assets – it also involves securing your physical devices and locations. This means protecting your computers and other devices with locks and password protection, and being mindful of who has access to your workspace.
These are just a few of the basics when it comes to security awareness.
Remember, the most important thing is to stay vigilant and always be on the lookout for potential threats.
We recommend all readers educate themselves on the dangers of smishing. With well managed Security Awareness Training the threat posed by today’s advanced smishing techniques can be significantly reduced. Take back control, today.