Cybersecurity and training: a winning combination

What is cybersecurity? This term encompasses all the means that make it possible to ensure the protection of personal data, whether sensitive or not, within a digital infrastructure. The digital transformation of companies is leading to the widespread use of IT tools and communication via the Internet and therefore to the use of cybersecurity. 

According to Panorama de la menace informatique 2021 published by ANSSIthe number of cyber attacks is constantly increasing and amounts to more than 3 proven intrusions per day. The means used by hackers are more and more sophisticated and endanger any type of structure (SME / SMB / ETI / Local authorities).

What is a cyber threat? Why is it important to train your employees about cyber threats?

What is a cyber-threat?

Cyber threats are defined as malicious attempts to disrupt a computer system or network by stealing data or stealing unauthorised files. They can take different forms:

• Ransomware: locks or encrypts access to a device in order to extort money in the form of ransom. After paying, there is no guarantee that the encrypted data will be returned.
• Phishing : also known as phishing, it involves the impersonation of an official organisation (bank, tax office) in order to obtain personal or sensitive information from you.
• Trojan horse virus: a malware that hides its true nature to entice you to install it on your device.
• Spam : an unsolicited e-mail or message, often irritating and annoying.
• Malware this term that defines any type of malicious software.

Increasingly frequent threats are prompting companies to protect themselvesand train all their employees in cybersecurity.

How to involve end-users?

As a reminder, all functions in the company must have access to this type of training in order to transform employees into informed users of IT tools. The so-called sensitive functions should be prioritised: manager, secretary, financial manager, etc. The end users in the company are the first line of defence against cyber attacks. 

IMS (Information System Security) training courses are often too technical with very specific jargon that can lose the learners. Most of the time they are considered boring and therefore ineffective. Gamification can be a good tool to transmit good practices to end-users with an active learning method necessary for the understanding of this technical field.

Top 3 benefits of training employees in cyber security 

Training employees on cyber threats has its advantages. Here are the top 3: 

• Corporate cybersecurity training is there to reduce the risk of malicious threats due to human error. According to a study by PwC, it is estimated that around 32% of a company's employees have unintentionally been the cause of computer attacks suffered by the company. A study by Kaspersky even states that 90% of the risk is due to human error!
• Passing on good practice to employees: this training course will provide employees with additional tips and good practices. They can integrate it into their daily routines.

Develop your employees' IT skills: Not everyone has the same computer skills. Now is the time to turn your most novice employees into knowledgeable users of the various cyber threats.

Work and Play has designed a Blended-learning Cybersecurity training course

Work and play has joined forces with ILKI, a player in the training and security sector, to create a training course to raise awareness of ISS (Information System Security). Through the use of games, the training course introduces a learning method necessary for understanding this technical field. The training is presented in a mission that lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on the level of the end-users and will arouse the interest of the target audience. 

Here is a short excerpt: 

A micro spy camera has been discovered on the company's premises. Although we do not yet know who is behind this attack, the threat is real. We need you to deliver a secret case to our research centre. To succeed you will have to choose the safest paths!

Have a good trip, it's up to you!

See for yourself, thanks to the game-based learning, users will quickly adopt the right security practices. Take a look at the game !

You can also register to our webinar that we are co-hosting with one of our partners and to discover our games on 19 April 2022!