Design a Cyber Security Behavior-Oriented Awareness Program for a Hybrid Workforce

Work-from-home and hybrid work models are being heavily adopted worldwide. There are many positives to this trend, especially for workers. With that said, there are several security adjustments organizations must make to ensure the hybrid work model is secure and efficient for everyone involved.

One of these adjustments is to organizations’ security programs to raise awareness among the workforce. This article will explain how to design and implement a behavior-focused security training program tailored for a hybrid work model.

How Does a Hybrid Workforce Impact Employee Cyber Security Training Requirements?

A hybrid workforce combines in-office and remote work environments, creating a unique blend of requirements for an all-encompassing security awareness program. With employees working from different locations, training must cover a broader set of scenarios.

For example, In an office environment, the duty to protect the network typically lies with the IT staff. However, if employees are working from home, each of them has to know how to secure their network individually. This requires specific training that will familiarize the workforce with common network attacks and vulnerabilities and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement security measures.

Another important aspect of a hybrid workforce is the significant number of additional devices that need protection. If an employee works from an unsecured network, even their smart microwave could become an entry point for cybercriminals.

Some employees may even use their personal devices for work, including phones and computers. Thus, training must be extended to secure these devices.

Customized Employee Cyber Security Training for Unique Threats

Recognizing that employees in different roles and locations may face unique threats, security training in a hybrid model must be more personalized. This could involve role-specific training modules, scenario-based learning tailored to different work environments, and adaptive learning paths that evolve based on the threat landscape and individual learning progress.

How to Design a Comprehensive Cyber Security Behavior-Oriented Awareness Program for a Hybrid Workforce?

When designing and implementing a security awareness training (SAT) program or any business-related program, it’s crucial to have a clear goal. With a SAT program, the goal should always be to ensure all employees, regardless of location, have the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and the organization from cyber threats.

How to achieve this in a hybrid work environment? The following five-step process can serve as a starting roadmap:

1. Assess Current Security Awareness and Needs

Before you start doing anything, you must first understand the specific needs and risks associated with your hybrid workforce. This will serve as a foundation for developing a tailored security awareness program.

Key points to consider include the type of data your organization handles, the different locations employees might work from, as well as the technologies they use. Consider interviewing or surveying employees to better understand their security awareness levels and the challenges they face in their work environments.

2. Define Training Objectives

Based on the assessment, define what the security awareness training program aims to achieve. These objectives must be specific and achievable. For example:

“Educate all remote employees on how to secure their home network.”

“Teach employees to identify and respond to phishing threats accurately.”

“Emphasize the importance of using strong passwords.”

3. Develop the Training Content

Depending on your organization’s size and in-house capabilities, you can develop the training content internally or collaborate with security awareness training experts. Regardless of the method you choose, here are some pointers on how you can make the training content impactful and relevant:

Ensure the training covers core security areas such as password policies, phishing methods and ways to recognize them, mobile device security, how and why to use a VPN, etc.

Tailor the content to specific roles and geographic locations so it addresses unique security challenges and regulatory requirements.

Incorporate gamification elements like badges, leaderboards, and rewards to motivate employees to engage with the training material and apply their knowledge.

4. Choose the Right Delivery Methods

To keep the content engaging and suitable for various audiences and learning styles, leverage a mix of training formats, such as:

Provide on-demand access to these materials so employees can refer to them at any time. It’s also advisable to set deadlines to ensure employees complete all necessary training.

Ongoing Adaptation and Improvement of Cyber Security Behavior-Oriented Awareness Training Programs

As the cyber risk landscape continues to shift, it’s crucial to regularly refresh educational materials to address new security challenges. Engage with employees to gauge the impact of these training sessions and identify areas that may require additional explanation.

Despite the rapid technological advancement, certain foundational principles of cyber security have persisted over time. Consistently emphasize these fundamental concepts through diverse educational strategies, ensuring that staff members thoroughly understand and can effectively implement them in their routine tasks.