Myst - stock.adobe.com
UK businesses still overlooking human element in security
Most UK businesses are still failing to address the human element in cyber security as part of an integrated approach, exposing themselves unnecessarily to cyber criminal attacks, a study shows
Only four in 10 (42%) businesses focus on compliance training as part of cyber security efforts to ensure sensitive data is kept secure, despite the fact that accidental lapses in security through carelessness or negligence are responsible for a significant proportion of security breaches, a report has revealed.
More worryingly, 63% rely predominantly on passwords to protect IT systems, according to a whitepaper on the link between personality types and vulnerabilities to cyber crime by security firm Eset and business psychology organisation the Myers-Briggs Company.
The whitepaper, based on a survey of 500 UK firms, highlighted that cyber security should be on every boardroom’s agenda and that there needs to be ongoing one-on-one meetings and training sessions to highlight and mitigate potential vulnerabilities within teams.
“It is vital that modern businesses have a degree of self-awareness regarding cyber security,” the whitepaper said. “That is, not just a general awareness of the problem, but a detailed and personalised knowledge of how cyber crime and cyber security relate to their own operations.” It noted that the most successful cyber attacks typically rely on a degree of human error and/or ignorance.
The whitepaper also highlighted popular cyber threats, such as formjacking, PowerShell-based attacks and attacks exploiting weaknesses in IoT (internet of things) devices.
Cyber criminal techniques are extremely diverse and unpredictable, the report said, noting that aside from a reputable and trustworthy cyber solution, having a solid front line of employees who are armed with ample information and support is critical for businesses.
“Securing the human element is vital in today’s fast-changing cyber landscape,” said Jake Moore, security specialist at Eset. “We are seeing a growing need for companies to streamline their teams’ cyber safety protocols.”
While the motivation behind a cyber attack may be varied and impossible to predict, the whitepaper said companies can take the time to learn more about their employees’ personalities and behavioural preferences to help them understand the role they play in securing company data.
“For the human risk factor to be mitigated, both senior and middle management need to play a much larger role in both identifying vulnerabilities within their teams and securing cyber systems via an integrative human/machine approach,” the whitepaper said.
Research collated by the Myers-Briggs Company that looked at individuals across Europe revealed that people who focus their attention on the outside world (extraverts) are more vulnerable to manipulation and persuasion by cyber criminals.
In contrast, people who tend to observe and remember details may be better suited to spotting risks as they arise, while people guided by personal values or who are systematic or structured are more likely to fall victim to social engineering attacks than those who solve problems with logic.
Read more about the human element in security
- State-backed hackers in Iran have reportedly upped efforts to compromise US officials’ email accounts using phishing scams, highlighting the importance of the human element in cyber security.
- Human factor is key to defeating evasive malware, following up when something doesn’t seem “quite right” and sharing threat intelligence.
- Businesses are not addressing inside threats when it comes to cyber security, leaving themselves wide open to data breaches as a result, according to a security analyst.
However, people who have a preference for thinking can over-estimate their own competence, leading to mistakes, the researchers warned.
Identifying people’s potential strengths and weaknesses not only highlights how different team members may be at risk without even knowing it, but it can also be used to foster a collaborative team dynamic as members may call on each other’s strengths, the whitepaper said.
“Despite the risks involved, cyber security is something many businesses leave up to dedicated IT specialists, when in fact a lot of breaches could be avoided if a more integrated and business-wide approach to cyber security were adopted,” it said.
John Hackston, head of thought leadership at the Myers-Briggs Company, said: “When it comes to cyber safety protocols, we strongly advocate delivering a personalised cyber security management programme to employees.
“We believe that when employees are aware of their potential blindspots, they are naturally more invested and better prepared to be wary of things that may not seem quite right.
“By improving employees’ self-awareness, employers can maximise individual and team performance. This is particularly important in a fast-moving industry like cyber security, which combines constantly shifting challenges with the need to place trust in individuals.”
