Why security is everyone's responsibility
Share on socials
Building your human firewall: why security is everyone's responsibility
Dimitris Sylligardakis
31 July 2024
7 min read
Dimitris Sylligardakis
31 July 2024
7 min read
Jump to Section
Jump to section
Security isn't just an IT problem
How everyone shapes a company's security strategy
Why your human firewall matters
Building your human firewall
The bottom line
Read our Senior Product Marketing Manager's insights into why building a 'human firewall' could be the key to securing your organisation against cyberattacks and breaches.
Threats to your organisation are becoming more sophisticated and far-reaching with each passing day.
In the past, you may have been able to get away with thinking of security as solely the domain of information security professionals. But today, protecting your sensitive data and systems is a collective responsibility extending to every team member in your organisation.
As a Product Marketer who is deeply involved in the information security and compliance space, I've seen firsthand how this shared responsibility model can make or break a company's security posture.
So, if you're ready to discover how your organisation can use a shared responsibility model to optimise and improve your information security strategy, then you're in the right place—let's dive in!
Security isn't just an IT problem
Picture this: your company's security is like a chain, and every single person in your organisation is a link.
What happens when there's one weak link in that chain?
You guessed it. The whole chain falls apart.
It's scary how quickly this chain can break. All it takes is someone clicking a phishing email link from a hacker pretending to be your CEO or a simple case of your cloud storage settings being accidentally misconfigured. Suddenly, you're dealing with a ransomware attack or a data breach that exposes your confidential data to the world.
The interconnected nature of modern organisations means that everyone, from your CEO to your intern, plays a vital role in maintaining your security posture.
That's why you need to prioritise cultivating a culture of security awareness and vigilance at all levels of your organisation and across every department.
How everyone (not just IT) shapes a company's security strategy
In the complex landscape of cybersecurity, new technology alone can't guarantee protection.
While firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems are crucial, they're not bulletproof.
Hackers are experts at exploiting vulnerabilities, and one of their favourite entry points is the human element.
Enter the concept of the 'human firewall'.
But, what exactly is a human firewall, and why does it matter?
Why your human firewall matters
Our people are both the greatest asset and the biggest risk in our cybersecurity posture.
While well-intentioned, your team members can accidentally click on phishing links, fall for social engineering scams, or mishandle sensitive data.
On the flip side, a team that's educated in cybersecurity can spot potential threats, report suspicious activity to IT, and proactively follow your security protocols without it being a burden on their day-to-day work.
Empowering your employees as security allies has several benefits:
- They catch threats early: individuals are often the first to notice anomalies or suspicious behaviour. By educating them on the signs of phishing, ransomware, and other attacks, they can proactively alert your IT team before a breach occurs.
- They make fewer errors: many security incidents stem from simple mistakes, like clicking on a malicious link or using weak passwords. Security awareness training can significantly reduce these errors.
- Everyone plays a role in your new security culture: when employees understand the importance of security and their role in maintaining it, a culture of vigilance and responsibility emerges. This culture makes it harder for attackers to succeed.
- Your incident responses are improved: a well-prepared workforce can respond more effectively to security incidents. They know who to contact, what steps to take, and how to minimise the impact of a breach.
If you can get everyone at your organisation on the same page when it comes to security, you'll have a 'human firewall'—that is, your people will be your first, and strongest line of defence against any potential cyberattack or risk to your company data.
So, now that we understand why security needs to be everyone's job, how do we make sure it happens?
The first steps in building your human firewall
Creating a strong human firewall requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Comprehensive training: regular, engaging training sessions should cover a wide range of topics, including phishing, social engineering, password hygiene, data handling, and physical security.
- Ongoing awareness: security awareness should be integrated into the company culture through reminders, newsletters, posters, and even gamification.
- Clear communication: employees should know who to contact if they have security concerns or encounter potential threats. Open communication channels encourage reporting and create a sense of shared responsibility.
- Positive reinforcement: recognise and reward employees who demonstrate good security practices. This reinforces the importance of security and encourages others to follow suit.
If you can implement these, you'll be well on your way to building a more resilient and robust security posture.
The bottom line
Investing in your human firewall isn't just an IT issue; it's a strategic business decision.
By treating security as a team sport and empowering your team to be security champions, you create a formidable defence against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
A well-informed and vigilant team is the key to protecting your company's valuable assets, reputation, and future.
Remember, cybersecurity isn't solely the responsibility of IT professionals. It's on all of us, and by making it a collective effort, you'll build a human firewall that results in a safer and more secure digital world for all of us.
Want to continue the conversation?
If you're responsible for information security and compliance at your organisation, or want to chat about any of Upscale's apps, let's connect!
Written by
Dimitris Sylligardakis
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Upscale
Based in London with a few cats and a small passion for Python automation, gardening, history, and econometrics (don’t ask). Dimitrios has worked in marketing across multiple industries, with a constant focus on providing customers with the tools they need to solve their everyday problems.
InfoSec & Compliance