The human element of a security plan can be both your strongest and weakest link. How do you build an effective human firewall to protect your organization?
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January 29, 2024 INSIDE THIS ARTICLE, YOU'LL FIND: |
When it comes to cyber security, all the technological firepower, defense mechanisms, and best practices in the world won’t protect your organization if your people aren’t vigilant, informed, and adept at using the tools given to them.
It’s like a Trojan horse: You can have a fortress, but if you simply let the bad guys in through your front gates, even by mistake, your entire enterprise could be compromised. (There’s a reason why a “Trojan horse virus” – a malware that looks like a legitimate program – is so effective at gaining access to a company’s network.)
Any organization that wants to protect both their sensitive information and their ability to operate safely and effectively needs to build a “human firewall.” A human firewall is an individual or group of people that protect against cyber threats by knowing, understanding, and utilizing best security practices, preventing breaches and other risks in a digital environment.
Most people, however, are not cyber security experts alongside their regular roles and responsibilities – which is why 88% of data breaches are caused by human error, according to Stanford University research. It’s up to your organization and its partners to build an effective human firewall and to support your people whenever possible.
In cyber security, the term "human firewall" draws inspiration from its technological counterpart: Like a traditional firewall, which acts as a monitor to prevent unauthorized access, a human firewall is a defense mechanism implemented by individuals to shield against cyber threats.
The human element of cyber defense is crucial. Though we’ve acknowledged that individuals are rarely as up to date on threats and best practices as security experts, anyone with the right training can add a layer of proactive defense against cyber threats. It’s often the simplest actions, the ones we take and the ones we don’t, that can protect us the best.
Acting as a human firewall involves active participation and awareness. Individuals play a critical role in preventing cyber attacks by staying informed, exercising caution, and adopting secure practices.
When building up your team’s cyber security awareness and culture, keep in mind the following characteristics, and build them into your training and communications surrounding security best practices:
What does a human firewall look like in practice, and what does it mean for the company?
Phishing is a cyber attack where malicious actors use deceptive tactics to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information such as passwords, usernames, credit card numbers, or other confidential data. This is often done through fraudulent emails, messages, or websites that appear legitimate, aiming to manipulate recipients into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links.
Some phishing emails are difficult to discern from legitimate ones, but there can be some telltale signs, including strange misspellings, unfamiliar (but eerily similar to what you know) email addresses, and requests for urgent action.
A well-trained employee could receive an email that is supposedly from the company's IT department, requesting sensitive login credentials. Recognizing the signs of a phishing attempt, the employee refrains from sharing information and promptly reports the incident. This keen awareness prevents a potential data breach.
A major aspect of a successful human firewall is a strong incident reporting culture. Evidence of suspicious network activity – such as a phishing email attempt, notifications about multiple failed log-in attempts, or unusual device behavior like unknown processes running – could go unnoticed or unremarked upon by an inattentive employee. But if they promptly report suspicious activity to the IT department, the security team can take swift action to investigate and neutralize the threat.
It may seem obvious, but encouraging employees to secure all of their devices – laptops, phones, tablets, and anything else they use in the course of their work – is critical. Employees should consistently follow best practices for securing their devices, including regular software updates and utilizing company-approved security tools. This collective effort significantly reduces the risk of malware infiltration and strengthens the overall cyber security posture of the organization.
Social engineering tactics are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to discern from actual communications, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence-backed voice and video tools. Email phishing is one form of social engineering, but there are others. For example, employees could receive a phone call from an individual claiming to be from a reputable vendor, seeking confidential information. Conversations like this one happen all the time, but the unsolicited request for confidential information over the phone is a red flag.
The employee, trained to verify such requests, cross-checks with the vendor and discovers it to be a social engineering attempt. By resisting the manipulation, the employee prevents a potential data breach.
There are many other examples of how vigilant and sound behavior and tactics help build a resilient firewall – everything from setting strong passwords to using two-factor authentication. The bottom line with all of them is that it starts with people, rather than devices or tools, having the wherewithal to repel attacks and thwart threats.
Building a human firewall involves a multifaceted approach that combines education, awareness, best practices, and ongoing reinforcement. Here are 10 steps your organization can take to building a robust human-powered cyber defense system:
For some organizations, building a robust cyber security program that includes a strong human security shield requires expertise and guidance. Experts in this space, such as Global Guardian, can provide assistance in the form of specialized knowledge, customized training programs, and more advanced technologies.
Here are some of the ways in which a security provider can help you protect your business:
A collaboration with a provider can be particularly valuable for organizations that may not have in-house expertise in cyber security, or want an outside perspective to strengthen their security practices.
Remember: The human element of a security plan can be both your strongest and weakest link. Whether you foster your own culture of collective vigilance, or consult expert providers, the strength of your human firewall lies in continuous learning, growing, and adapting. Keep your business secure from all kinds of cyber threats by staying informed and staying together.
The Global Guardian team is standing by to support your security requirements with a comprehensive suite of solutions. To learn more about our cyber security services, complete the form below or call us at + 1 (703) 566-9463.