The digital workplace has revolutionised the way we work, offering flexibility, efficiency, and wide-ranging opportunities for collaboration. Yet, the surge in online activities has given rise to significant safety concerns. As employees navigate this digital world, the question becomes: Are they truly safe online?
Your employees online
As of 2021, 58% of the global population had internet access, leading to an unprecedented amount of data being shared online every day. In the context of work, this includes sensitive information like personal details, intellectual property, customer data, and strategic plans. The safety of this information is paramount, both for individual employees and the organisations they represent. Following processes like regular data removal is key.
A 2020 IBM report showed that the average cost of a data breach was $3.86 million, up 10% over the previous five years. One of the significant causes of these breaches was human error, with 23% of incidents being the result of such mistakes. Evidently, the role employees play in maintaining online safety is critical.
Sharing information online
The practice of employees sharing information online and creating an online footprint is a significant concern in online safety. Each time an employee posts or shares something online, they leave a digital footprint that could potentially be exploited. It could be something as innocent as sharing a work anniversary on LinkedIn or posting a photo of a work event.
A seemingly harmless post can reveal sensitive information. For instance, an employee might post a photo of their workstation on social media, unintentionally revealing confidential documents or passwords written on post-it notes. Cybercriminals can piece together these digital breadcrumbs to commit identity theft, corporate espionage, or targeted phishing attacks.
Moreover, oversharing online can make employees targets of social engineering attacks. These attacks manipulate people into divulging confidential information. For example, a cybercriminal might use information shared online about an employee’s colleagues or work projects to trick them into revealing passwords or other sensitive information.
In fact, according to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, social engineering attacks accounted for 35% of all breaches, up from 22% the previous year. This alarming increase underscores the significant risk that oversharing online poses to both individuals and businesses.
The consequences of data breaches
The consequences of such breaches can be severe, including financial loss, damage to a company’s reputation, and loss of customer trust. Hence, organisations must take proactive measures to ensure the online safety of their employees.
One effective approach is to implement comprehensive cybersecurity training for all employees. This should include education about safe online behaviours, the dangers of oversharing, and how to recognise potential cyber threats.
In addition, organisations should establish robust cybersecurity policies that clearly outline acceptable behaviours and protocols for online activities. This might include rules around what can be shared online, guidelines for using personal devices for work, and procedures for reporting suspicious online activity.
In the digital age, online safety is a shared responsibility. While organisations need to implement robust cybersecurity measures, employees, too, must be vigilant about their online activities. Remember, every click, share, or post contributes to your digital footprint. Be mindful of what you share online; it's not just about your safety but the safety of your entire organisation.
While the digital workplace offers myriad benefits, it also brings significant safety risks. By understanding these risks and adopting appropriate measures, we can create a safer online environment for all.
Copyright 2023.This article was written by Bernadine Racoma