Human risk in cybersecurity has been worrying leaders of organizations around the world, after all, whether intentional or not, these are one of the main causes of security breaches.
To combat them, it is important to implement a security policy that recognizes these vulnerabilities and creates mechanisms to deal with the consequences of these actions.
It is precisely in these stages that personalized training comes in, because it offers the opportunity to address specific risks for each person or team. This is an approach that increases the relevance of the content, making it more applicable.
What are human errors in cybersecurity?
Human errors are responsible for a large part of security incidents and due to this it has increasingly become one of the main targets of cybercriminals, who exploit human vulnerabilities, such as:
Inattention;
Ignorance;
Emotional manipulation.
All of this is done with the intention of accessing systems, stealing information, or causing damage to the organization.
These errors can be classified into different categories, including inattention errors and errors by mistake, which have distinct causes and characteristics.
Error due to inattention
This mistake happens when a person makes a mistake when performing an action due to lack of attention or the habit of performing tasks automatically, without realizing the risks involved.
This is often associated with overconfidence, repetitive routines, or distractions in the workplace.
Errors usually occur when clicking on malicious links without verifying the source, sending sensitive documents to the wrong recipient, or even leaving passwords written down in visible places.
Situations involving this type of error usually occur because the person is not fully aware of the impact of their actions, or because the task performed seems harmless at first glance.
Error due to lack of knowledge
Lack of knowledge or deception error occurs when a person is tricked into believing that they are taking a legitimate action, but are actually being manipulated by cybercriminals.
This happens through phishing attacks and social engineering scams, where criminals exploit people's emotional, social, or cognitive vulnerabilities.
In this way, people respond to phishing emails that appear to be from trusted sources, share credentials on fake websites, execute bank transfers, or provide sensitive information to people posing as superiors or companies.
Mistake occurs because the person is misled, often through messages that exploit urgency, fear, or curiosity.
What is the role of training in combating human error?
Training plays a very important role in combating human error, being one of the most effective strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities and prepare people so that they know how to deal with threats.
However, generic training or training that does not understand the specifics of each team may not have the same effect on people. In this way, personalizing these actions amplifies the success of an awareness program.
After all, human error remains one of the main factors behind security incidents, according to a Verizon report, which indicates that more than 80% of security breaches involve the human factor.
This is because generic training offers an important overview of cybersecurity, but often fails to address the specific situations faced by different functions in an organization.
For example, finance professionals are more exposed to email fraud involving payments, while IT teams deal with more technical threats, such as server attacks.
As a result, training on a certain subject may not have an effect on that team and thus make people vulnerable to making these human mistakes.
In this way, personalized training knows exactly the audience it needs to reach and with that, adapt the content to the responsibilities of each person, increasing relevance and engagement.
This is what Forrester Research studies show that personalized training programs can reduce human errors related to cybersecurity by up to 66%.
This is because people not only learn about threats, but also receive practical and specific guidance on how to face them in their daily activities.
After all, specific and continuous training is more effective in changing behaviors compared to specific awareness campaigns, reinforcing the importance of investing in continuous actions and not in something isolated.
In addition, continuous and personalized training is essential to establish a culture of safety in the organization.
It should be borne in mind that organizations with a mature security culture have a lower financial impact in cases of cyber incidents, compared to institutions where this culture is not well-developed.
But why does this happen? When people are properly trained, they become security advocates, and the company is able to create an environment where each individual understands their role in data protection.
What are the benefits of personalized training?
As we have seen, human error opens vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals, and the objective of personalized training is precisely to teach people how to defend themselves from these actions.
This is a strategic approach that adapts content and methodologies to the specific needs of each person, so personalization increases the effectiveness of training initiatives. Here is one of the main benefits of this approach.
Relevance and applicability
Personalized training considers people's specific context and roles, making learning more relevant and directly applicable to their routines.
Unlike generic approaches, which often fail to address the particularities of each role, customized programs offer practical examples and scenarios that reflect the real challenges faced by employees.
This relevance increases people's connection with the content, promoting more meaningful learning, engaging everyone in training and in the entire awareness process.
Behavior change
Personalization also significantly improves information retention. When content is contextualized, it becomes easier to understand and remember, directly impacting behaviors in the long run.
In addition, methods such as microlearning, which delivers small doses of targeted content, and gamification, which incorporates playful elements into learning, have proven to be highly effective in reinforcing knowledge.
These strategies are especially useful when tailored to the needs and knowledge level of each employee, ensuring greater engagement and retention.
Reduction of specific vulnerabilities
One of the most evident advantages of personalized training is the ability to address vulnerabilities specific to each sector, team, or individual.
This is because, by mapping knowledge gaps and risk behaviors within the organization, it is possible to create targeted programs to correct these weaknesses.
For example, in an incident analysis, a company may identify that the bulk of security breaches occur due to failures to recognize phishing emails.
In this case, training can focus specifically on training employees to identify signs of malicious emails. This targeted approach is much more effective than generic training, which may not address the real causes of problems.
Improved engagement and motivation
Personalized training also promotes greater engagement. After all, people tend to be more interested in content that directly reflects their activities and challenges.
In this way, interactive tools, practical simulations, and the use of real scenarios make the learning process more engaging.
In addition, the feeling that the training was made to meet their specific needs generates a feeling of appreciation from employees, increasing their motivation to participate actively.
PhishX is your ally in reducing human error
PhishX specializes in cybersecurity awareness and education solutions, offering a complete ecosystem that integrates technology and specialized content to protect organizations from digital threats.
Our goal is to transform human behavior, often considered the weakest link in the security chain, into an effective barrier against cyberattacks.
One of the main ways PhishX contributes to the reduction of human error is through detailed incident analysis.
These analyses allow us to identify specific knowledge gaps in your organization, such as difficulties recognizing phishing emails or failures to follow security procedures.
Based on this data, we develop customized strategies to mitigate the risks associated with these weaknesses.
In addition, our content is designed to be engaging, educational, and effective, ranging from phishing simulation campaigns to interactive modules that teach security best practices.
Our ecosystem also has full assistance, our Customer Success team helps to adapt our materials to the specific needs of each organization and its teams.
This means that your team will receive training aligned with the real functions and challenges of everyday life, increasing the relevance and impact of learning.
By combining advanced technology, accurate analytics, and a personalized approach, PhishX not only helps to correct existing flaws but also fosters lasting cultural change.
Therefore, we empower your employees to be the first level of defense against cyber threats, directly contributing to a more secure and resilient digital environment.
Want to know more? Get in touch with our experts and learn about our ecosystem and what it can do for your organization.
