Is human error a threat or a vulnerability? Discover the common cybersecurity mistakes that humans make and learn how to conquer human error to enhance your cybersecurity posture.
According to a joint study by Stanford University and Tessian, employee mistakes are to blame for nine out of 10, or approximately 88%, of data breach incidents. Likewise, the Global Risks Report 2022 found that…
“Businesses also operate in a world in which 95% of cybersecurity issues can be traced to human error and where insider threats (intentional or accidental) represent 43% of all breaches.”
These numbers say human error is the driving force behind most cybersecurity incidents. It’s a significant factor that everyone needs to think carefully about and delve into, along with its implications across various domains of human activity, particularly cybersecurity.
This article will shed light on the seven deadly cybersecurity mistakes that humans often make, highlighting the role of human error in cyber incidents and providing insights into why these mistakes happen and how to prevent human error in your business.
Human Error in Cybersecurity
Employees are every organisation’s most valuable asset. Skilled and knowledgeable employees can make a significant difference in business continuity. But mistakes are inevitable. It’s in our nature.
Despite our best intentions and efforts, human error is an inherent aspect of human nature, stemming from our cognitive processes and the complex environments we navigate. It’s no surprise that, in today’s digital age, humans remain one of the weakest links in the cybersecurity chain.
Definition and Nature of Human Error
Human error is the result of unintentional actions or decisions that result in undesired outcomes and deviate from the intended goals. It’s an inherent part of being human, as our cognitive processes are susceptible to biases, limitations, and lapses.
In a security context, human error refers to an employee doing something they shouldn’t, or failing to do something they should, or not even doing anything at all that causes, spreads, or allows a security breach to take place.
Human error can be attributed to a wide variety of causes. Slips (a failure to execute a task correctly owing to lapses in attention or automatic behaviour) and mistakes (errors in decision-making or problem-solving processes) can occur when attention is impaired by factors such as fatigue, stress, distractions, and workload. Errors can be exacerbated by factors such as a lack of proper training, poor communication, and unclear directions. Additionally, one’s decision-making processes might be influenced by overconfidence or complacency, leading to costly mistakes.
More specifically, human error falls into two categories.
- Skill-based error. Slips and lapses occur when an employee makes a mistake when completing a task they are familiar with but doesn’t follow due to a temporary lapse in memory, a distraction, or negligence. Falling for phishing scams is one concrete example.
- Decision-based errors. Mistakes in decision-making or problem-solving processes often arise from cognitive biases, inadequate knowledge, or flawed reasoning. An example would be failing to password-protect a file with sensitive information.
The Cost of Human Error
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity breaches have become a prevalent and costly issue for businesses and individuals. On the other hand, technological advancements have improved security, yet one significant factor continues to contribute to breaches – human error.
Acknowledging the reality of human error enables us to adopt a proactive approach, implementing preventive measures, training programmes, and system improvements to reduce the likelihood and impact of errors in cybersecurity.
But let’s face it: the cost of human error across all industries, especially those associated with cyber attacks, can result in huge damages. We’re talking about millions in financial losses, reputational damage, operational disruptions, incident response and recovery costs, non-compliance penalties, and loss of business opportunities.
Exposed: Human Error’s Role in High-Profile Cybersecurity Breaches
Around 30,000 websites are compromised every single day, and a new attack occurs every 39 seconds, on average. On the same note, let’s take a look at real-life data breaches caused by human error or insider threats.
- 2014-2020 Marriot data breaches that compromised personal information of more than 300 million guest records worldwide due to lapses in security.
- 2021 Dallas police department data loss incident after an employee accidentally deleted 8.7 million important files.
- 2016 Snapchat phishing attack after an HR employee fell victim to a CEO email scam.
- 2017 Equifax data breach exposed the personal information of 147 million people because it failed to patch a basic vulnerability.
- 2018 Ericsson data breach that caused outages in 11 countries, including Japan, due to expired certificates.
- 2020 Twitter spear-phishing attack on 130 private and corporate Twitter accounts to promote a Bitcoin scam.
- 2021 South Georgia Medical Center suffered a data breach after a former employee stole the health information of 41,692 individuals.
- 2022 Slack security breach due to a security flaw in Slack’s authentication system.
- 2023 MailChimp data breach that resulted in the compromise of at least 133 MailChimp user accounts.
The 7 Deadly Cybersecurity Mistakes That Humans Make
Here are some of the most common types of cybersecurity mistakes caused by human error that trigger security chain reactions:
1. Weak Passwords
The Achilles heel of security includes:
- Using easily guessable passwords, such as “123456” or “password”
- Poor password hygiene or reusing passwords across multiple accounts
- Neglecting to change default passwords on devices and systems
Human errors in password management can compromise network security and provide cybercriminals with easy access to sensitive systems. Further increasing the likelihood of successful ransomware penetration is the lack of multi-factor authentication.
Implementing strong password regulations, educating users on recommended practices for creating and using passwords, and encouraging the use of password managers to generate and securely store complex passwords are all effective means of overcoming this error.
2. Falling for Phishing and Social Engineering
You’ve fallen for “hook, line, and sinker.”
- Clicking on suspicious links in emails or messages
- Sharing sensitive information in response to phishing emails
- Ignoring warning signs and failing to report phishing attempt
Phishing emails and social engineering techniques are common entry points for ransomware since they rely on human error. Clicking on malicious links or opening infected attachments can trigger the installation of ransomware on a system, allowing attackers to encrypt data and demand a ransom. The chance of falling victim to these approaches increases with inattention, a lack of cybersecurity understanding, or the absence of effective email screening.
Employees can be protected from falling for this trap by receiving phishing training, participating in frequent phishing exercises, and using highly effective email filtering and blocking systems.
3. Negligence in Software Updates and Patching
It’s like opening doors to vulnerabilities.
- Delaying or ignoring software updates and patches
- Failing to update antivirus and security software regularly
- Using outdated or unsupported software
Neglecting software updates and security patches can lead to critical security gaps, leaving systems exposed and networks susceptible to ransomware infiltration. Cybercriminals often exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorised access.
Conquer this mistake by implementing automated update mechanisms, educating users about the importance of updates, and establishing vulnerability management processes.
4. Connecting to Unsecured Wi-Fi Connections
Unintentionally inviting malware and spyware.
- Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks without using a virtual private network (VPN)
- Sharing sensitive information over unsecured Wi-Fi networks
- Ignoring the risks associated with untrusted Wi-Fi hotspots
Public Wi-Fi connections are often unencrypted, which means that hackers can easily intercept your data as it travels over the network. This includes your passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information. Inadvertently sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or confidential data, through unsecure channels can compromise security and facilitate data breaches.
To overcome this mistake, raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured Wi-Fi networks, encourage the use of VPNs (virtual private networks), and establish a policy of connecting only to trusted and encrypted networks.
5. Allowing Personal Devices for Work
The BYOD policy.
- Personal device isn’t encrypted
- Letting friends and family members access the device
- Risk of theft or losing your device
Using personal devices for work-related tasks without proper security measures poses a significant risk. Such devices may lack the necessary security controls and become potential entry points for cyberattacks.
To mitigate the risks associated with using personal devices in the workplace, organisations should have a clear BYOD policy in place and implement strict access control policies even for company-owned devices.
6. Poor Privileged Account Management
IT administrators can make mistakes, too.
- Granting privileged access to everyone and sharing credentials
- Administrators don’t revoke privileges after a task is completed
- A third-party vendor gets a default privileged account
Poor practices in privileged account management can reduce the efficiency of your cybersecurity systems and put sensitive data at risk of accidental leaks and hacking attacks.
A necessary preventive measure is to do a complete check of every account, especially those with heightened access privileges, and then continuously monitor their use. IT administrators must implement the least-privilege principle in all accounts and systems to ensure that privileged accounts are used only to manage specific parts of the infrastructure.
7. Lack of Employee Awareness and Training
Ignorance is not always bliss.
- Clicking on malicious links or downloading malware-infected files
- Misconfiguration of security settings
- Unintentionally mishandle sensitive information
Many individuals lack awareness of common cybersecurity threats and best practices. Lack of proper training, negligence, or malicious intent can result in employees unintentionally weakening their cybersecurity posture. For example, they may inadvertently engage in risky online behaviour, allowing ransomware attacks to occur from within the organisation.
Educating employees about common cyber threats can protect your organisation and minimise the risk of a breach or data loss. Therefore, invest in comprehensive cybersecurity awareness and tailored training programmes to educate employees about potential threats, safe browsing habits, and incident reporting procedures.
7 Best Practices to Conquer Human Error in Cybersecurity
Human error can be both a threat and a vulnerability. Cybercriminals may be able to use it as a threat to access a system or steal data. It’s a vulnerability in an organisation’s security that can be exploited by cybercriminals.
In either case, human error can have grave consequences for an organisation, which can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and damage to the organisation’s reputation.
While humans can be a weak link, there are several strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of human error:
1. Address the lack of knowledge with Robust Security Awareness Training
A comprehensive cybersecurity training programme should contain guidance on common security threats, best practices for safe online behaviour, and the importance of data security. Simulated phishing exercises can also help reinforce awareness.
2. Implement Strong Password Policies
Enforcing strong password policies that require employees to create complex and unique passwords can significantly enhance security. Additionally, encouraging the use of password managers can help individuals manage multiple strong passwords securely.
3. Enforce Device Usage Policies
Organisations should establish clear device usage policies that define access, usage, and security measures for both company-owned and personal devices used for work-related tasks. This entails putting policies in place, like device encryption and remote wipe capabilities.
4. Deploy Automated Patching and Updating systems
It’s critical to maintain a proactive attitude towards system updates and software patching. Businesses should set up procedures to guarantee that software and systems are regularly updated and patched to fix identified vulnerabilities. Moreover, the use of automated patch management systems can reduce the manual errors that often occur when patching.
5. Encourage a Culture of Security.
It is crucial to establish a culture where cybersecurity is prioritised and embedded into the organisation’s values and practices. For this reason, encourage employees to report potential security incidents, reward good security practices, and foster an environment that promotes continuous learning and development. Develop a feedback loop to address reported incidents, provide timely feedback, and incorporate lessons learned into ongoing training and awareness programmes.
6. Implement Strict Access Controls
Strict access controls, such as the least privilege principle, must be implemented to make sure that employees only have access to the data and systems required for their tasks. To lessen the possible impact of insider threats, periodically assess and revoke superfluous access. privileges.
7. Conduct Periodic Security Assessments and Testing
Scan for vulnerabilities and conduct penetration tests regularly to detect security flaws in your systems and software. Conducting assessments regularly helps find security holes and patch them before hackers exploit them. Make sure the results of audits inform efforts to strengthen security and better educate staff.
The Bottom Line: From Cybersecurity Mistakes to Solutions
Human error remains a persistent challenge in the realm of cybersecurity. While it’s a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, it can be prevented and overcome. By knowing and understanding the common mistakes humans make and their impact on security, organisations can develop effective strategies to mitigate human error and enhance overall cybersecurity.
That said, it’s also important to note that not all employees are cybersecurity experts or at least knowledgeable about how breaches happen, and not all businesses can handle cybersecurity on their own.
Through a combination of a robust, comprehensive security plan, machine-intelligent security solutions, and a culture of cybersecurity awareness, it’s possible to mitigate the risks associated with human error and build a stronger defence against cyber threats. Organisations and small businesses can significantly enhance their cyber defences.
Hexicor believes that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and by avoiding these deadly mistakes, we can collectively contribute to a safer digital environment.
Stay vigilant and invest in robust security measures to combat common but deadly cybersecurity mistakes
Contact Hexicor for security awareness training specifically tailored to resonate with your employees and business goals.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cybersecurity Mistakes
What are the consequences of human error in cybersecurity?
- Data breaches, unauthorised access to networks, monetary losses, reputational damage, and legal obligations are just some of the consequences that can result from human error in cybersecurity.
How can organisations mitigate the risks associated with human error?
- Organisations can lessen the impact of human error by instituting measures including robust cybersecurity training programmes, well-defined security policies and processes, regular awareness campaigns, and technical safeguards.
What role does employee training play in conquering human error?
- Employee training equips employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and respond to potential cybersecurity threats, fostering a security-conscious culture within the organisation.
Can technological solutions help reduce cybersecurity mistakes caused by human error?
- Yes, technological solutions such as multi-factor authentication, automated patch management systems, email filters, and security awareness training platforms can significantly reduce the impact of human error in cybersecurity.
How often should organisations update their cybersecurity training programmes?
- Cybersecurity training programmes should be regularly updated to align with evolving threats, emerging technologies, and industry best practices. Similarly, it should aim for annual updates, but also consider conducting targeted training sessions when new risks emerge.
How can organisations improve employee awareness of cybersecurity threats?
- Organisations can improve employee awareness by providing comprehensive cybersecurity training, conducting tailored, regular awareness campaigns, and incorporating simulated phishing exercises.
What steps can individuals take to enhance their personal cybersecurity?
- Personal cybersecurity can be improved by practicing good password hygiene, being cautious of suspicious emails and links, keeping software and devices updated, using reputable antivirus software, and routinely backing up critical data.