There's a new hero on the block, and no, they're not Marvel or DC. In a world of ever-changing phishing attacks, data breaches, malware, ransomware, and hacking, Security Champions are the new hero every business needs.
What is a Security Champion?
The term 'security hero' has evolved over the last eight years, from the previous role that helped bridge the gap between IT development and security, to a new buzzword with a focus on mentoring and support. A modern-day security champion takes on the role of 'cheerleader' within a business, where the individual engages with other employees and encourages them to learn about and adhere to security processes and procedures.
While this champion may not have the deep level knowledge of cyber risks that a cyber security consultant may have, they know enough about current threats and best practices to answer questions and support ordinary employees in their role of protecting your business.
Most business leaders are familiar with the role of a Work Health & Safety (WHS) champion in protecting their employees and ensuring a safe work environment is maintained. Similarly, a security champion helps protect your business by empowering your employees with the tools and knowledge they need in order to maintain a secure work environment.
Why do you need a Security Champion?
Security Champions help drive a culture of cyber security in your business by adding an everyday 'human touch' to what is a daunting and complex topic. A security champion can be someone from any department, rather than specifically your head of IT or your Operations Manager.
A Security Champion acts as a reassuring presence in your business so that employees feel safe speaking to and reporting potential malicious attacks, as well as knowing when and how to escalate these risks as needed.
While formal cyber security training may be managed by a trusted third-party provider or a program administrator, Security champions are useful as additional 'troops on the ground' who motivate and encourage employees to engage with training, answer any cyber questions, and keep an 'ear to the ground' in terms of current cyber threats and employee concerns.
A Security Champion can also support third-party cyber security providers by providing insider knowledge about your business. For example, if your cyber security provider creates simulated phishing campaigns to roll out, a champion may have insider knowledge about the roles or departments to focus on, and ideas to create realistic and challenging phishing test templates.
How can you create a Security Champion?
A Security Champion, much like the WH&S champion, is a voluntary and unpaid position, however, it is beneficial to incentivise engagement with this role to encourage participation. Employees that are naturally interested in technology and cyber security may see the role of a champion as a way to grow their skillset and connect with other professionals.
Incentives for the role could be as simple as gift cards, additional leave days, or a Christmas bonus.
Once the Security Champions within your business has been selected, you may wish to invest further in cyber security training or assessments to specifically help their role, further to generic employee awareness programs. This in turn will build their interest in knowledge to then work with other employees to help them understand the importance of security.
Make all your employees Security Champions
When it comes to cyber security, it is everyone's responsibility. A culture of cyber safety needs to not only be led by 'the top' (from a Board and Executive level), but understood and actioned across every level of employee. While a Security Champion can help drive and support these initiatives, ideally all your employees should have a level of Security Champion within their roles.
Cyber Security Awareness Training for all levels of users in your organisation on cyber security awareness raises people’s vigilance on what to look for to spot a cyber security threat, as well as having the skills to safely take the appropriate action required if they do receive a malicious attempt. This ultimately ensures that all your employees are willing and able Security Champions.
Cyber security training for all levels of employees (your human firewall) is every bit as important as the other means of protection, including software, hardware and physical security practices and ensures you and your employees:
- Are comprehensively aware of cyber threats, the associated risks, and how to minimise them.
- Understand the part everyone must play in protecting your organisation and client’s data.
- Can identify cyber threats and manage them appropriately.
- Understand how to handle personal information provided by clients and partners.
- Comply with the state and federal guidelines in regard to staff cyber and data protection awareness and education.
How Diamond IT can help improve the cyber security posture of your organisation
We work with you to ensure your staff are aware of the types of ever-evolving cyber threats and equip them with knowledge on how to minimise them. Our training provides a high level of cyber and data awareness and comprehension.
Our Business Technology Consulting team are specialists in improving your internal cyber security and is ready to speak with you. Contact our team on 1300 307 907 today.
