8 Ways to Reduce Employee Cybercrimes
Strategies On How to Prevent Cybercrimes.
By Jessica Fender , Guest Blogger –
Cybersecurity is a major concern for companies of all types. There are hackers and tech-savvy intruders who want to access and steal confidential data, to harm your business. But, there’s also the risk of your employees carrying out cybercrimes against your company. This trend has especially increased since the COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to send their employees to work remotely.
Given that, what can you do to prevent employees from committing cybercrimes? If you’re not sure, just keep reading. We’ve got some answers and strategies for you. Here are 8 surefire ways to reduce cybercrimes committed by employees.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Educate Employees on Cybersecurity
Even though employees can be potential hackers or cyber attackers, you should educate all employees on reducing cybersecurity threats within your company. This helps reinforce the message that cybersecurity is important to your organization and employees know they are being monitored.
Make sure to regularly train and educate employees and staff on cybersecurity risks, safety, tools, and resources. By doing this, employees will learn the following:
- They are being monitored.
- The organization is taking action to stop cybersecurity.
- They have the tools to help protect the company.
If you regularly educate employees about cybersecurity, they should feel less confident about trying to commit a cybercrime.
2. Limit Employee Access
Take action to limit employee access to company data and confidential information. You should also limit access to files and documents not needed to perform daily tasks. For example, an employee in the finance department should only have access to finance-related documents and resources and not legal, human resources, sales, or marketing materials.
By limiting employee access to non-essential information, you can minimize damage if someone attempts to hack or steal data. With less access, less damage can be done.
3. Update Your Security Systems
Cybercrime is an everchanging field with new types of breaches and attacks happening every day. For this reason, organizations need to stay updated and consistent in improving security systems.
If you stick to specific security solutions for too long, malicious employees will have an easier time breaking through. Therefore, you should:
- Explore new cybersecurity technology.
- Update existing systems regularly.
- Try to expose any weaknesses in your own systems.
Keep security systems current is a must. Stay up to date with the latest findings, tools, and protection strategies.
4. Track Employee Computer Activity
Cybercrimes committed by employees can easily happen within the office from a company computer. It’s very important that you set clear rules about who has access to which computers, servers, and data.
Make it clear to employees they are only allowed to access equipment or devices needed for their job function. In this case, you should do the following:
- Monitor employee computers.
- Track employee activity.
- Monitor employee access to equipment and devices.
If you notice anything suspicious, immediately investigate the activity.
5. Set Clear Company Policies
It is important to establish clear rules and expectations with current employees. And, from the moment you recruit and hire someone, they also need to be trained.
Company cybersecurity policy needs to strictly and clearly define the following:
- Rules that employees need to follow.
- Activities employees must not commit.
- Potential consequences when rules are broken.
It is important to document these things and make that policy document available to all employees, which each person should read and sign. This way, you will have compliance documented and will have a back-up if someone claims ignorance later.
6. Outsource Cybersecurity
If your organization’s cybersecurity prevention resources are limited, you could outsource. This might help improve security given that outsourced companies are independent and unbiased.
If cybersecurity is managed by someone inside the company, there is a risk of internal corruption or collusion. However, outsourcing has its benefits, which include:
- Objectivity – no bias or emotions
- Latest technologies and constant monitoring
Also, if employees know that cybersecurity and monitoring is outsourced, employees should feel additional pressure not knowing who is in charge of preventing cybersecurity attacks.
7. Don’t Forget Former Employees
Don’t forget to consider the actions of former employees who may still have access to sensitive data that could be used in a cyberattack.
Make sure that former employees have access to data, equipment and systems removed immediately upon resigning or exit.
8. Ongoing Credibility Assessment
Where local statutes allow, conducting credibility assessment (lie detector) testing for pre-employment screening or with current employees on a regular basis is a viable way to send the message that inappropriate or criminal behavior will be discovered. Behavior can be changed where systems and processes are put in place.
EyeDetect is a non-invasive, next-generation solution that detects deception with 88% accuracy. Tests take 15 to 30 minutes and test results are available within 5 minutes post-test.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is a major concern for all companies, regardless of the nature of their business. When employees can and have created data and system breaches, you can’t afford to hope for the best. The 8 tips can effectively help reduce or prevent cybercrimes committed by employees.
Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger at GetGoodGrade, an aggregator for useful college resources and websites. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.
Photo by /Rodion Kutsaev
