Cyber security awareness online course

FAQs

Why is cyber security important?

Cyber security is important because the threats of cyber-attacks are increasing daily.

Organizations can suffer significant losses if their IT systems are halted as a result of cyber attacks.

Individuals too are at risk of online identity theft, loss of money or blackmail as hackers target the most vulnerable and least protected.

Why do we need cyber security?

Without cyber security, both businesses and individuals are at risk of suffering potentially catastrophic systems failure, leading to potentially existential losses. Cyber security refers to several things including:

• the awareness of the threats;
• the execution of appropriate countermeasures (both technical and non-technical);
• the implementation and monitoring of threat detection; and
• the setting up and monitoring of organizational policies and procedures for cyber security.

What cyber threats are there?

There are many varied cyber threats today. Some of the most common include:

• Hacking – the penetration of computer networks for malicious purposes;
• Phishing – obtaining computer log in details, usually by a combination of trickery and exploitation of normal human interactions;
• Viruses – the passing on of malicious software programs, via common communication methods and devices including email and USB devices;
• Trojans and malware – the lurking of malicious programs on web sites which infect devices when they access those web sites.

Why is cyber security awareness important for employees?

Cyber security awareness is important for employees because if their organization suffers a catastrophic cyberattack, the employees may not have a job any longer.

One way for organizations to mitigate the risks posed by cyber attacks is to make employees aware of cyber security. Cyber security awareness helps employees understand their obligations to help prevent cyber attacks and to keep the organization free from attack.

Why should staff take cyber security awareness training?

All staff in every organization should attend cyber security awareness training. Such training helps employees understand the current nature of cyber security threats and ways in which each employee can take steps in their everyday work to help prevent the organization falling victim to such attacks.