5 Trends To Include When Designing A Security Training Course In A LMS
Learning Management Systems (LMS) can help you develop and deliver effective digital instruction content using multiple media. A crucial area to empower your team is security. Human error (and malice) often account for over 90% of security breaches in organizations. An effective security training program can help you significantly reduce security breaches due human error. But the content should be in line with regulatory requirements and reflect the current threats and security trends.
Some of the most significant security challenges facing organizations are centered on securing the new (post-pandemic) workplace. Below are five trends you can include when designing a security training course.
1. Convergence
Physical and digital security teams were previously treated as separate silos, and this caused delays and interruptions in deploying security protocols. Due to the changes in the workplace, it was evident that organizations faced new risks, and a more future-proof approach to security was needed.
One of the emerging trends to address this need was merging digital and physical security strategies - convergence. Convergence has many benefits to organizations including the following:
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Improved security posture
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Enhanced communication and knowledge-sharing
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Faster detection and response to threats.
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Improved operational efficiency and cost savings
An integrated approach means physical and digital security issues are considered one business risk. Therefore it is imperative that organizations choose security integrators to help install the right integrated security tools to facilitate physical and digital convergence. It is essential to include information on technologies that provide digital and physical security solutions in a progressive security training course.
2. Smart management with cloud-based solutions and AI
Cloud-based systems and artificial intelligence (AI) require no physical infrastructure on-site. Adopting cloud-based systems and AI is seen as a viable way to simplify the management of physical and digital security.
With cloud-based security systems and AI, security and IT teams no longer have to be on-site to manage operations. One can automate activities like regulating building access, internal movement, and updating software remotely. This also creates opportunities for security and IT teams to be more flexible. Artificial intelligence can also help in the analysis and development of crisis-response options. It gives more flexibility to security and cybersecurity teams.
Another critical benefit of AI is the application of analytics. With a remote security team and remote security administrators comes the need for faster response to security incidents. Your teams will have a wide range of responsibilities that leave them unable to consistently monitor security feed and data to detect potential security threats. By integrating AI and analytics with your integrated security system, you can automate the security screening process. The analytics system will provide your team with an alert when a threat is detected.
Once a threat is detected, you can ensure faster response by training your employees to create automated incident response workflows. These workflows will align with your existing response protocols for each type of security threat. The system will automatically assign the workflow to an available employee, allowing them to act quickly and decisively - eliminating the need for manual workflow creation and assignation. Implementing an LMS solution can streamline the process of training and development, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Staff teams will need training in IoT and other technologies that make smart management possible.
3. Zero-trust security policy
According to the 2021 IBM Cost of Data Breach Report, compromised credentials (often due to errors or identity theft) are the most common vector leading to security breaches. Fortunately, designers of security systems have gone a notch higher and developed a zero-trust security strategy.
A zero-trust security strategy assumes nil trust for anyone who wants to access data or transact in a secured system. It entails multiple authentication and access-verification steps including the following:
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Provision of minimum permissions related to job functions.
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Use of one-time passwords for multi-factor authentication.
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Authentication requirements at different transaction levels.
Zero-trust security goes far beyond the cybersecurity realm. With a remote working model, it can prevent an internal cybersecurity breach posed by a compromised device. However, if you apply zero-trust to your physical security strategy, you can ensure that no spaces within your building will be accessible to visitors, contractors, and unauthorized users with stolen access credentials.
The trust of interviewees and building visitors should not be assumed, and they should not be able to gain access to areas within your building containing sensitive data and servers. When designing your security training course in a LMS, you should ensure that all staff are aware of the need for both physical and cyber zero-trust policy.
Learning more about the zero-trust security strategy will help your team cope with the process, contain company data and protect IT systems.
4. Increase in technology that supports hybrid and remote work models
Initially, working from home was perceived as a quick-fix solution to cope with the lockdowns. But the benefits were immense, and many organizations opted to adopt flexible and hybrid work models that incorporate remote working.
However, enhanced flexibility at the workplace also triggered new complexities for security. Implementing a security strategy that addresses individual issues would be impractical and costly. To minimize such vulnerabilities, security teams deploy solutions that address different challenges arising in a remote and hybrid working environment. Some of the security measures staff will require to familiarize include the following:
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Use of certified antivirus and internet security software for remote workers’ devices.
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Centralizing storage and migrating business applications to the cloud.
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Requiring staffers to connect over VPNs.
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Using multi-factor authentication and authorization on transactions.
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Deploying organization-specific collaboration apps.
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Creating strong passwords and use of password managers
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Securing home WiFi and employee devices, and regularly updating software in employee devices.
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Need for frequent training on best practices.
5. Enhanced employee cybersecurity awareness
Speaking of frequent training, continuous awareness building is not really an emerging trend but one that is invaluable and timeless. As we mentioned in the opener, human error (and malice) often accounts for over 90% of security breaches in organizations. If sensitive information and physical security are compromised, your organization could incur enormous costs and significant reputational damage.
Employers are responsible for empowering team members to avoid security lapses.
By providing enhanced awareness of the risks and ways to avoid them, you can significantly reduce incidences of security breaches due to human error.
Your training course should impart the following:
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Recognition and avoidance of phishing scams, malware, and ransomware threats.
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Importance of updating software and security features.
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Importance of strong passwords and changing them regularly.
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Quick ways to remember best practices in cybersecurity and physical security.
One of the best ways to ensure that your employees are setting strong passwords is to implement password management software. The software solution provides a secure digital location in which your employees can store their passwords. The digital location is only accessible from a single device, and provides MFA to ensure maximum cybersecurity. Password management tools monitor the strength of your passwords, and also notify your employees when their passwords have been compromised.
Many organizations appreciate the importance of training and exceed regulatory requirements in learning and development. Frequent training enhances consciousness and empowers staffers to prevent attacks. They become your primary defense option.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, including these trends in your security training course will help it to be more relevant. By using LMS, you can make the modules more engaging, impart practical knowledge, and have an easier time managing the administrative bit.