How Businesses in the South West can Build a Human Firewall

When it comes to cyber resilience, your business’ protocols and technology is only half the battle. The real power lies within your people. Your employees are your first and last line of defence against cybercrime, and that’s why building a human firewall should be at the centre of your organisation’s cyber resilience strategy.

Most businesses across the South West already know the importance of awareness training. Regular updates on phishing, ransomware, and social media conduct are now the norm; but criminals are always evolving, and they’re getting smarter about how they target organisations.

Recently, attackers have started focusing on something less technical but just as powerful: human emotion. In particular, they’re looking to exploit unhappy and disgruntled employees.

Unhappy staff can be especially vulnerable to manipulation, and criminals know this. Criminals are using social engineering tactics that appeal to frustration or ambition, promising promotions, pay rises and even “financial freedom” in exchange for one small favour. This is a dangerous game, and one that every business should be aware of.

So, how can businesses across the South West strengthen their human firewall and protect both their people and their data?

1.      Look after each other

A team that feels supported is a reliant one. When employees feel valued, listened to, and part of a positive culture, they are far less likely to be tempted or manipulated by outside influences. Good communication and wellbeing initiatives can go a long way in reducing cyber threats.

2.      Be vigilant

Encourage everyone to look out for red flags such as messages that feel out of character, requests for confidential information, or offers that sound too good to be true. The earlier potential threats are spotted, the faster they can be stopped.

3.      Don’t act on emotion

Criminals often rely on putting pressure, urgency, or emotional manipulation on their targets to get results. Remind staff to pause before reacting and verify information and double-check any request that feels unusual.

4.      Listen to your employees

Make it easy for your employees to speak up if something doesn’t feel right whether it’s a suspicious email or a workplace concern. The more comfortable your employees are, the lower the risk will be of them falling victim to an attack that could affect your entire business. Collaboration between managers, HR and IT is key to identifying risks early and supporting staff effectively.

Final thoughts

Building a human firewall is just as important as building a technological firewall. It’s not just about training your team to spot potential threats; it’s about creating a culture of trust and responsibility throughout your entire organisation. By taking care of your people, you’re not just protecting them, you’re protecting your business’ assets, processes, and operations.

The South West Cyber Resilience Centre is here for SMOs and charities in the South West who want to kickstart their journey to cyber resilience. You can join us today for free to receive expert advice, fully funded services, and helpful resources straight from professionals in the industry. If you’re already a member and you think you may have been a victim of a cyber incident, then please contact us and we will point you in the correct direction!