Blog
The CybSafe blog is a collection of stories, updates and guidance for people-centric security professionals.
How to write like CybSafe
A guide to our tone of voice Before we get started, a warning: You’ll probably find this guide hard to read. That’s because you’re human. Humans find everything hard to read. Books, product guides, blogs, and flat-pack furniture manuals (top of the list). They're all...
Why feedback is the missing puzzle piece in your cyber security strategy.
Feedback is important in all walks of life. It can be what takes you from being good to excellent, as a leader, a colleague, or friend. We are often reluctant to give or receive feedback. What’s holding people back from sharing their thoughts? We don't tell the...
Why the average person’s cyber security knowledge should worry you
You didn’t remember! You arrive at school and realise you have an exam you’ve forgotten about. You haven’t attended any of the classes, completed the reading, and definitely didn’t prepare. Sound familiar? This is the recurring “final exam” dream. It’s one of those...
Supercharge security awareness training with this age-old technique
People have been using stories to pass on information for over 4,000 years. Integrating stories into security awareness training increases the chances of people remembering information, and relaying it to loved ones. We use story-style training at CybSafe. Below...
Does the thought of managing human cyber risk keep you up at night? You’ve come to the right place!
Many things in life can be measured. Our height, the distance we ran, how short our last relationship was… It’s no different when it comes to cyber security. Human-cyber risk can be measured. But where do you begin? Pull up a chair and grab a snack, let’s explore the...
Top 4 types of security awareness training – and the pros and cons of each
Generally speaking, traditional security awareness training is delivered in one of four ways: 1. Classroom-based training program2. Visual aids (including video)3. Through simulated attacks4. Computer-based training Resource challenges and environmental contexts often...
The top cyber security attitudes and behaviours of 2021 you need to know about
Houston, we have a problem. For too long, we’ve neglected the most integral element of cyber security… people. There’s been a lack of understanding about how personal habits affect cyber security. Whether you have a tendency to procrastinate, take risks or always...
How to make your security awareness training more effective
In the UK alone, 39% of companies have fallen victim to a cyber breach or attack over the past year. Organisations face a host of consequences when their systems are hacked. For starters, the average financial cost of a cyber breach to British firms is $3.88 million!...
What exactly is security awareness?
Did you know that most cyber breaches occur due to human error? That’s because most people aren’t aware of the cyber security threats that put themselves and their organisations at risk! Without basic security awareness, we're more likely to click on phishing links or...
Why language matters in cyber security
Language is at the heart of communication. Every time we speak or write, we choose language appropriate to our audience to get our desired message across. Why should it be any different in cyber security? Yet, the cyber security industry has a problem. Too often,...
Why are healthcare organisations targets for cyber attacks?
Healthcare services are under pressure. The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched them to their limit. As if the strains of a pandemic weren’t enough, healthcare organisations have also been subject to cyber attacks. We’d like to think our healthcare services are immune to...
The Internet of Things and cyber security: what are the risks?
In today's society, we are more interconnected than ever before. The devices we use are linked in unprecedented ways. A big factor behind this is the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT). It brings internet connectivity to a range of devices. From watches and phones...
Is your digital footprint making you prone to attacks?
Every time you access the internet you leave a data trail that contributes to your “digital footprint”. Each of us has a digital footprint. It’s the accumulation of our online data produced over time. Together, this data creates a rich picture of our habits and...
Why disciplining human error doesn’t work when it comes to cyber security
Nobody likes being punished. So why are we so quick to punish those who fall victim to cyber-attacks? A recent study by CybSafe found 4 in 10 organisations choose to discipline staff who make cyber security errors. There’s no doubt we need to respond when such...
Ransomware attack on the Irish Health Service Executive
Last week, the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) suffered a cyber attack which forced a temporary shutdown of its IT systems. This caused huge disruption across the service. Following the attack, patients’ personal and medical information was shared online and a...
Personalising cybersecurity in the workplace
Most cyber security solutions take a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone gets the same training and the same simulated phishing emails. Yet, we all respond to cyber threats in different ways. Our personalities and differences often play a key role in how we act. For...
Burnout in the tech industry
We need to talk about burnout. Sadly, it’s something most of us will be all too familiar with, particularly in the tech industry. A post-pandemic study revealed 62% of cyber security professionals found their role stressful. This year, the lines between work and home...
How does personality influence your cyber risk?
People are central to cyber security. Empowered with the right skills and tools, people can protect themselves and their organisations from cyber attack. But people aren’t all the same. Each of us has our own personality. And studies show links between our...
How to build good cyber security habits
We are all creatures of habit. Some habits we’d rather get rid of. But others can be beneficial. When it comes to cyber security, building good habits is essential. By building better security behaviour into our lives, we reduce our cyber risk. So how do we go about...
Three approaches to help you stay secure with remote working
The way we work is changing. Our approach to cyber security needs to change too. Remote working is here to stay. Even when we reach the day where workplaces open their doors again, things won’t be as they were. CybSafe will be joining a growing list of...
The 4 key factors for a successful phishing simulation
Phishing attacks are a problem. Over the past year, 88% of professionals reported an increase in phishing attacks. It can happen to anyone, at any time. For many, the go-to solution to this problem is a simulated phishing attack. But for this to be a success, it has...