Human risk in cyber security continues to rise, with numerous studies showing that human errors—both intentional and accidental—are a leading cause of data breaches. The human element in cyber security is a significant vulnerability, as anecdotal evidence within organisations often highlights the impact of simple errors on complex security incidents. To effectively mitigate these risks, companies must address human resource management vulnerabilities across both employees and non-employees.
This guide explores the different types of human risk within organisations and offers practical strategies to reduce these risks, focusing on building a secure and resilient workforce.
Understanding Human Risk in Cyber Security
Before implementing mitigation strategies, it’s essential to define ‘human error’ and understand how it contributes to organisational risk.
Human error generally falls into two main categories:
Oversights
Mistakes happen, and each error can significantly increase organisational risk. Common examples of oversights include an employee accidentally sending an email with sensitive data to the wrong recipient or misconfiguring a cloud-based system such as a database. Other oversights involve sharing passwords or mishandling confidential information, which can result in non-compliance, regulatory fines, and loss of customer trust.
Deception
Social engineering attacks, such as phishing emails containing malicious links or attachments, significantly amplify human risk. Similarly, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams trick employees into paying fraudulent invoices. According to the FBI’s IC3 report, BEC losses in 2020 alone totalled $1.8 billion. Whether caused by deception or unintentional mistakes, the results of human error can be catastrophic.
For further insights on strengthening your human firewall, see Building a Human Firewall, which emphasises the critical role of employee training and awareness in preventing cyber security incidents.
Five Strategies to Reduce Human Risk
Organisations can implement the following five strategies to lower human risk and improve cyber resilience:
1) Break the Cycle of the Click
Employee habits, often shaped by intuitive UI/UX design, can lead to careless actions such as clicking on malicious links. Controlled phishing simulations help staff develop cautious behaviour and reduce risky actions.
2) Build a Culture of Security
Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. By creating a people-centric security culture, organisations can address department-specific risks and ensure staff at all levels understand and contribute to reducing vulnerabilities.
3) Support Better Decision-Making
Many human errors stem from poor judgement or lack of information. For instance, research from Yubico shows that 69% of employees share passwords for convenience. Training employees on password security and enforcing two-factor authentication (2FA) significantly reduces this risk.
4) Promote Cyber Hygiene
Cyber hygiene includes best practices such as enforceable clean desk policies, timely patching of systems, monitoring for threats, and updating digital certificates. Proper hygiene not only minimises online risks but also supports compliance with standards such as ISO 27001. Effective cyber hygiene ensures human errors are identified before they are exploited.
Read more about enforcing cyber hygiene in Human Risk Management in Cyber Security.
5) Make People Part of a Layered Security Approach
Employees are often the source of risk but can also be the solution. Integrating employees and non-employees into a layered security framework ensures holistic protection across people, processes, and technology. Engaging all staff, from the CEO to new hires, helps close gaps where data leaks or security mishaps may occur.
Reducing Human Resource Management Risk
Human error and social engineering remain major threats to organisations. By fostering a strong security culture, encouraging cyber hygiene, and incorporating staff into a robust security framework, companies can significantly reduce human resource management risks. An engaged and well-informed workforce transforms human vulnerability into a strategic asset, enhancing overall cyber resilience.
Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions
To help organisations tackle human risk and improve cyber resilience, MetaCompliance offers a comprehensive suite of solutions. Our Human Risk Management Platform includes:
- Automated Security Awareness
- Advanced Phishing Simulations
- Risk Intelligence & Analytics
- Compliance Management
These solutions help organisations strengthen their security posture and reduce human-related cyber risk. Book a demo and see how your workforce can become your first line of defence.
FAQs About Human Risk Management in Cyber Security
What is human risk in cyber security?
Human risk refers to the potential for employees or non-employees to unintentionally or deliberately cause security breaches.
Why is human error a major cause of data breaches?
Studies show that mistakes, such as mis-delivered emails or sharing passwords, are involved in most data breaches.
How can phishing simulations reduce risk?
Controlled phishing tests train employees to recognise threats and reduce the likelihood of accidental clicks on malicious links.
What is cyber hygiene?
Cyber hygiene encompasses best practices like clean desk policies, timely patching, and system monitoring to prevent errors and breaches.
How does building a security culture help?
It educates employees about risks, encourages safe behaviours, and ensures all staff contribute to protecting the organisation.
Can employees be part of the solution?
Yes, engaging employees in training and security processes transforms human risk into an asset for stronger cyber resilience.