Human risk in cybersecurity refers to the vulnerabilities and threats that arise due to the actions, behaviors, or negligence of individuals within an organization.
Despite advancements in technology, human factors remain a significant source of cybersecurity challenges.
It is one of the most significant challenges faced by organizations today, as humans are often the weakest link in the security chain.
i. Types of Human Risk in Cybersecurity
There are two main types of human risk in cybersecurity:
A. Unintentional Risk: This is the most common type of human risk, and it occurs when humans make mistakes, such as clicking on a phishing link or disclosing confidential information.
B. Intentional Risk: This type of human risk is less common, but it can be more devastating. It occurs when humans intentionally act maliciously, such as stealing data or sabotaging systems.
ii. Some factors contributing to human risk in cybersecurity:
A. Phishing Attacks: These attacks occur when criminals send deceptive emails, seeking to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive data, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.
B. Weak Passwords: Many people use easily guessable passwords or reuse them across platforms, increasing the risk of account compromise.
C. Insider Threats: Sometimes, security breaches come from within the organization. Disgruntled or careless employees can unintentionally or maliciously cause significant security lapses.
D. Social Engineering: This is a technique used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into performing specific actions like sharing personal information or transferring money.
E. Lack of Training: Without proper cybersecurity awareness training, employees can unintentionally act in ways that jeopardize a company’s cyber security without even realizing it.
F. Downloading Unsafe Content: Downloading and installing unsafe content can introduce malware into an organization’s systems.
G. Physical Security: Unauthorized access to devices and networks can also pose significant risks, such as theft of devices or important documents.
iii. Key aspects of human risk in cybersecurity:
A. Phishing and Social Engineering: Phishing attacks exploit human vulnerabilities by tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information. Social engineering tactics, such as impersonation or manipulation, are often used to deceive users.
B. Insider Threats: Insider threats come from individuals within the organization, either intentionally or unintentionally causing harm. This could involve employees with malicious intent, or unintentional actions leading to security incidents.
C. Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness: Insufficient awareness and understanding of cybersecurity best practices among employees can lead to risky behaviors. This includes poor password management, falling for scams, or unknowingly downloading malicious content.
D. Weak Passwords and Authentication Practices: Human reliance on weak passwords, password reuse, and lax authentication practices can be exploited by attackers. This vulnerability is often targeted through brute force attacks or credential stuffing.
E. Unpatched Systems and Software: Failure to promptly apply security patches and updates is often attributed to human factors, such as negligence or lack of awareness. Unpatched systems can be exploited by cybercriminals.
F. Misconfigured Security Settings: Human error in configuring security settings can lead to misconfigurations that expose systems or data to unnecessary risks. This might include incorrect access controls, open ports, or improperly configured cloud services.
G. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Risks: The use of personal devices for work introduces additional human-related risks. If not properly secured, these devices can become entry points for attackers or potential sources of data breaches.
H. Poorly Managed Privileges: Mismanagement of user privileges, such as granting unnecessary access or neglecting to revoke access upon employee role changes, can lead to unauthorized access and data exposure.
I. Overlooking Security Policies: Non-compliance with established security policies may result from employees neglecting or being unaware of security guidelines. This can include policies related to data handling, remote work, or acceptable technology usage.
J. Human-Operated Ransomware Attacks: Some sophisticated ransomware attacks involve human operators who exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior to gain access to systems. This could include targeted spear-phishing campaigns.
K. Cultural and Organizational Factors: Organizational culture plays a role in cybersecurity. A culture that prioritizes security awareness, communication, and accountability is more likely to mitigate human-related risks effectively.
L. Training and Education Gaps: Lack of cybersecurity training and education can contribute to human risk. Regular training programs are essential to keep employees informed about evolving threats and best practices.
M. Communication Breakdowns: Poor communication within an organization can lead to misunderstandings or delays in responding to security incidents. Effective communication is crucial for incident response and resolution.
N. Remote Work Challenges: The shift to remote work has introduced additional human-related risks, including insecure home networks, the use of personal devices for work, and potential lapses in cybersecurity practices outside the office environment.
O. Turnover and Insider Threats: Employee turnover can introduce risks if proper offboarding procedures are not followed. Former employees may retain access or knowledge that could be exploited for malicious purposes.
iv. How to Mitigate Human Risk in Cybersecurity
There are a number of things that organizations can do to mitigate human risk in cybersecurity, including:
A. Implement zero trust: Never trust, always verify; this principle emphasizes the need to continuously verify the identity of users and devices before granting access to resources.
B. Create a culture of security: Make cybersecurity a top priority throughout the organization.
C. Use technology to automate tasks: Automate tasks that can be performed by machines, such as password resets and software updates.
D. Keep abreast of the latest threats: Stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.
E. Test your defenses: Regularly test your security defenses to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
F. Training and awareness: Employees should be trained on cybersecurity best practices, such as how to identify phishing attacks, create strong passwords, and keep software up to date.
G. Access controls: Access controls should be implemented to restrict access to sensitive data and systems to authorized personnel only.
H. Monitoring and logging: Activity on systems should be monitored and logged to identify suspicious behavior.
I. Incident response: A plan should be in place to respond to security incidents in a timely and effective manner.
By taking these steps, organizations can reduce the risk of human error and malicious action, and protect their valuable data and systems.
Addressing human risk in cybersecurity requires a comprehensive approach that combines technology, policies, and education. This includes regular training, clear communication of security policies, and the promotion of a cybersecurity-aware culture within the organization.
https://www.livingsecurity.com/blog/what-is-human-risk-management-why-should-cybersecurity-pros-care
https://www.aig.co.uk/content/dam/aig/emea/united-kingdom/documents/Insights/cyber-human-factor.pdf