Understanding the Human Firewall

If you’re looking for a simple definition, the human firewall refers to the collective awareness, knowledge, and behavior of employees regarding cybersecurity. It’s the idea that well-trained and vigilant staff can act as a powerful defense against cyber threats, complementing technical security measures. Here’s why this is so important: 95% of breaches are the result of human error. But while your employees – your “humans” — may be the greatest threat to your data security, they could also be your greatest asset. Look at it this way: While all the technology you employ (email filters, firewalls, data loss prevention) alleviate the symptoms of a threat, they do nothing to address the actual cause. Until you directly address that root cause  – human behavior – and do something to change it, you’re left cleaning up the inevitable damage.

Why the Human Element is So Important

Here are just a few of the way people can outperform technology when it comes to protecting your organization from cyber threats.

• First Line of Defense: Employees are often the first to encounter potential threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious links. A strong human firewall can prevent many attacks before they even reach technical security systems.
• Adaptability: While traditional firewalls and antivirus software may struggle to keep up with evolving threats, humans can adapt quickly to new types of attacks when properly educated.
• Context-Aware Decision Making: Humans can recognize contextual clues that automated systems might miss, helping to identify social engineering attempts or unusual behavior patterns.

And there is real-world impact: It’s been proven that organizations with strong human firewalls have reported significant improvements in their overall security posture. For instance, one study found that companies with comprehensive security awareness programs were 70% less likely to experience a significant security incident.

How to Build Your Human Firewall

To create a robust human firewall, organizations should focus on:

• Comprehensive Training: Regular, engaging cybersecurity training sessions that cover the latest threats and best practices.
• Simulated Attacks: Conducting mock phishing campaigns and other simulated attacks to test and improve employee responses.
• Clear Policies and Procedures: Establishing and communicating clear guidelines for handling sensitive information and responding to potential threats.
• Fostering a Security-Conscious Culture: Encouraging employees to prioritize security in their daily activities and feel comfortable reporting suspicious incidents.

Some Additional Considerations

There are a couple of other specific things to keep in mind when creating your human firewall:

• Utilize MFA or 2FA. Multi-Factor or 2-Factor Authentication as account access methods are helpful in strengthening the human firewall and giving individuals another layer of protection.
• Managing personal devices used for work. Personal devices might be more susceptible to malware and cyber-attacks, as they may not be outfitted with the necessary security tools. So, if you are allowing employees to use their own devices for work, it is critical that you have strict guidelines in place to secure your organization’s data. Require your staff to always keep their devices updated.

Humans to the Rescue!

By following these guidelines, there’s no reason why your organization’s human firewall can’t be a sturdy and reliable guard against the vast landscape of impending threats on the other side. Just remember what I said at the beginning: When it comes to security, your employees can be your greatest vulnerability or your strongest asset. The choice is yours to make!