The Human Error Risk in Cyber Security

Is The Future Cyborg?  Waking Up to the Human Error Risk in Cyber Security

By Stuart Peck, Pre-Sales Manager, ZeroDayLab

Human achievement is incredible, just look at digital technology and the internet, but people can also make mistakes.  When APTs are increasing and targeting weaknesses in staff and suppliers to overcome improved technical defences; can organisations control the risk of human fallibility or is the only answer to employ cyborgs?

Since 2012 there has been a 51% increase in security budgets, yet incidents are up 25% and financial costs of a breach are up 18% (The Global State of Information Security Survey 2014, PWC).  The importance of implementing improved security technologies is irrefutable and this is exactly why exploiting human weakness has become the lucrative path for cyber criminals from poor configuration and password management to social engineering and spear phishing.

IBM’s 2014 Cyber Security Intelligence Index cites human error as a contributing factor in 95% of incidents.  What we regularly see in businesses is an improved top-level approach employing technology, technical controls and automation but the technology is in reality just the safety net.  What is lacking is an understanding throughout organisations of the individual’s contribution to security both on and offline.  To achieve this, a top-down cyber strategy is required involving a combined focus on people, process and technology.

People as the First Line of Defence

When human error can happen even within IT teams who know best (we regularly come across admin accounts with passwords set as ‘admin’) how do you motivate your privileged insiders, staff and third party suppliers to be the first line of defence?

Current office culture creates a belief that it is IT’s role to protect the organisation, not staff members or third party suppliers.  Simple things such easy-to-guess passwords, carrying data on USBs, leaving desktops unlocked, or opening attachments may not be something people may be aware of.

Organisations winning the fight with human error have shifted their focus to processes and training in four areas:

1) People 

Regular education programmes are key; highlighting the individual’s role in security, the latest threats and how they target people (both on and offline), policies, procedures and just as importantly the consequences of human error; namely fines, reputation/brand damage and loss of business.  Tailor it to departments and roles and aim to refresh training at a minimum of every 6 month

2)  Processes 

Tighten processes and procedural controls from application implementation and administrator controls, to privileged access, data handling and also physical office security.

3) Test & Review 

Some organisations test their internal controls by sending phishing attacks to their own staff.  That way, they can identify who would benefit from further security awareness training.  Similarly physical security processes should be audited on a regular basis.

4)  Technology testing 

Applications and websites develop and change and weaknesses can appear in code and privileges.  Ensure you have a regular and frequent penetration testing plan to ensure all controls are properly in place and are keeping pace with changes in the external threat environment.

Do we need cyborgs?  While they might be the ultimate hybrid of the human and technology, we can mitigate the risk of human error with the right strategy.  To err is human; people, process and technology is the divine.

We ask this question to you; How do you motivate your users (and other binding parties) to be the first line of defence/IT Security conscious? 

Click here for the full article at Computer Security Magazine