In the current scenario, digital security awareness is important for companies of all sizes and segments . In an increasingly connected world, companies face increasing risks of cyber attacks that can compromise their sensitive data, their operations and even their corporate reputation .
Reports indicate that in Brazil, the number of cyber attacks has increased exponentially in recent years , with a 70% increase in the third quarter of 2024 alone (data from Solo Iron , Solo Network's cybersecurity vertical). Estimates show that, in a global context, financial losses caused by cybercrimes are expected to exceed 10 trillion dollars by 2025.
Faced with this challenging scenario, awareness emerges as a key element in protecting companies against digital threats . To this end, training and awareness initiatives help to significantly reduce these risks, transforming your employees into allies in the organization's defense.
The evolution of digital threats in the corporate environment
The trajectory of digital threats is directly related to technological evolution . To understand this context, it is necessary to observe how attacks have evolved over time. In the 90s and 2000s, attacks were generally aimed at systems and infrastructure, using viruses that infected devices indiscriminately. However, with the advancement of connectivity, the scenario began to change. These attacks become more sophisticated , targeting not only systems but also corporate networks.
In recent years, cybercriminals' approaches have changed drastically . Today, people are the main targets, suffering increasingly personalized attacks. Strategies like phishing and social engineering exploit human vulnerabilities , such as lack of attention or knowledge of security best practices.
This shift has occurred primarily because, while systems can be secured with advanced technology, people remain the weakest link in the security chain. Given this, a critical question arises: how to protect employees? This highlights the urgent need to educate and raise awareness among employees about the risks present in the digital environment within companies. After all, understanding this evolution is essential for planning more effective defense actions.
In this sense, it is important to highlight the benefits of awareness initiatives. Organizations that invest in awareness are able to not only mitigate risks but also create a security culture that permeates all organizational levels.
Main types of cyber attacks highlighted
Cyberattacks are diverse and vary in complexity and impact caused. For example, among the most common approaches is phishing , a strategy that uses fraudulent emails or messages to trick victims into gaining access to sensitive data. According to studies by Security Leaders , 90% of successful cyber attacks begin with a phishing email.
Additionally, ransomware is another attack on the rise , in which cybercriminals hijack company data and demand a financial ransom for release. Consequently, this approach can paralyze operations and cause millions in losses, in addition to, as expected, compromising customer trust and the company's image in the market.
Therefore, the diversity of methods used by cybercriminals highlights the need for a multifaceted and robust approach to protection. In this context, investing in training and awareness is one of the smartest ways to minimize the effectiveness of these approaches, ensuring the company's resilience.
Phishing
Phishing stands out as one of the most common attack tactics, mainly due to its simplicity and high success rate. In this context, cybercriminals send fraudulent messages that simulate legitimate communications from trusted companies, such as banks or suppliers, with the aim of deceiving their recipients.
For example , according to security firm Web 3 Scan Sniffer , around 10,800 victims were affected by phishing attacks in September alone. Additionally, a phishing attack using a permission signature managed to siphon R$12,083 Spark Wrapped Ethereum tokens, worth $34.43 million.
Given these numbers, we can see how alarming the financial impact of phishing is. To further illustrate the seriousness of the situation, according to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach , Brazilian companies spend an average of R$6.75 million on a data breach. However, in the case of phishing attacks, the average cost reaches R$7.75 million per offense.
Social engineering: how hackers exploit human and psychological vulnerabilities
engineering is an attack strategy that exploits human behavior to gain unauthorized data or access to a system. Instead of directly attacking technological resources, cybercriminals take advantage of flaws such as trust, fear or urgency to manipulate their victims.
For example, a very common approach involves messages or phone calls posing as technical support or representatives from trusted institutions. In these situations, urgent scenarios are developed so that the victim feels pressured to act without thinking, such as providing passwords or transferring amounts.
This tactic is extremely effective because it uses human psychology itself as a tool. Furthermore, through the combination of a social engineering and phishing strategy, cybercriminals managed to invade the Integrated Financial Administration System (Siafi) , causing losses of 15 million reais in 2024 .
Faced with this threat, to combat social engineering, it is necessary to create an organizational culture that promotes a process of healthy distrust and continuous questioning of unexpected requests. In this sense, training employees to identify signs of manipulation and report incidents can help to significantly reduce the risks of this approach.
Ransomware: The growing threat and direct impacts on company operations
Ransomware is an approach that has been gaining prominence in the midst of digital threats . According to a study carried out by Apura Cyber Intelligence , ransomware remains among the biggest cybersecurity threats today. This is because it combines financial extortion with operational disruption , cybercriminals hijack corporate information and systems, demanding payment to release access.
Furthermore, the financial impact caused by these attacks has reached record levels. For example, according to a report developed by Cyber Security Ventures , ransomware will cost its victims around 265 billion dollars annually by 2031 , considering the current cost of 42 billion dollars . These numbers make clear the need to combat this threat more effectively.
In this context, combating these risks is done through a proactive approach . Among the most effective measures are performing frequent backups and regular system updates. Additionally, the use of advanced detection tools and employee awareness are essential to prevent initial infections.
The role of human errors in security incidents
Studies show that employees' lack of knowledge is one of the main causes of security breaches. For example, a recent report from the World Economic Forum revealed that 95% of cybersecurity problems are caused by human error .
In this sense, the lack of knowledge about digital security is one of the main factors that contribute to these errors. This is because employees who do not understand the seriousness of the threats and the impact they can have on the company become more likely to fall for scams and adopt risky behaviors.
Given this scenario, combating these vulnerabilities is done through investment in continuing education and training of employees to recognize and avoid the most common pitfalls. Furthermore, implementing processes such as multifactor authentication can make a big difference.
Alarming statistics that reinforce the need for awareness
The statistics related to cyber incidents are worrying and demonstrate the urgency in raising employee awareness. For example, the second edition of the Digital Security Barometer , a survey carried out by Mastercard and Instituto Datafolha , revealed that 64% of companies in Brazil are targets of fraud and digital attacks with medium or high frequency.
On the other hand, organizations that prioritize the education of their employees record a reduction of up to 70% in approaches related to phishing and malware. This data highlights how awareness can be a powerful tool in preventing attacks.
Furthermore, the cost of recovery after an incident is also high. To make matters worse, the average time to recover data after a breach often exceeds what insurance policies cover, causing additional losses for companies . Therefore, these data reinforce the need to implement preventive actions, such as employee training and robust policies.
Benefits of Awareness Training
Employee training offers broad benefits for companies. Firstly, in addition to reducing the number of cyber incidents, these approaches promote a culture of security and strengthen organizational defenses. In this way, by training employees, the company transforms what was previously a vulnerability into a strategic line of defense.
Additionally, the more trained employees are, the easier it will be to identify signs of threat, such as fraudulent emails. Another important point is that strengthening trust between teams and stakeholders is another significant benefit, also improving the organization's reputation in the market.
Finally, adopting regular training programs not only protects your company's internal systems, it also prevents fines and recovery costs associated with incidents.
Strengthening organizational security
Digital security awareness transforms employees into strategic allies for the company. For example, when well trained, they recognize threats more easily, considerably reducing the risk of incidents.
According to recent data, a 2023 report from Cofense found that companies that implement awareness programs reduce the attack surface by up to 40%. This data demonstrates how training initiatives can bring significant results.
Furthermore, awareness provides a more resilient work environment. practices such as using strong passwords and checking links reduce the chances of security breaches.
Finally, the integration of digital security into organizational culture allows you to align everyday practices with long-term strategies, ensuring greater protection and sustainability for operations.
Increased productivity and trust between teams
Digital security awareness also has direct impacts on productivity . For example, companies that experience fewer disruptions caused by cyber incidents are able to maintain more efficient and stable operations.
Furthermore, well-trained employees deal better with risk situations, avoiding panic or errors at critical moments. This preparation is essential, as the confidence gained is reflected in the agility of making safe decisions and the reduction of rework caused by these incidents.
As a result, teams prepared to face threats collaborate in a more integrated way, creating an organizational environment with more harmony and cooperation. In this way, digital security ceases to be an exclusive concern of the IT sector and becomes a collective effort.
Alignment with data protection regulations
We know that the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) was recently published, which brought rules so that companies can protect their information more efficiently. In this context, awareness and digital security are essential pillars for compliance with regulations, such as LGPD and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
Furthermore, these regulations require companies to adopt secure practices when handling personal information, ensuring that employees are trained to prevent leaks. Otherwise, failure to comply with these laws could result in significant fines and reputational damage to the company.
Therefore, implementing regular training helps ensure that employees understand legal guidelines and know how to apply them in their routines. For example, sensitive data protection practices and appropriate incident responses are approaches that help companies stay protected.
How to Structure an Effective Awareness Program
Structuring an effective awareness program is a strategy that requires careful planning and execution. First, it is necessary to define clear objectives, such as reducing the number of incidents or increasing the cyber threat recognition rate.
Steps to Developing a Robust Training Program
Developing a robust awareness program requires planning and alignment with the organization's needs. Defining clear objectives is the first step, so the company must determine measurable goals for an appropriate strategy.
The program must include a detailed schedule with regular training, frequent updates and open channels for questions and feedback. This continuity in the process ensures that employees are always prepared to face new threats.
Initial assessment: understanding weaknesses
Initial diagnosis is a critical component of this process. In this sense, tools help to identify weaknesses in the organization and allow the development of targeted and relevant content.
Furthermore, each company has specific needs, which makes it essential to carry out detailed diagnoses and analyzes of internal vulnerabilities. Only in this way is it possible to develop a personalized training program, capable of fully meeting the demands of the business.
To achieve this objective, a mapping of target audiences , considering that different areas of the company have specific needs and vulnerabilities. For example, the sales team, for example, may need guidance on protecting customer data, while the finance sector should focus on avoiding social engineering scams.
Furthermore, it is also necessary to implement tools aimed at measuring the current level of employee awareness. This way, the company will be able to personalize its training program, correcting knowledge gaps and eliminating vulnerabilities presented by employees.
Objective Setting: Identify clear goals for the program
The starting point for a successful awareness program is setting clear, measurable objectives . In this sense, the company must identify which goals it wants to achieve, such as increasing security knowledge, reducing internal incidents or greater adherence to organizational policies. These objectives, therefore, act as a guide for planning and help to measure the effectiveness of the program over time.
Furthermore, it is essential to align these objectives with the organization’s needs and priorities. For example, a company in the financial sector may prioritize the protection of sensitive data , while a manufacturing organization may focus on preventing breaches that harm operational flow. Therefore, by establishing these goals in a specific and strategic way, the awareness program becomes an indispensable tool for risk mitigation .
Target audience mapping: Personalize content for different areas of the company
Each department in a company faces specific challenges and risks, which therefore makes mapping target audiences . This process, in turn, consists of identifying the most vulnerable areas or areas that require the most attention, such as IT, finance and human resources. Based on this analysis, the program content can be customized to address real situations faced by each team, increasing the relevance and effectiveness of training .
For example, training for IT staff might cover topics such as protection against cyber attacks and secure data management practices. For the administrative sector, the focus may be on identifying phishing attacks and the safe use of devices. Thus, this personalization not only increases engagement, but also ensures that all employees receive information directly applicable to their work routines .
Construction of dynamic and engaging content
Creating dynamic materials that engage employees is one of the pillars of an effective awareness program. In fact, content often fails to capture attention and promote behavioral changes , which makes it necessary to use more dynamic tools that help employees understand what is being said without, however, making the approach tiring.
One of the most effective strategies to overcome this challenge is investing in varied formats , such as attack simulations, explanatory videos and interactive workshops. These approaches, in turn, make learning more memorable and practical , making it easier to apply in everyday life.
Furthermore, it is necessary to adapt the materials to different levels of technical understanding. This way, employees with less familiarity with technological resources can also benefit from simplified materials, while IT teams can explore more complex aspects. Finally, it is important to include real examples to show the relevance of digital security, helping to connect training to reality and increase participant adherence .
Continuous training and regular updates
Digital threats evolve along with technology, which means that training becomes obsolete very quickly. Carrying out a single training program is not enough to guarantee long-term protection within the company, it is necessary to update the content regularly , incorporating new trends and technologies.
Continuous training also allows the company to incorporate feedback from employees , adjusting materials as needs arise. This approach to the program ensures greater engagement .
Furthermore, continuity reinforces learning and helps turn good security practices into a habit. Periodic simulations allow you to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and identify opportunities for improvement. By authorizing constant updating, companies ensure that their employees are always prepared to face challenges, strengthening the organization's resilience .
Measuring results and strategic adjustments
Measuring the results of an awareness program is essential to evaluate its impact and results . Performance indicators, such as incidence reduction and threat identification, are aspects that help measure the results of initiatives and implement improvements.
Responses from simulations , periodic incident reports, and training adherence provide valuable data to implement adjustments and strategies. For example, if many contributors still fail phishing simulations, the content can be renewed and revised to more deeply address this weakness.
It is important to consider the financial impact of the training program, comparing the cost of implementation with the expenses avoided due to the reduction in successful attacks. In this way, the company is able to demonstrate the return on investment of the implemented initiatives and guarantee the participation of employees.
This assessment process must happen continuously, as threats change, as do organizational needs. Keeping the program updated is essential to ensure its long-term effectiveness and relevance.
Leadership as a pillar for a safety culture
Leadership plays the central role in promoting a digital security culture . Clear and frequent communication from managers about the importance of safety allows employees to feel more engaged and motivated to implement good practices.
An example of this is the active participation of leaders in training programs . In addition to demonstrating senior management's commitment to the topic, this participation encourages employees at all hierarchical levels.
To complement this approach, managers can promote initiatives that reinforce shared responsibility . Reporting suspicious behavior and implementing policies that encourage communication contribute to creating a safer environment.
Digital security must be positioned as an organizational priority, so that leadership reduces risks but also strengthens internal and external trust . As a result, security becomes a competitive differentiator.
Examples of actions led by managers
Everyone's role is fundamental within the company's safety culture. When leaders actively promote good security practices, they instill greater confidence and encourage employees to prioritize data protection.
Clear and frequent communication about the importance of digital security is one of the most effective actions. This communication can be carried out through meetings, information panels and corporate emails , reinforcing good practices and warning about new threats. Maintaining direct contact helps keep the topic in the spotlight and demonstrates commitment from all members of the company.
Engaged leaders can also establish safety goals and indicators for their teams. The integration of digital security into the company's objectives demonstrates the alignment between its strategy and day-to-day practices, consolidating a culture of continuous and effective protection.
Fostering shared responsibility
Digital security is a collective responsibility , and the engagement of all company employees is necessary for this process to deliver results. When each individual understands their role in protecting data and systems, the company becomes stronger and more resilient in the face of threats.
To reinforce this idea, it is necessary to highlight to teams that safety is everyone’s responsibility. From sending a simple email to using company devices, each action can help protect or expose the company to threats. Awareness programs must continually address this topic, promoting collaboration and eliminating the view that security is an exclusive aspect of the IT department.
Implementing clear policies for reporting suspicious behavior is also essential. To achieve this, it is necessary to create a confidential communication channel that allows employees to report incidents, such as unauthorized access and fraudulent emails. This encourages employees to act proactively when identifying problems, avoiding losses caused by cyber threats.
It is important to highlight to all members of the company that these reports do not result in reprisals . To achieve this, it is necessary to implement and strengthen policies that protect whistleblowers and promote internal trust , ensuring that employees feel comfortable contributing to the organization's security.
Promoting regular campaigns that emphasize shared responsibility is essential to strengthen the sense of belonging . A culture where each employee understands that their contribution is vital can bring countless benefits to organizations.
Common barriers to implementing an awareness program
Implementing digital security and awareness programs is a process that can face some challenges. These barriers can hinder employee adherence and the effectiveness of initiatives, and it is important to identify them to develop strategies that help overcome them.
Employee resistance is one of the main difficulties. Many employees end up seeing these training as additional tasks and not as something essential, which can lead to demotivation and low participation rates. The lack of integration with the work routine is another obstacle to be considered. Extensive and impractical training can interrupt workflow and cause productivity losses.
Without strategic planning and adequate resources , initiatives can end up becoming superficial and ineffective, preventing the implementation of a safety culture and causing losses for the company.
Strategies for overcoming challenges
To overcome these barriers, it is important to adopt practical and personalized approaches , considering the profile of employees and the company's needs. The integration of training with the daily work flow is essential, allowing employees to complete the modules in just a few minutes.
communicating the benefits of training is also extremely important. It is necessary to show how the practices learned protect not only the company, but also the personal information of employees , helping to maintain engagement.
Gamification is a strategy that has brought many benefits to the implementation of training of this type in the corporate environment . The use of quizzes, rewards and ranks makes learning engaging and increases participant engagement. It is important that managers demonstrate commitment and also participate in initiatives, in order to motivate their team to follow suit.
Strategic partnerships with training providers
Working with providers who specialize in developing cybersecurity and awareness training can streamline your program implementation. These partners already have the experience and resources necessary to develop personalized solutions aligned to the needs of each company.
The biggest benefit of this partnership is the personalization of content , which allows unique challenges to be addressed for each organization, including examples from the sector and realistic simulations that reflect the most relevant threats.
Specialized providers also use advanced technologies, such as interactive platforms and artificial intelligence . This approach can deliver more dynamic and effective learning experiences, increasing engagement and results.
Another great benefit of investing in external partnerships is that they free up your team to work more directly on what is really important for the business. This way, when experts ensure that training is conducted effectively, your company will not suffer a loss in productivity .
Awareness as a competitive differentiator
Faced with a scenario where digital security is increasingly critical, companies that prioritize awareness end up standing out in the market. Taking a proactive approach allows security to be strengthened and the company's reputation to be improved in the market.
Positioning digital security as a priority within your organization is an approach that demonstrates responsibility and commitment. In addition to improving the organization's image among customers, partners and employees, this generates trust and strengthens long-term relationships.
In short, companies that invest in awareness often become references in their sectors. Customers and stakeholders recognize the value of organizations that take digital security seriously. By turning awareness into a competitive differentiator, companies strengthen their defenses, increase market confidence and consolidate their position as leaders in digital security .
Awareness as a shared responsibility
It is important to understand that digital security is not just a technological issue , it is a shared responsibility that starts with everyone's awareness. In an environment where threats are increasingly sophisticated, investing in training programs is essential to protect the company and its sensitive data.
Continuous awareness turns your employees into strategic allies , reducing risks and improving the organization's reputation. Furthermore, this process promotes intangible benefits, such as increasing internal and external trust and improving the company's positioning.
resilient and innovative workplace . Implement an awareness program in your organization and protect the future of your business .
