--- title: Your Greatest Cybersecurity Risk Is Also the Secret to Reducing Your Company’s Vulnerability description: Internet-connected computers experience cyber attacks every 39 seconds. And if you think only large businesses are targeted, think again. Learn more now. image: https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/ezgif-4-4d98a7970b.webp --- - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![AxcetHR Solutions Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png)](https://www.axcethr.com/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Corporate Philantropy](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/corporate-philanthropy/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Values and Culture](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/values-and-culture/) - [Kansas PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/kansas-peo/) - [Missouri PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/missouri-peo/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [Why Choose Axcet?](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [About PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/about-peos/) - [PEO Cost](https://www.axcethr.com/peo-cost/) - [Switching PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/switching-peos/) - [Certified PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/) - [HR Outsource Options](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/outsourcing-options/) - [Client Reviews](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/client-reviews/) - [PEO Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Workers' Comp. and Employee Safety Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [PEO Expertise You Can Trust](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [Subscribe to the Blog](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com) - [Schedule a Consultation](https://www.axcethr.com/schedule-consultation/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [Client Reviews](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/client-reviews/) - [Why Choose Axcet?](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [About PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/about-peos/) - [Certified PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/) - [Options to Outsource Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/outsourcing-options/) - [Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Complete List of Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/risk-management/) - [Payroll Administration](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Expertise You Can Trust](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/) - [Subscribe to the Blog](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Community Involvement](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/community-involvement/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![fuel-blog-logo](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fuel-blog-logo.png?width=310&height=97&name=fuel-blog-logo.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com) Filter Blog by Topic - [Human Resources](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/human-resources) - [Payroll Administration](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/payroll-administration) - [Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [All about COVID-19 in the Workplace](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/covid19) - [Kansas & Missouri HR News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-and-missouri-hr-news) - [Kansas City Interest News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-city-interest-news) - [PEO/HRO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) - Choose Topic: - [Human Resources](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/human-resources) - Payroll Administrations - [Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [PEO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) # Your Greatest Cybersecurity Risk Is Also the Secret to Reducing Your Company’s Vulnerability By [Steve Donovan](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan) on [Jul 23, 2019](https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability) 2 min read [1 Comment](https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability#comments-listing) Share this: - - - - [whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability](whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability) - [mailto:?subject=Your%20Greatest%20Cybersecurity%20Risk%20Is%20Also%20the%20Secret%20to%20Reducing%20Your%20Company’s%20Vulnerability&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability](mailto:?subject=Your%20Greatest%20Cybersecurity%20Risk%20Is%20Also%20the%20Secret%20to%20Reducing%20Your%20Company’s%20Vulnerability&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability) ![ezgif-4-4d98a7970b](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ezgif-4-4d98a7970b.webp?width=840&name=ezgif-4-4d98a7970b.webp) Hackers are after your company’s data. A University of Maryland study found that internet-connected computers experience cyberattacks [every 39 seconds](https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/study-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds). And, while attacks against large companies get most of the media coverage, small businesses are just as vulnerable. A recent [Ponemon Institute study](https://keepersecurity.com/assets/pdf/Keeper-2018-Ponemon-Report.pdf?cjevent=e684e2e2aa3f11e9812b009f0a1c0e0b) showed 67 percent of small and medium-sized businesses suffered cyberattacks in 2018, up from 61 percent the previous year. Think external sources are mostly to blame? Think again. The Ponemon research and a 2018 Shred-it study both found that [employee error is the leading cause](https://www.shredit.com/en-us/about/press-room/press-releases/sacking-employees-for-data-breach-negligence) of cybersecurity risk. Employees may lose company-issued laptops or phones that then fall into the wrong hands, leave their devices unlocked and unattended when they work offsite or engage in other risky security behaviors. So, your people are both your greatest assets and your largest security vulnerabilities. The key to [reducing your risk,](https://blog.axcethr.com/workplace-safety-risk-management) then, lies in your ability to lower the odds your staff will inadvertently allow a hacker to strike. If employees clearly understand how [dire cyberattack consequences can be](https://securityintelligence.com/ponemon-cost-of-a-data-breach-2018/), they will be more likely to invest in understanding and following your company’s cybersecurity measures. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/846221b0-a078-421a-b869-e380f99905ca.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/846221b0-a078-421a-b869-e380f99905ca) Information security can be intimidating, so successfully engaging employees on these technical matters may be challenging. Following these best practices, however, will help you equip your staff to ward off potential cyber threats and be more of an asset than a liability when it comes to protecting your data: - **Continuous Training.** Stress the importance of cybersecurity as soon as an employee joins your organization. Emphasize your company’s commitment to cybersecurity during the onboarding process and reinforce its importance through regular training sessions. Provide concrete examples of potential threats and their implications so employees fully understand how cybersecurity affects them and the company and what they can do to reduce risk. - **Cybersecurity Policy.** Establish and regularly update a protocol employees should follow if a security breach should occur. Share it with your entire staff – and not just once. Communicate the policy every chance you get – in your employee handbook, at staff meetings and during security training. Planning in advance the tangible steps that should be taken in the wake of an attack will help minimize its impact. For example, you might instruct employees who recognize a cyber concern to immediately disconnect their computers from the network.  Include a proactive portion that clearly expresses what employees should and shouldn’t do when it comes to technology. Consider sending out fake phishing emails to your staff to gauge how everyone reacts to clever requests for sensitive information. Such phishing tests will help identify problem areas you should address through training and illustrate to employees how vulnerable everyone is to hackers. - **Share Knowledge.** Establish a means of communication through which employees can securely warn the IT department of suspicious cyber activity and ask questions about a suspected phishing email or malicious email attachment. When employees repeatedly hear from IT and management how important cybersecurity is to an organization, they are more likely to make it a priority. Training and communication are the best ways to make employees understand how disruptive cyberattacks can be and enlist their help in defending against them. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/7e16d9f2-75c0-482f-ae6d-407aba0aa50a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/7e16d9f2-75c0-482f-ae6d-407aba0aa50a) [![Steve Donovan](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Steve-10.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=Steve-10.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan) Written by #### [Steve Donovan](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan) Director of Risk Management Read more [View all posts →](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan) ### Get HR Updates ### Table of Contents ### Related Resources - [services Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [services workplace safety](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/workplace-safety/) #### [Axcet HR Solutions: Who We Are and What We Do ![Axcet HR Solutions: Who We Are and What We Do](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Axcet%20Building%20in%20Corporate%20Woods.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/axcet-hr-solutions-who-we-are-and-what-we-do) #### [![Successful Entrepreneurs Aren’t All Business; Here's How They Enjoy Free Time](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Group%20of%20happy%20young%20%20business%20people%20in%20a%20meeting%20at%20office-4.jpeg) Successful Entrepreneurs Aren’t All Business; Here's How They Enjoy Free Time](https://blog.axcethr.com/successful-entrepreneurs-arent-all-business) ## Let us know what you think... ![AxcetHR Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Subscribe to Latest Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [\[ Client Portal \]](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - - - - - Search for: Copyright © 2023 Axcet HR Solutions – Kansas City's PEO Since 1988 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.axcethr.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.axcethr.com/terms-conditions/) | [**Join our Team – Careers »**](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) 10975 Grandview Drive Suite 200, Corporate Woods Building 27, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Call us: 913-383-2999 *The IRS does not endorse any particular For more information on [certified professional employer organizations](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/), go to [www.irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov).* Remove cookies ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=43031&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Steve Donovan", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-20T19:32:53.757Z", "datePublished" : "2019-07-23T16:50:08.000Z", "headline" : "Your Greatest Cybersecurity Risk Is Also the Secret to Reducing Your Company’s Vulnerability", "image" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/ezgif-4-4d98a7970b.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_logo_axcethr_primary.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5", "reviewCount" : "100" }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, "award" : [ "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO)", "Award-Winning HR Solutions Provider", "SHRM Certified HR Professionals", "HRCI Certified HR Professionals" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service" }, "description" : "Award-winning Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing comprehensive HR solutions, payroll services, employee benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. Founded in Kansas City in 1988 with 35+ years of expertise.", "foundingDate" : "1988", "foundingLocation" : { "@type" : "Place", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" } }, "hasOfferCatalog" : { "@type" : "OfferCatalog", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Comprehensive HR management services including recruitment, retention, performance management, and company culture development", "name" : "Human Resources Management" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Accurate payroll processing and payroll tax filing with dedicated payroll consultants", "name" : "Payroll Processing" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Group employee benefits management including health insurance evaluation, selection, and administration", "name" : "Employee Benefits Administration" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Workplace safety compliance and risk management solutions", "name" : "Risk Management" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Employment law compliance, regulatory reporting, and guidance from employment law attorneys", "name" : "HR Compliance & Legal Support" } } ], "name" : "HR Solutions Services" }, "keywords" : "PEO, Professional Employer Organization, HR Solutions, Human Resources Outsourcing, Payroll Services, Employee Benefits, Kansas City PEO, Small Business HR, Mid-Sized Business HR, HR Consulting, IRS Certified PEO, CPEO", "knowsAbout" : [ "Human Resources Management", "Professional Employer Organization", "PEO Services", "Payroll Processing", "Employee Benefits Administration", "Risk Management", "HR Compliance", "Health Plan Management", "Talent Recruitment", "Performance Management", "Workplace Safety", "Employment Law Compliance" ], "legalName" : "Axcet HR Solutions", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.axcethr.com/wp-content/uploads/axcet-logo.png" }, "memberOf" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organizations" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions", "numberOfEmployees" : { "@type" : "QuantitativeValue", "value" : "50-200" }, "sameAs" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com" ], "slogan" : "HR Support That Drives Success", "url" : "https://www.axcethr.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability#article", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "alternativeHeadline" : "Hackers are after your company’s data. A University of false", "articleBody" : "Hackers are after your company’s data. A University of Maryland study found that internet-connected computers experience cyberattacks every 39 seconds. And, while attacks against large companies get most of the media coverage, small businesses are just as vulnerable. A recent Ponemon Institute study showed 67 percent of small and medium-sized businesses suffered cyberattacks in 2018, up from 61 percent the previous year. Think external sources are mostly to blame? Think again. The Ponemon research and a 2018 Shred-it study both found that employee error is the leading cause of cybersecurity risk. Employees may lose company-issued laptops or phones that then fall into the wrong hands, leave their devices unlocked and unattended when they work offsite or engage in other risky security behaviors. So, your people are both your greatest assets and your largest security vulnerabilities. The key to reducing your risk, then, lies in your ability to lower the odds your staff will inadvertently allow a hacker to strike. If employees clearly understand how dire cyberattack consequences can be, they will be more likely to invest in understanding and following your company’s cybersecurity measures. Information security can be intimidating, so successfully engaging employees on these technical matters may be challenging. Following these best practices, however, will help you equip your staff to ward off potential cyber threats and be more of an asset than a liability when it comes to protecting your data: Continuous Training. Stress the importance of cybersecurity as soon as an employee joins your organization. Emphasize your company’s commitment to cybersecurity during the onboarding process and reinforce its importance through regular training sessions. Provide concrete examples of potential threats and their implications so employees fully understand how cybersecurity affects them and the company and what they can do to reduce risk. Cybersecurity Policy. Establish and regularly update a protocol employees should follow if a security breach should occur. Share it with your entire staff – and not just once. Communicate the policy every chance you get – in your employee handbook, at staff meetings and during security training. Planning in advance the tangible steps that should be taken in the wake of an attack will help minimize its impact. For example, you might instruct employees who recognize a cyber concern to immediately disconnect their computers from the network. Include a proactive portion that clearly expresses what employees should and shouldn’t do when it comes to technology. Consider sending out fake phishing emails to your staff to gauge how everyone reacts to clever requests for sensitive information. Such phishing tests will help identify problem areas you should address through training and illustrate to employees how vulnerable everyone is to hackers. Share Knowledge. Establish a means of communication through which employees can securely warn the IT department of suspicious cyber activity and ask questions about a suspected phishing email or malicious email attachment. When employees repeatedly hear from IT and management how important cybersecurity is to an organization, they are more likely to make it a priority. Training and communication are the best ways to make employees understand how disruptive cyberattacks can be and enlist their help in defending against them.", "author" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan#author", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Steve Donovan", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/steve-donovan" }, "dateCreated" : "2019-07-23", "dateModified" : "2026-09-20", "datePublished" : "2019-07-23", "description" : "Hackers are after your company’s data. A University of Maryland study found that internet-connected computers experience cyberattacks every 39 seconds. And, while attacks against large companies get most of the media coverage, small businesses are just as vulnerable. A recent Ponemon Institute study showed 67 percent of small and ...", "editor" : "Steve Donovan", "genre" : "Human Resources and Employee Management", "headline" : "Your Greatest Cybersecurity Risk Is Also the Secret to Reducing Your Company’s Vulnerability", "image" : "https://2652187.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2652187/ezgif-4-4d98a7970b.webp", "keywords" : "Risk Management, Workplace Safety, data security, business risk management, business risk management procedures, training employees in cybersecurity, cybersecurity for employees, educating employees in cybersecurity, cybersecurity best practices, information security best practices for employees, cybersecurity, it security best practices for employees, cyber threats", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/axcethr_logo_white.png?width=225&name=axcethr_logo_white.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" }, "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability", "wordCount" : "3436" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Insights", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/tag/risk-management", "name" : "Risk Management", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/your-greatest-cybersecurity-risk-is-also-the-secret-to-reducing-your-companys-vulnerability", "name" : "Your Greatest Cybersecurity Risk Is Also the Secret to Reducing Your Company’s Vulnerability", "position" : 4 } ] } ```