Security & Compliance
In an ideal world, all malicious emails or messages would be blocked or rejected by security solutions, but with constantly evolving attacks, that is simply not possible. Installing a defense system beyond the endpoint or inbox is crucial to keep your organization safe, and that starts with educating users on potential vulnerabilities, before it is too late.
Barracuda's Security Awareness Training is a great tool to accomplish this, as it uses real-world attack simulations to identify vulnerabilities, then provides insights on user behavior and recommendations to defend against that particular attack type. It is no secret how dangerous cyber-attacks can be, so let's take a deep dive into how security awareness training prevents these attacks.
Threat Simulation
The first step in identifying vulnerabilities and knowledge gaps is to test the current state of each user in these categories. The program provides hundreds of mock email threat templates, landing pages, email account senders, and web server domains to provide testers with the most realistic scenarios possible.
In addition to the email threat content available, features include other avenues such as SMS/Text (Smishing), Voicemail (Vishing), as well as physical media (USB/SD Cards) to test which users would be likely to plug potentially malicious files into your network. Having a variety of different threat types beyond what users would traditionally think to be looking out for highlights vulnerabilities that may be unexpected.
Reporting
Adding a way for users to show that they have identified potential threats is crucial to understanding which users are actively aware of cyber threats. The training program comes with a phish reporting button, so users who can identify threats can be easily identified. In addition to a reporting feature for employees, the program includes a built-in Data Loss Prevention Activator, allowing administrators to track where campaign emails and portable media drops go, giving insight into who may leak company data.
Customizable Attacks Based on User Attributes
An entry-level employee will likely have less experience and awareness of threat types compared to a senior manager or director with 15+ years of experience and having the option to tailor your threat types to this fact is crucial to accurately assessing the security posture within employees in the environment. This can also be helpful in identifying trends, and understanding which threat types may require additional education and training.
Program Gamification
Keeping training programs engaging is often a struggle, but Barracuda's training program does an excellent job of gamifying the process. The program includes leaderboards and user-leveling systems, which gives employees a sense of progress while training. Attaching a sense of competition helps keep identification of threats a priority in the minds of employees, leading to an overall safer and more engaged environment.
Bonus Features and Materials
To supplement the simulated attacks and response test, Barracuda also provides additional materials such as short (two-minute on average) videos covering topics such as malware awareness, password security as well as others. Backing these videos up is a plethora of content, including posters, newsletters, infographics, and tip sheets. This content was designed with the help of reputable content vendors in the cybersecurity space to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
How to Acquire and Implement this Program
Security awareness training comes as part of Barracuda's Premium Plus security plan but can also be purchased as a standalone product. Datalink Networks is a preferred partner of Barracuda Networks, so we will be able to access the lowest pricing available. Once purchased, the materials will be in the Barracuda portal with implementation instructions, as well as support from both Datalink Networks and Barracuda Networks representatives.
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