How Your Own Staff Could Trigger Your Next Cyber Incident
Most breaches don’t start with sophisticated exploits. They start with people. Here’s how common behaviours inside your firm could lead to major cybersecurity incidents, and what you can do to stop them.
Falling for Sophisticated Phishing Emails
Even experienced staff can be deceived. Attackers often impersonate trusted sources such as regulators like the FCA, HMRC, or even senior partners to trick employees into clicking.
Impact: A single click can expose sensitive client data, trigger regulatory breaches, or invite ransomware into core systems.
Fix:
Run quarterly phishing simulations and mandatory awareness refreshers. Ensure staff know how to spot red flags and where to report suspicious emails immediately.
Reusing Passwords Across Systems
When staff reuse passwords, one compromised account can quickly cascade into multiple breaches across cloud services, finance systems, and client portals.
Impact: Credential reuse often leads to unauthorised access, putting confidential financial data or client case files at risk.
Fix:
Deploy password managers, enforce unique logins, and monitor for exposed credentials on the dark web.
Weak BYOD or Remote Work Controls
Unsecured personal devices and lack of endpoint protection create easy openings for attackers. Remote work has magnified this risk.
Impact: Confidential files accessed from insecure devices can lead to data leakage or compliance failures under GDPR and sector regulations.
Fix:
Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) and enforce endpoint protection for all devices that access corporate data.
Misunderstanding Permissions
It is common for staff to hold more access than they need. Junior team members with admin rights, or contractors retaining access after projects end, create critical vulnerabilities.
Impact: Over-privileged accounts not only increase insider risk but also attract regulators’ attention during audits.
Fix:
Apply the principle of least privilege. Audit permissions regularly and revoke access as soon as roles change or contracts end.
Lack of Clear Reporting Processes
Even when staff spot an issue, most will not report it if the process is unclear or if they fear repercussions.
Impact: Delayed reporting allows small incidents to escalate into breaches, with significant financial, reputational, and regulatory consequences.
Fix:
Make reporting of incidents and weaknesses quick, safe, and encouraged. Regularly remind staff how to escalate concerns, and foster a no-blame culture around incident reporting.
Do Not Wait for a Breach to Learn the Hard Way
Watch our recent webinar, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Cyber Risks Built Into Your Daily Operations.
We reveal how attackers exploit these behaviours and what leaders can do to shut the gaps before clients or regulators come knocking.
Or, see what attackers already know about your firm with a free CyberRisk Score, powered by FoxTech’s penetration testing services.
