Let’s put it this way—do you lock your front door when you leave home?
Of course, you do.
But what if you get home to find that someone left a window open? Suddenly, that locked door doesn’t matter so much.
Now, let’s think about your business. You might have solid cybersecurity protections in place—firewalls, strong passwords, and regular software updates. But if your employees unknowingly leave vulnerabilities open, all those defenses can quickly become useless.
This isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness. Many employees don’t realize they could be the biggest security risk in your business.
With remote work on the rise, employees often use personal devices—like their phones, tablets, or home computers—for work. It’s convenient, but here’s the catch: personal devices typically lack the same security safeguards as company-issued ones. Weak passwords, outdated software, and unsecured Wi-Fi connections create an open invitation for cybercriminals.
And it gets riskier…
- 40% of employees admit to downloading customer data onto personal devices. That’s sensitive business information potentially exposed to hackers.
- Over 65% of employees confess to only sometimes following cybersecurity policies—or ignoring them completely. That includes forwarding work emails to personal accounts, using unsecured hotspots, or mishandling company data when using AI tools.
- Nearly half of employees reuse passwords across multiple work accounts. Even worse, over a third use the same passwords for both personal and work logins.
Now, imagine a cybercriminal hacking an employee’s social media account—only to use the same password to access your business systems. That’s a serious breach waiting to happen.
So, how do you fix this?
Education is your best defense.
Most security slip-ups happen because employees simply don’t realize the risks. They aren’t trying to break the rules—they just don’t know how much damage small habits can cause.
Here’s how to strengthen your business’s defenses:
Make cybersecurity training a priority – Regular, simple training sessions can keep security top of mind.
Set clear, enforceable security policies – Employees should:
- Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.
- Access work accounts only from approved, secure devices.
- Never forward work emails to personal accounts.
Encourage a culture of cybersecurity – Celebrate good habits! If an employee spots a phishing attempt or takes proactive security measures, acknowledge their efforts.
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem—it’s everyone’s responsibility. By giving employees the right knowledge and tools, you can transform them from a potential weak link into your strongest line of defense.
Need help securing your team against cyber threats? Let’s talk.
Apollo IT Services has been helping businesses since our founding in Austin, TX in 2015. With offices in Austin and Northwest Arkansas, we’ve continued to evolve alongside technology, adapting our services to include comprehensive managed IT solutions, cybersecurity expertise, and cloud services. Our mission is simple: to empower your business with reliable IT and empower you with peace of mind. Give us a call today!