4 Tips to Get Employees on Board with Security Compliance

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Safety and security are issues that every company should take seriously. Not only could a security threat hurt the organization’s finances, but it would also be embarrassing and damaging to the company’s reputation. Therefore, making security a top priority can have a massive impact on customer and team member perceptions.

Your company may already be taking the necessary precautions, such as installing top-notch cybersecurity software or, if you’re in the medical field, working with a HIPAA consultant to address any weaknesses. However, although the management may want to avoid risks, getting employees on board with security compliance is not always an easy task. Here are some tips on how you can achieve this more easily. 

1. Educate Employees on the Importance of Security

First things first, start with educating your employees. The lack of security compliance knowledge may cause concerns and problems for many of them. They may also find it easier to do what they want rather than follow the rules. It would be best to explain why all team members have to adhere to the security and safety regulations.

Keep the following points in mind when getting employees to participate in security compliance:

• Employees must be aware that their adherence will help protect them and their company. Talk to the staff about their concerns, primarily if they are used to working in a certain way.
• Set aside time for security education. It’s recommended that you spend some time each month providing security education to your employees. This may be through a one-time conference, a webinar, or a hands-on learning session.
• Establish a dialogue around why they need to follow security policies and procedures. Not many employees are familiar with compliance, but a security expert may be able to help educate them about security risks.
• Offer employees continued training to show them how to follow the regulations. They need to understand how to spot a fraud and implement a fraud-fighting mechanism. 

2. Make Security Compliance Mandatory

After you’ve communicated the proper security practices and policies, all employees should sign an agreement or compliance form as part of their employment contract. This way, they will be bound by the regulations set by the company. The agreement should state that they understand the importance of security and that they have been empowered to protect the company against various threats. By making security compliance mandatory, you can safeguard the company from internal and external malicious acts.

There are other ways to make compulsory compliance easier for all staff within the organization:

• Make employees aware that they can quickly become a victim of a hack or security issue. Seek their cooperation in communicating the needed security requirements and best practices to co-employees regularly. 
• Ask them to help you find and report physical and cyber breaches. Encourage them to report any suspicious activity in the workplace and in the online operations of the business.

3. Establish a Framework to Help with Compliance

Creating a framework allows you to make the security compliance rule an accepted part of the business culture. Implementing safety and security measures will create buy-in from employees. Here are the things every company should implement in the workplace:

• Consider setting a rule prohibiting anyone from using a company network to connect to the Internet for non-work-related activities. Implement a uniform policy concerning network use within the organization. Make sure you have an overall framework that outlines how the system will be used or what it cannot be used for.
• Have a password policy in place. Most companies already have this; however, employees are known to use personal passwords instead of company passwords. Team members should create a dedicated password for work-related tasks.
• Insist on solid passwords and offer them access to software tools that will monitor user log-ins and passwords. Ensure that team members utilize best practices when creating passwords, such as using symbols and punctuation, making long or complex passwords, and avoiding using the same password for multiple accounts.
• Make it a habit to look for inactive or weak passwords. Set up automated alarms to help spot weak passwords or to notify when any user account goes dormant for too long.
• Implement strict policies in handling business and customer data. To avoid a potential data security breach, manage who can access sensitive company information.

4. Review Security Processes Regularly

Conduct a company audit to understand the security risks the organization faces in its day-to-day operations. Security threats may come from physical attacks, insider threats, and hackers. Every year, you should conduct a review of your business’s security policies and processes. These assessments will enable you to establish the most appropriate security framework that aligns with the needs of your business and your employees. Conducting regular inspections will help employees understand how crucial security compliance is for the organization. 

Takeaway

Security breaches could happen anywhere and at any time. Your employees will be able to better avoid security breaches by adhering to the company’s security measures and policies. By investing in team member training, identifying risks, and setting up efficient security guidelines, you’ll make it easier for employees to be ready and willing to participate in security compliance.

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