With data increasing every year in both scale and importance to critical business functions, now more than ever is the time for investment in effective data protection.

This requirement extends past simple software, however; staff training and secure practices and procedures are vital. Identity access management training provides one of the solutions.

Companies aren’t doing enough

One of the more concerning trends in modern information security is that of training – there isn’t enough of it!

The rampant spread of cyber threats such as ransomware, as well as the danger posed by data leaks and breaches, has raised the profile of information security greatly in recent years. Companies are increasingly aware of the need for proper staff management training.

The problem is they either aren’t doing it, or they aren’t doing it right. Employees across the globe are unknowingly negligent towards data every second of the day, be it through device security or data access, use and maintenance.

Internal threat is real – training mitigates it

There is a slew of common scenarios that are ticking time-bombs at heart of companies. A particularly common story is that of staff members having either unrestricted access, or too much access, to sensitive data that is critical to the company. This situation alone poses a terrible risk.

Data classification and appropriate identity access management training are key to mitigating this threat. Looking at the issue positively, the danger in modern business lies in a lack of training and investment instead of the complexity of the solution; this means that proper training and adoption of secure ways of working will protect a business adequately without too much difficulty or disruption.

Avoiding data leaks

A key benefit to introducing adequate identity access management is the reduction in data breaches and leaks, as well as faster and more comprehensive recovery should one occur.

The folly of other companies both past and present repeatedly warns us of the dangers posed should we ignore this threat. With 30% of employees found to leave mobile devices unattended in their cars and many placing sensitive information in unsecured cloud storage, or clicking links in an anonymous email, the danger of data breaches and cyberattacks is real indeed.

The danger, therefore, primarily lies in people as opposed to software. This is not to say that investment in software and tools is without value – quite the opposite. What it does highlight is that appropriate identity access management training will address the most common threats posed to businesses regarding managing their data.

The two-pronged approach to security

Looking towards a comprehensive solution to the issue, many businesses have effectively safeguarded themselves by investing in both identity access management training and relevant tools and software.

Network authentication procedures are a prime example of this. Should an employee lose a device with login information, a further layer of authentication is still needed for a session to be established. This effectively stops thieves and criminals from causing further damage to the business.

Training in this scenario would also equip the employee with the awareness of the effects their own actions can have on the business. A data breach in a situation such as this could have extremely damaging repercussions that may not be immediately obvious to an untrained individual. Instead of taking no action, the employee could contact their IT department immediately to request a password change or a revoking of their username.

It is through comprehensive investment into identity access management training and robust data protection that the real and immediate threats of data breaches and more can be avoided.