Introduction to Security Awareness Campaigns

Executive buy-in in security awareness campaigns is critical to its overall success, only when executives support an initiative will it actualy result in the desired behavioral changes.

Security policies are the glue to an organization and the security teams effort to keep things safe. When people understand the policy and its mechanisms then an organization can more easily identify threats and stop them. This section includes some examples of complex and really good (simple) policies that are accepted faster than more complex ones.

Identifying assets that need to be protected and how they will be protected is a vital part of any security initiative.

Passwords and applications seem to go hand in hand. Most attacks are aimed at cracking passwords in order to obtain data or critical information from an enterprise. When users understand the risks associated to weak passwords and their information, then they can make the right decisions to create better passwords that protect themselves and a company.

Some components in the campaign equate to savings faster than others. Antivirus and personal firewalls are a basic component in any policy or awareness campaign. As cyber threats increase, so does the importance on detection and remediation. The caveat is that this software only helps to an extent as many cyber threats are starting to circumvent traditional scanning methods in order to infect a users laptop or desktop.

Many people forget that others can look over your shoulder when you use a computer. With basic precautions everyone can increase personal security and protect their data and information from criminal hackers.

In 2015 (more than ever) we can no longer picture a world in which smartphones and tablets don't exist. As these mobile devices have gotten faster and have more memory, companies look at these devices to take over certain areas thought to be excusive to laptops. With added features we also have more risks when using these devices on the road or at your local café. Don't get scammed by cyber threats because you don't know the threats.

We hear a great deal about threats every day but what and how do they happen when you browse the internet? Some way is attackers are successful is by using infected websites that "host" malware downloads, other areas that you can use to secure your activities is by using secure and encrypted connections when browsing. We don't have anything to hide, but making things harder for a criminal hacker is the objective.

You get an email from someone you don't know, asking you to download a "critical" update or financial document. What do you do? If you are aware of the threats involved with this seemly "harmless" email you will know its how many devices get infected. Don't be conned into clicking on emails and links or files you don't know. Email is not always your friend!

This area has only recently become mainstream privately and in the enterprise. Data is the basis for many decisions and task both in our private as well as working lives. By using encryption technology and also being aware of the threats of using usb memory sticks, we can protect ourselves against some of the simpler attacks.

This lecture discusses the physical security aspects of security policies. When aspects such as tailgating , access card misuse and other aspects of social engineering attacks used by an attacker to get unauthorized access to a building are discussed, it helps everyone be aware of those risks.

Campaigns usually forget how changes and the change management process works in an enterprise, but there are so many advantages in talking about the change management process. When people know the process and how to suggest changes, it reduces risks and also speeds up the process in general (making it cheaper). Its a win-win situation!

Including information on how and to whom people should respond when an incident or something suspicious happens just makes sense. When we discuss what everyone can do to stop or limit the damage from an attack on the enterprise or institution, then we also reduce the downtime and costs associated with it. Awareness campaigns can be used successfully to lower costs drastically by helping the incident response teams gather information, identify an attacker or be aware of suspicious events. Everyone can help by being responsible for security, its a mindset needed in today's "cyber" world.

Many things have changed in recent years in regards to IT, IT-Security and the rest of the Business. As Gartner, Forester and others pointed out back in 2001, enterprises now expect technologists to highlight, explain and be aware of the business value of projects they suggest. Many teams that do not understand these concepts ultimately fail. This lecture discusses how you can justify security projects (like awareness) by talking about business value to the company. One tip, IT and Security are CORE business functions.

Social engineering is one of the most difficult areas to protect against because it uses human nature. When teaching awareness, this is one of the core areas to concentrate on so that people learn how to recognize and detect when social engineering is happening. Don't be deceived, this requires the support of many departments including the executives to nurture and create an "aware" culture.

So what are the actual attacks that awareness campaigns can actually help with, many are obvious, some not so. This lecture will discuss the areas and how to use that to your advantage.

We have included some of the research out there that can help you justify the costs of security projects like an awareness campaign by taking neutral and non vendor specific research so that you can make your own mind up as to what and how to save money.

Presentation to the course.

This is the supplemental paper / handbook to the course.

This is a new section in prep where we will use the things we learned in this course to build that security awareness campaign! Woot, Woot! Time to get cracking and show everyone your leet sec aware skills! ;-)