INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
78 % employees surveyed lack critical cybersecurity knowledge finds Fortinet global survey
Employees can be an organisation ’ s first line of defence , but leaders are increasingly worried that their employees lack security awareness . Nearly 78 % of those surveyed believe their employees lack critical cybersecurity knowledge , up from 56 % in 2023 .
Fortinet released its annual 2024 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report , highlighting the crucial role a cyber-aware workforce plays in managing and mitigating organisational risk .
Leaders recognise the importance of security awareness training but believe specific attributes make some training programmes more effective than others . Three-quarters of leaders say they plan their security awareness campaigns , delivering content monthly , 38 % or quarterly , 54 %. Executives also point to high-quality content playing a role in the success or failure of the programme .
Alain Penel , Vice President , Middle East , Turkey and CIS , Fortinet
“ Our latest research highlights key trends within the United Arab Emirates , showing significant progress in the adoption of AI-driven security solutions ,” says Alain Penel , Vice President , Middle East , Turkey and CIS at Fortinet .
“ According to the findings , 32 % of respondents in the UAE are in the process of implementing AI security measures , while 68 % have already integrated these technologies into their systems . These advancements reflect the region ' s proactive approach to enhancing cybersecurity resilience and awareness , reinforcing the UAE ' s position as a provider in security innovation across the Middle East .”
As malicious actors use AI to increase the volume and velocity of their attacks , leaders believe these threats will be harder for their employees to spot . More than 70 % of respondents in the UAE expect employees to fall victim to AI driven cyberattacks . While globally , more than 60 % of respondents expect more employees to fall victim to attacks in which cybercriminals use AI .
One prominent way cybercriminals use AI is to make phishing schemes more believable and harder to detect . Because phishing targets individual users directly , organisations are heavily focused on teaching employees how to recognise and avoid falling victim to these attacks .
More than 80 % of organisations faced attacks last year , such as malware , phishing , and password attacks that directly targeted individuals . As attacks evolve , security awareness and training will only become more vital . Nearly all , 98 % of those surveyed say their leadership team supports employee security awareness training .
Nearly all respondents , 98 % say phishing prevention is a component of their training programmes and plans . Other top training priorities include data security , 58 % and privacy , 48 %.
John Maddison , Chief Marketing Officer at Fortinet , said “ As threat actors harness new technologies like AI to augment the sophistication of their attacks , it ’ s increasingly crucial that employees serve as a robust first line of defence . Fortinet ’ s new research underscores the importance of creating a culture of cybersecurity and the need to deploy organisation-wide security awareness and training .”
While security and IT teams are crucial to safeguarding organisations against cyberthreats , an enterprise ’ s employees also play an important role in preventing breaches . Employees are open to cybersecurity awareness and training opportunities . Most business leaders in the UAE , 92 % say their employees positively view security awareness and training . p
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST 69