7 Cybersecurity habits your employees should adopt today

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and employees remain one of the biggest vulnerabilities in any organisation’s security. According to a 2023 UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 32% of businesses reported cybersecurity incidents in the past 12 months, with phishing and weak passwords being the most common causes.

Many security breaches occur due to human error, making cybersecurity awareness and best practices a necessity in every workplace. When employees develop strong cybersecurity habits, they not only protect their organisation’s data but also safeguard their personal information from cybercriminals.

Training employees on good cybersecurity habits can significantly reduce the risk of attacks. Here are seven essential cybersecurity habits that all employees should adopt to help protect business data and prevent security breaches.

1. Recognise phishing scams and social engineering attacks

Phishing remains one of the most effective methods cybercriminals use to steal credentials and compromise business systems. In 2022, 83% of organisations reported experiencing a phishing attack, according to Proofpoint’s State of the Phish Report.

Phishing attacks often appear as emails, messages, or phone calls pretending to be from legitimate sources, such as banks, service providers, or even internal departments within an organisation. Cybercriminals use urgency and fear to trick employees into clicking on malicious links, downloading malware, or revealing sensitive information.

Employees should always:

• Verify sender details before opening emails or clicking links
• Be cautious of unexpected attachments or urgent requests for sensitive information
• Hover over links before clicking to check if they lead to legitimate websites
• Report suspicious emails to IT security teams

Regular phishing awareness training helps employees identify and avoid these scams. Learn more about dangerous phishing scams and how to simulate phishing campaigns to improve staff awareness.

2. Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts

Weak or reused passwords are a major security risk. A study by Verizon found that 81% of hacking-related breaches were caused by stolen or weak passwords. Many employees use the same password across multiple accounts, increasing the risk of credential stuffing attacks.

Best practices for password security include:

• Creating passwords with at least 12-16 characters, including numbers, special characters, and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Avoiding dictionary words, birthdates, or common phrases
• Using a password manager to generate and store credentials securely
• Changing passwords regularly, especially for business-critical accounts

Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection, preventing unauthorised access even if passwords are compromised. Learn more about secure password management and how to implement multi-factor authentication to prevent cyber attacks.

3. Keep software and devices updated

Outdated software is a common entry point for cybercriminals. Many attacks exploit vulnerabilities in old operating systems, applications, and firmware, allowing attackers to install malware or gain unauthorised access.

Employees should:

• Regularly install security updates and patches for all software
• Enable automatic updates where possible to avoid missing critical fixes
• Report any outdated or unsupported software to IT teams to ensure timely upgrades

Businesses should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses before cybercriminals do.

4. Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are a hotspot for hackers looking to intercept data, inject malware, or launch man-in-the-middle attacks. Employees working remotely in cafes, airports, or coworking spaces should be especially cautious.

To stay secure, employees should:

• Avoid accessing business accounts or sensitive data on public networks
• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt internet traffic and prevent eavesdropping
• Ensure mobile hotspots are protected with strong passwords and encryption

Businesses should establish clear cybersecurity guidelines for remote workers. Learn more in our guide on how to strengthen business cybersecurity.

5. Lock devices when not in use

Leaving a computer, smartphone, or tablet unlocked, even for a few minutes, creates an easy opportunity for unauthorised access. Many insider security breaches happen due to negligence, with unattended devices being accessed or stolen.

Employees should develop the habit of:

• Locking their screens whenever they step away from their desks
• Using strong passwords, PINs, or biometric authentication on all devices
• Setting automatic screen locks after a short period of inactivity

Ensuring devices are locked when not in use prevents both accidental data exposure and intentional breaches by malicious insiders. Read more about common cybersecurity mistakes small businesses make.

6. Be cautious when handling sensitive data

Data leaks often occur due to mishandling of sensitive information. Employees must understand how to store, transfer, and dispose of confidential data securely.

Key best practices include:

• Never sharing confidential information over email or unsecured messaging apps
• Encrypting files before transferring sensitive documents
• Using secure file-sharing platforms instead of USB drives or personal cloud storage
• Shredding or securely deleting any unnecessary sensitive files

For businesses handling customer data, adhering to cybersecurity compliance regulations is essential.

7. Report security incidents immediately

Many cyber attacks go undetected for weeks or even months because employees fail to report suspicious activity. Quick reporting can help prevent a minor incident from turning into a full-scale breach.

Employees should be encouraged to:

• Report phishing emails, ransomware threats, or unauthorised access attempts
• Inform IT if they suspect their credentials have been compromised
• Follow the company’s incident response protocol

Early detection and response significantly reduce the damage caused by cyber attacks. Learn more about cybersecurity incident response services.

Building a security-first culture in your business

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it requires a company-wide approach where every employee understands their role in protecting sensitive data. With cyber threats evolving daily, businesses that fail to enforce good security habits risk serious financial and reputational damage.

By training employees on phishing threats, enforcing strong password policies, keeping systems updated, securing networks, and encouraging fast incident reporting, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of a breach. Implementing these habits does not require large investments—small proactive steps can provide strong protection against cyber threats. A security-first culture not only safeguards business data but also boosts customer trust and regulatory compliance.