Business, Cyber Security

10 Steps to Onboard New Employees on Cybersecurity

Posted on by Danielle Mohr

Bringing on new employees is an exciting time for any organization, but the first few weeks can be overwhelming as they absorb critical information about their roles, company policies, and technology systems. One of the most important aspects of onboarding that often gets overlooked is cybersecurity training.

These days, cyber threats are becoming more advanced and more frequent. Without proper onboarding in cybersecurity protocols, new hires can quickly become the weakest link in your company’s defenses. 

Here’s how you can avoid that. 

Why Cybersecurity Onboarding Matters

According to InfoSecurity Magazine, human error is responsible for over 95% of data breaches. Even the best firewalls and security software can’t fully protect your company if employees aren’t properly trained.

New hires, in particular, are more susceptible to cyber risks because they may not fully understand your systems or policies yet. Neglecting cybersecurity onboarding can expose your organization to phishing, malware, data loss, and even costly regulatory fines.

Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity onboarding:

  • Reduces human error
  • Builds a culture of cybersecurity awareness
  • Helps prevent costly data breaches
  • Protects your company’s reputation

The Biggest Cybersecurity Risk: The Human Factor

Even with the best cybersecurity systems in place, people are often the biggest vulnerability. Studies consistently show that human error, negligence, and a lack of awareness are the leading causes of data breaches and cyber incidents.

Common Employee Mistakes Include:

  • Clicking on malicious links
  • Using weak or reused passwords
  • Failing to report suspicious activity
  • Mishandling sensitive files

By properly onboarding new employees with cybersecurity training from day one, you reduce these risks and help protect your organization.

The High Cost of Skipping Cybersecurity Onboarding

Skipping or rushing cybersecurity onboarding can lead to:

  • Costly Data Breaches: The Average cost of a breach is $4.45 million globally (IBM 2023 Report).
  • Regulatory Fines: Failure to comply with data protection regulations can result in severe penalties.
  • Reputation Damage: Public breaches can erode customer trust and impact future sales.
  • Operational Disruption: Security incidents can cripple daily operations and productivity.

New hires are particularly vulnerable to making mistakes that lead to security incidents if they aren’t properly trained.

Steps to Successfully Onboard New Employees on Cybersecurity

1. Establish a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy

Start by clearly communicating your company’s BYOD policy. New hires should know what personal devices they can use for work, how to securely connect to the company network, and the risks involved. If you don’t have a BYOD policy, now is the time to create one—especially for remote or hybrid teams.

2. Implement Mandatory Cybersecurity Training

Cybersecurity training should be as mandatory as HR or safety training. Cover essential topics such as:

  • Identifying phishing emails
  • Creating and protecting strong passwords
  • Reporting suspicious activity
  • Safe browsing and file handling

Partnering with cybersecurity experts, like Alt-Tech Inc., can help you develop effective training programs tailored to your business.

3. Educate on Secure File-Sharing Protocols

Train employees on the safest ways to share confidential company data, both in the office and remotely. This helps prevent accidental data leaks and ensures your entire team is aligned on secure collaboration practices.

4. Foster Open Communication

Encourage employees to ask questions and report security concerns without hesitation. Build a culture where it’s safe to speak up about suspicious emails, devices, or phone calls. Fast reporting can prevent a small issue from becoming a major breach.

5. Promote a Cybersecurity Culture

Keep cybersecurity top of mind by regularly sharing updates about new threats and industry trends. Distribute memos, hold brief refresher sessions, and make cybersecurity an ongoing conversation in your workplace.

6. Teach In-Depth Phishing Awareness

Phishing tactics go beyond generic scam emails. Train employees to recognize advanced phishing methods such as:

  • Spear-phishing (targeted attacks)
  • Social engineering
  • Pretexting and baiting

The more your team knows about these specific tactics, the better they can defend against them.

7. Confirm Readiness Before Granting Access

Never rush the onboarding process. Ensure new hires fully understand your cybersecurity policies and demonstrate readiness before granting them access to sensitive systems or data.

8. Customize Training for Each Employee

Employees come with different levels of cybersecurity knowledge. Provide more detailed support to those who need it, and offer advanced resources for those with more experience.

9. Keep Training Materials Updated

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Regularly update your training programs to reflect the latest risks, regulations, and best practices. Periodic refresher sessions help keep your team sharp.

10. Leverage Managed IT Services

Working with an experienced IT-managed services provider like Alt-Tech Inc. ensures your cybersecurity protocols are always up to date. Managed services can offer:

  • 24/7 network monitoring
  • Policy development
  • Secure cloud service setup
  • Advanced cybersecurity training

Partnering with experts strengthens your defenses and helps you stay ahead of potential threats.

Onboarding Done Right with Alt-Tech

At Alt-Tech, we specialize in creating effective cybersecurity onboarding programs that empower employees and protect your business from the inside out. From secure cloud setups to 24/7 network monitoring, we provide end-to-end managed IT services tailored to your organization’s needs.

Contact our cybersecurity experts today to learn how we can help you build a safer, more secure workplace.

Danielle Mohr