At Sequoia, our team members are the last line of defense in protecting our organization from cyberattacks. We believe everyone —not just our IT and Security Team — should have the knowledge and tools necessary to defend against evolving threats. We foster a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility, encouraging team members to be proactive in identifying and reporting potential security concerns.
Here’s a peek at how we train all team members, so they’re empowered to recognize and prevent cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training at Sequoia
Sequoia team members receive regular training on the latest security practices, emerging threats, and safe handling of sensitive information.
They’re required to complete cybersecurity training during new hire onboarding and then annually. They also receive additional training after significant company policy changes or as needed through the year.
We offer training through various methods to meet different learning styles and operational needs: online, via email, and in person.
Cybersecurity training offers numerous benefits that are crucial for maintaining a secure and resilient organization, including:
- Enhanced security awareness: Regular training ensures that team members are well-informed about the latest security practices and emerging threats. This heightened awareness helps them recognize and respond to potential security risks more effectively.
- Proactive security culture: Team members are encouraged to identify and report potential security concerns. This collective vigilance strengthens the organization’s overall security posture.
- Improved incident response: Incident response training equips team members with the knowledge to report security incidents promptly and accurately. This quick response can mitigate the impact of security breaches and reduce recovery time.
- Compliance and policy adherence: Understanding and adhering to company policies and industry regulations ensures that we stay compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Reduced risk of phishing attacks: Phishing awareness training helps team members recognize and avoid phishing attacks and social engineering attempts that can compromise sensitive information.
- Data protection: Training on data protection practices ensures that team members handle sensitive data securely and dispose of it properly. This minimizes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
- Password management: Educating team members on creating and managing strong, secure passwords helps prevent unauthorized access to systems and accounts.
- Device security: Training on securing devices used for work, such as mobile phones and laptops, helps protect our digital assets from potential threats.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Training
To make sure our cybersecurity training is effective, we conduct regular phishing simulations and monitor the number of security incidents reported. Regular phishing simulations assess our team members’ ability to recognize and respond to phishing attempts. Phishing simulation metrics are provided to Sequoia leadership, are reported on during weekly company-wide meetings, and are a top success goal for the organization each plan year.
Team Members can easily report potential phishing attempts or simulations with an email add-on that either forwards the email to the Incident Response team or instantly confirms whether the email is a simulation.
By investing in continuous education and awareness programs, Sequoia ensures that its Team Members are well-prepared to tackle potential attacks. This proactive approach not only protects our digital assets but also fosters a culture of security awareness and responsibility throughout the organization.
