Most business owners think hackers, ransomware, malware… etc., are the “bad guys out there”.
That THEY are the problem.
But what if we told you the real threat is already inside your walls?
And no—we don’t mean corporate espionage.
We’re talking about something far more common (and a lot more fixable): your team.
Most Cyberattacks Start With a Human—Not a Hacker
Here’s a stat that should stop you in your tracks:
Over 80% of data breaches involve human error.
That means:
-
Clicking the wrong link
-
Downloading an infected attachment
-
Using the same password for 12 different accounts
-
Falling for a fake email that looks just real enough
And no, it’s not because your employees are careless.
It’s because they’re not trained to see these risks coming.
What Does an Inside Threat Look Like?
It’s usually not malicious—it’s accidental.
-
An employee clicks a phishing email that looks like it’s from the CEO.
-
A sales rep logs into a client system using public Wi-Fi at the airport.
-
A new hire shares a password over Slack without realizing the risk.
- A new teammate falls for the – “Hey, do me a favor…” email from a ‘boss’.
Each of these moments is a crack in your defenses—and cybercriminals are experts at slipping through cracks.
The Fix: Train Your People Like They’re Your First Line of Defense
You’ve invested in antivirus, firewalls, MFA… but if you haven’t trained your team, you’ve left the front door wide open.
Here’s what good training looks like:
-
Short, regular sessions (not once-a-year “check the box” modules)
-
Simulated phishing tests to sharpen reflexes
-
Clear reporting channels when something feels off
-
Celebrating smart catches, not shaming mistakes
Think of it like fitness for your business.
You don’t get strong by doing 1 push-up in January.
You get strong with reps, consistency, and coaching.
Where to Start
We’ve actually broken this down in another post:
Why Employee Cybersecurity Training Is Your Best Defense
The inside threat isn’t something to fear—it’s something to fix.
Your employees don’t need to become cybersecurity experts.
But they do need to understand how their actions impact the whole company.
And once they do?
They go from biggest risk… to your best line of defense.
Need help building a people-first security plan? We’ve got you.
Let’s build something smarter—starting from the inside.