Are Your Employees Putting Your Business at Risk? Here’s How to Fix It

Let’s start with a simple question: Do you lock your front door when you leave home?

Of course, you do.

But what if someone leaves a window open? Suddenly, that locked door doesn’t seem so secure, does it?

Now, think about your business.

You’ve invested in cyber security—strong passwords, firewalls, software updates—the whole nine yards. But if your employees unknowingly leave “windows” open, all that security could be useless.

This isn’t about blame; it’s about awareness. The reality is that your employees might be your biggest security risk without even realizing it.

The Hidden Dangers of Employee Cyber Habits

With remote and hybrid work on the rise, employees are using personal devices—laptops, tablets, and phones—for work. It seems convenient, but here’s the problem:

Most personal devices lack the security measures your business needs. Weak passwords, outdated software, and unsecured Wi-Fi networks create the perfect opportunity for hackers.

And it gets worse…

  • 40% of employees admit to downloading customer data onto personal devices. That means sensitive information is outside your company’s secure network, making it vulnerable.
  • Over 65% of employees say they only follow cyber security rules “sometimes” or never. This includes forwarding work emails to personal accounts, using unsecured Wi-Fi, and ignoring data protection guidelines.
  • Nearly half of employees reuse passwords across multiple work accounts. Even more alarming, over a third use the same passwords for both work and personal accounts.

How to Turn Your Employees Into Your First Line of Defense

The good news? You can fix this by prioritizing education and creating simple security policies.

Here’s where to start:

✔ Use a password manager – Employees should create strong, unique passwords for each work account.
✔ Limit work to secure devices – Ensure employees access company systems only from approved, protected devices.
✔ Ban personal email forwarding – Work emails should never be sent to personal accounts.
✔ Train regularly – Cyber threats evolve, so ongoing training helps employees stay alert.
✔ Reward good habits – Celebrate employees who spot phishing attempts or suggest smart security practices.

Cyber Security is a Team Effort

Your employees don’t need to be tech experts—they just need the right guidance. With clear policies and regular training, they can become your strongest defense instead of your biggest risk.

Need help securing your business? Let’s talk.

🔒 St. Louis businesses can’t afford to ignore cyber security. Protect your employees, protect your business—get in touch today.

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