Preferred Blog

Preferred has been serving the Tinley Park area since 1991, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Cultivating a Cybersecurity Culture That Goes Beyond Checkboxes

Preferred Blog Security

Vince Arden

Wednesday, May 07 2025

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Cybersecurity is non-negotiable for protecting your business. While your awareness as a business owner is key, your employees are your first line of defense. Implementing effective cybersecurity training is crucial, but how do you make it stick?

Make Training Relevant and Engaging

Gain employee approval, even from skeptical veterans, by connecting cybersecurity directly to their work and personal lives using real-world examples. Avoid overwhelming staff by breaking training into manageable modules. Use engaging formats like short videos, interactive quizzes, and gamification to reinforce learning and maintain focus.

Prioritize Hands-On Experience

Knowledge needs application. The most effective training involves practical exercises. Use simulated attacks, such as phishing attempts, in a safe environment. This gives your team low-stakes practice in spotting red flags and responding correctly, preparing them for real threats.

Ensure Continuous Learning

Cybersecurity isn't a one-off task; threats constantly evolve. Treat training as an ongoing process. Provide regular refresher courses and updates on new scams and best practices. Integrate cybersecurity awareness into your company culture through regular communications, like a weekly tips newsletter. This sustained effort significantly reduces the risk of damaging data breaches.

Untrained employees are a target for cybercriminals. Don't wait for an attack. Start developing your cybersecurity training plan today. Call Preferred at 708-781-7110 to get started.

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About the author

Vince Arden

Vince Arden is the founder and President of Preferred Communication Systems. He is a graduate of DeVry University with over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. In addition to providing leadership in sales, marketing, project management, and service delivery at Preferred, Vince provides Virtual CIO-level services for the 4th-largest Realtor Association in the nation and to an Inc. 500 fastest growing company. He has been interviewed by industry publications like Redmond magazine, CRN News, and Continuum for his expertise related to cloud computing and the managed IT services industry. He also lends his voice as a contributing author for the Cloud Business Review.

His core purpose is to, "Help people achieve their greatest potential in work and L.I.F.E." He passionately works toward making this a reality in every aspect of life, including his areas of expertise, such as thought leadership, ideation, communication, team building, and Servant Leadership. Vince models building strong relationships, both with his team at Preferred and with his clients. He strives to build a network of people he can embolden to work smarter, so that they may ultimately be able to live better.

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