What is one piece of advice you would give to a new employee about cybersecurity awareness? How can they best protect themselves and the company?

Question

In today's digital world, cybersecurity is more critical than ever for new employees. This article presents essential cybersecurity awareness tips, backed by insights from industry experts. From trusting instincts to implementing robust authentication practices, these guidelines will help safeguard both personal and organizational data.

Mark Dodds · Answer

The most important advice we give to new employees is this: if something feels suspicious, don't ignore it. It doesn't matter if it's an unusual email, a questionable link, or something you clicked that suddenly opened multiple tabs and made your laptop sound like it's about to take off. Always ask questions. Always report it. You're not being a nuisance; you're doing the right thing.
Most cybersecurity issues don't originate from elite hackers. They start with someone clicking on something without thinking, then being reluctant to admit it! That's what causes the real damage.
So don't be concerned about appearing foolish. Instead, worry about staying silent when something feels wrong. Ask first, click later. That mindset alone protects the business more than any piece of technology!
P.S. If you receive an email saying your parcel is on the way and you didn't order anything, don't click on it. You haven't suddenly become lucky. You're being lured into a trap.

Simon Lewis · Answer

The most valuable advice I give to new employees is to think before you click, respond, or take action when something feels urgent or unusual. Having spent years investigating mobile security incidents at Certo, I've observed that the vast majority of security breaches exploit one common weakness: the human tendency to bypass critical thinking when pressure is applied.
Cybercriminals deliberately create scenarios designed to trigger automatic responses. Whether it's a seemingly urgent email from the CEO requesting immediate action, a suspicious link disguised as a legitimate company resource, or a caller claiming to be from IT support who needs your password right now - these attacks exploit the natural human desire to be helpful and responsive.
The practice I recommend is simple but powerful: implement a personal "pause and verify" protocol. When any request feels urgent, contains unusual details, or asks for sensitive information, take a moment to verify its legitimacy through a separate communication channel. This might mean calling the supposed sender using a number you already have, asking a colleague to confirm the request, or double-checking with IT through official channels.
This approach protects both you and the company because modern cyber attacks often target individuals as entry points to broader systems. A single compromised credential can cascade into a company-wide security incident, affecting not just your data but potentially thousands of customers or business partners.
What makes this advice particularly relevant is that security measures like two-factor authentication and encrypted email are meaningless if a human is still manipulated into providing access. Technology can only go so far - the human element remains the most critical line of defense.
The beauty of this practice is that it becomes second nature with repetition. Eventually, that brief pause before taking action becomes automatic, and you'll find yourself naturally identifying potentially suspicious requests before they create problems.

Chinyelu Karibi-Whyte · Answer

One piece of advice I always give new hires is to adopt a "zero-trust" mindset: assume that every email, link, or download could be malicious until you've verified its source.
Protect yourself by:* Always verifying senders before you click. If something feels off, like unexpected attachments, odd phrasing, or strange URLs, pause and confirm via a separate channel (e.g., a quick Teams or Slack message).* Using strong, unique passwords stored in a reputable password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication everywhere it's offered.* Keeping your devices and apps up to date so you have the latest security fixes.
Protect the company by:* Reporting anything suspicious immediately to your IT or security team. Early detection stops threats from spreading.* Following and never bypassing security policies, whether that's using only approved cloud services or encrypting sensitive files.* Sharing what you learn: if you spot a clever phishing attempt, let your teammates know so they don't fall for the same trick.
Training yourself to question unexpected requests, locking down your own account with MFA, and speaking up at the first sign of trouble makes your own work safer and helps you build a culture of resilience that protects everyone.

Trevor Horwitz · Answer

One thing I always tell new employees is to slow down and trust their instincts. Most security issues don't occur because someone hacks a firewall. They happen because someone clicks a link or responds to a message without taking a second to think it through.
Attackers are clever. They rely on urgency and familiarity. If something feels off, even slightly, it probably is. That's your signal to stop and verify. If you receive a request for access, data, or payment, confirm it using another method. Call the person. Use Slack. Don't rely on the original message, even if it looks legitimate.
Cybersecurity isn't about knowing every threat. It's about developing good habits. Pause. Ask questions. Stay aware. You don't need to be in a technical role to make a significant impact on security. Just being careful and consistent is often enough.
The teams that do this well build a strong security culture. It's not complicated, but it takes intention. Be the person who checks, who asks, and who doesn't just assume. That mindset is what keeps both you and the company protected.

Kevin Gallagher · Answer

As someone who has managed over 2,500 WordPress websites and currently maintains hundreds through wpONcall, I've seen what makes sites vulnerable.
My top cybersecurity advice for new employees is simple: understand that human behavior is the primary security vulnerability. In our experience, over 90% of website compromises aren't from sophisticated attacks but from predictable password combinations, outdated plugins, or clicking suspicious links.
One practical step we implement for all clients is creating a dedicated email address solely for critical accounts. This separates your important logins from your regular email that receives potentially malicious messages, significantly reducing your attack surface.
We recently helped a client recover from a breach where an employee's WordPress admin credentials were compromised through a phishing email. Our daily backups saved them, but the incident could have been prevented with proper account isolation and awareness of social engineering tactics.

Mino Kim · Answer

The most important aspect is not a tip but a mindset.
A new employee can best protect the company and themselves by viewing themselves as an extension of the security team. If an employee doesn't believe this, no amount of advice will matter.
"Welcome aboard. You're now part of the security team. Security isn't just IT's job - it's everyone's. Your actions matter."
However, this approach only works if the company itself takes security seriously. You can't expect employees to take cybersecurity seriously if leadership doesn't.
If the company treats security like a checkbox, employees will follow suit. You can't just tell people to care - they have to see that you care. This means:
- Leadership discusses security openly, regularly, and without shame.- Security isn't punished - it's supported and rewarded.- Tools are safe and easy to use.- Training is not generic but relevant.
Cybersecurity is as much about culture as it is about policy.

Allan Murphy Bruun · Answer

The first thing I tell new employees about cybersecurity is to treat every document as if it's going to be part of an FDA or MDR audit. Because in our world of life sciences, that's often the case. If it's not encrypted, version-controlled, and access-logged, it's a liability.
The most important habit is simple: don't trust email as a secure channel. We've seen vendors send change control SOPs, audit findings, and even personal data over open threads. That's not just careless. Under EU MDR and ISO 13485:2016, that's noncompliance. We train every new hire to move sensitive activity into our validated QMS, where access is controlled and every action leaves a traceable log.
In addition to that, credential hygiene is crucial. Weak passwords and shared logins are still the easiest way attackers get in. We use enforced MFA and quarterly access reviews, as should anyone dealing with regulated data. If you're not sure where to store or send something, assume it's unsafe until IT confirms otherwise.
Cybersecurity isn't about paranoia; it's about traceability. If you can't show who accessed what, when, and why, you don't have a secure system. You have a blind spot. And in this industry, blind spots don't stay hidden for long.

Jacob Kalvo · Answer

One of the tips that I typically give to a new employee when setting them on the path of cybersecurity awareness is to treat every email, link, or file with skepticism as a potential threat—especially when unexpected or when it appears to be urgent. Cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated and often send malicious emails pretending to come from legitimate companies, using their branding, and sometimes even mentioning internal names or projects. I have encountered instances where perpetrators impersonated CEOs or department heads to ask employees for urgent file transfers or money transfers. In such cases, a quick call or internal chat to verify would have prevented serious damage.
In an effort to protect themselves and their company, I encourage each new employee to use a password manager for generating and storing strong, unique passwords for each platform, never using the same password for different accounts. We also have multi-factor authentication (MFA) set up on all business-critical systems, making sure to communicate that it is not just an inconvenience but a crucial security layer. Beyond this, we train our teams to recognize common phishing signs: mismatched email addresses, unusual grammar, a sense of urgency, or suspicious file attachments. Ensuring that suspicious activities are reported to IT personnel immediately, even if someone is unsure about it, may well be the difference between a close call and a full-blown security breach.

Ammar Naeem · Answer

Always think before you click. My top advice to any new employee is to treat every unexpected email, link, or file with healthy suspicion. Phishing is still the most common entry point for cyberattacks. When in doubt, verify the source—don't just trust the logo or name. Use strong, unique passwords (with a password manager), enable 2FA, and never share credentials—even with someone who "sounds official." Your caution can protect not just you, but the entire company.

Karl Threadgold · Answer

I've seen countless data breaches occur simply because someone used 'password123' or reused their Netflix password for work accounts. Take 10 minutes to set up a password manager and enable two-factor authentication. It saved me from a potential security incident last month when someone attempted to break into my work account from Russia.

Len Berkowitz · Answer

As a healthcare practitioner running a men's health clinic, my top cybersecurity advice is to treat sensitive data with the same privacy protocols we use for protected health information. At our Center for Men's Health, we handle intimate medical details daily, making us prime targets for data breaches.
Our practice implemented a "need-to-know" access policy for patient records that dramatically reduced our vulnerability surface. When we onboarded our team member Mike from his EMT background, we established clear boundaries about which systems he could access during training versus after certification.
I've witnessed how compounding pharmacy partners like Wells Pharmacy Network become targets through their association with medical practices. This taught me to verify the security practices of every third-party vendor before sharing any data—something any employee can implement by questioning how external tools will handle company information.
The most valuable security measure isn't technical but behavioral: cultivate healthy skepticism. When we receive unexpected requests for patient information—even from seemingly legitimate sources—we independently verify through established channels before responding. This verification habit has prevented numerous potential breaches at our clinic and requires zero technical expertise.

Mikey Moran · Answer

The internet is a bit like a busy airport—you keep your head on your shoulders, keep your bag closed, and never accept a strange USB drive from just anybody.
My number one suggestion to all new employees is this: assume that you are being targeted, whether or not you believe you are important enough to be targeted. Cyber threats are not concerned about titles; they are concerned about access.
One simple habit I'm dedicated to: Lock the screen the moment you walk away—yes, even for 30 seconds. It's simple, straightforward, and prevents accidental exposure, especially in public or shared workspace settings.
I recommend taking a moment before you act. Cyberattacks thrive on feelings of urgency—"click now," "your account is about to be shut off," etc. If something seems designed to scare you into acting quickly, hold off. Clear minds click more wisely.
Cybersecurity is no longer the sole responsibility of the IT team—now it is everyone's responsibility through tiny, everyday decisions.

Doug Lindqvist · Answer

As a signage manufacturer, I've seen how physical security and digital security are actually similar - both are only as strong as their weakest point. My advice: treat company data like those site induction signs we make - nobody gets access without proper verification and training.
In our early days, we had a supplier attempt to compromise our systems after an employee clicked what looked like a shipping confirmation email. Now we implement a simple "call to verify" system for any external payment requests or account changes, which has stopped several phishing attempts.
When we're printing sensitive custom designs for mining sites or high-security facilities, we require proper authentication channels rather than just relying on email approvals. Training our team to follow verification processes for both manufacturing requests and digital communications has created consistency that protects everyone.
Manufacturing businesses like ours face unique risks with intellectual property. We secure our design files with access controls and train our team to recognize when someone is requesting files through unusual channels. Cybersecurity isn't about complex systems - it's about consistent human behavior.

Nick Mullen · Answer

Treat your login credentials the same way you would treat your bank account information. Be wary of e-mails or websites asking you to log in to something unexpectedly, the same way you exercise caution when a website unexpectedly asked you for your credit card information. In the workplace, your login credentials are oftentimes all that an attacker needs to begin a cyberattack.

Brad Besner · Answer

As the founder of Security Camera King, I've seen how security awareness extends beyond physical cameras into the digital realm. My top advice for new employees is to implement visible security measures that act as deterrents - this applies to cybersecurity too.
Just as businesses strategically place visible cameras to prevent fraudulent incident claims, displaying cybersecurity badges and compliance certifications on your workstation signals to potential attackers that you're not an easy target. Our customers who visibly demonstrate their security measures experience fewer attempts at breaches.
Document everything digital - conversations, unusual emails, access requests. When our technical support team troubleshoots customer issues, complete documentation helps us identify patterns in security problems before they become major breaches. This practice has saved several of our clients from sophisticated phishing attempts.
Security shouldn't be entirely hidden. While some businesses prefer low-profile surveillance, those who make certain security elements highly visible often prevent incidents completely rather than just capturing evidence after the fact. The same principle applies to your digital workspace.

Mike Ouwerkerk · Answer

I believe the answer lies within your question - "How can they best protect themselves..."
Honestly, forget about trying to protect the company. The best approach is to inform people that what they learn will personally protect them from cyber scams, ultimately saving them money and time by reducing or, ideally, eliminating the risk of being hacked.
So, when discussing cyber awareness, always emphasize the personal impact of having good knowledge in this area.
Now, of course, the challenge you face as a company is to ensure that the content you distribute is relatable (i.e., for home use) and that what employees learn also applies to the business.

16 Cybersecurity Awareness Tips for New Employees

Table of Contents

16 Cybersecurity Awareness Tips for New Employees

Trust Your Instincts and Report Suspicions

Implement a Personal Pause and Verify Protocol

Adopt a Zero-Trust Mindset for Cybersecurity

Slow Down and Trust Your Gut Feeling

Create Dedicated Email for Critical Accounts

View Yourself as Part of Security Team

Treat Documents as Potential Audit Material

Approach Unexpected Communications with Healthy Skepticism

Think Before You Click on Any Link

Use Password Managers and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Implement Need-to-Know Access for Sensitive Data

Assume You Are a Target for Cyberattacks

Verify Requests Through Proper Authentication Channels

Guard Login Credentials Like Bank Information

Display Visible Cybersecurity Measures as Deterrents

Emphasize Personal Benefits of Cybersecurity Awareness

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