Human Error: The #1 Cyber Security Risk You Can Fix Today

When people think of cyber security, they often picture hackers breaking through firewalls or deploying complex malware. But the truth is, most breaches don’t start with technology, they start with people.

It could be as simple as someone clicking a link in a fake email that looks like it’s from a supplier. Or using the same password for everything. Or accidentally sending a client document to the wrong person.

These everyday mistakes can open the door to ransomware, data loss, or reputational damage that takes months to repair.

While UK-specific data varies, analyses of recent breach studies suggest that human error is involved in the vast majority of data breaches. For example, one report indicates human error contributed to 95% of breaches in 2024.

In sector reports, such as in UK law firms, analysis of ICO data shows that around 4 in 10 internal incidents were directly linked to human mistakes (e.g. misaddressed emails, mishandled data).

The consistent takeaway? Across the UK, human error continues to be a major but fixable cyber security risk that can be significantly reduced through awareness and training.

What This Means for Your Business

Most small and mid-sized businesses don’t have full-time IT security teams watching over everything. That’s why it’s so important that staff understand the basics — how to spot a fake email, what to do if they click something suspicious, and how to keep company data safe.

The good news? These skills can be learned.

Turning People from Risk into Strength

With the right awareness training, your team can go from being your biggest risk to your strongest defence.

That’s why our managed IT service includes ongoing security awareness training designed for busy teams. It helps staff:

• Recognise phishing and social engineering attacks
• Create and maintain secure passwords
• Handle sensitive data correctly
• Respond appropriately to potential threats

Training is delivered through short, engaging online modules that automatically adapt to each employee’s knowledge level. The platform regularly runs phishing simulations to test and reinforce learning, turning awareness into consistent behaviour.

Managers can track progress through a simple dashboard that shows who’s completed training, who might need extra support, and how your organisation’s overall “human risk score” is improving over time.

How It Works

1. Automated Enrolment – Employees are automatically assigned training modules based on their role and previous results.
2. Bite-sized Learning – Each module takes just a few minutes to complete and can be done on any device.
3. Simulated Phishing Campaigns – Realistic phishing emails test staff reactions and help identify knowledge gaps.
4. Ongoing Reporting – Regular insights show where your business is improving and where further training might help.
5. Policy Management – Easily share and track acceptance of key policies, like acceptable use or password policies.

Everything runs quietly in the background, keeping your team engaged without disrupting their day-to-day work.

Ready to Strengthen Your Human Firewall?

If you’re not sure whether your staff have the knowledge to protect your business, it’s time to find out.

We help organisations of all sizes stay secure with enterprise-level protection without the in-house cost.

Get in touch today to see how we can help protect your people, and your business, from cyber threats.