In an era where data breaches are a constant threat, we’ve gathered eight expert strategies from founders, presidents, and other leaders to bolster your company’s data privacy training. From instilling caution with real consequences to tailoring training to company culture, these insights offer a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing employee vigilance. Discover how to weave these tactics into your organization’s fabric and safeguard sensitive information effectively.
- Instill Caution with Real Consequences
- Conduct Regular Scenario-Based Training
- Repeat Data Security Principles Often
- Engage with Stories and Studies
- Combine Training Modules with Quizzes
- Implement Interactive E-Learning Modules
- Foster Collaborative Privacy Knowledge Sharing
- Tailor Training to Company Culture
Instill Caution with Real Consequences
Lead with honest fear. When it comes to such a sensitive subject as data privacy and private information, it’s quintessential that everyone knows what they are handling, why they should care, and what happens if it is mismanaged. Let them know that in order for clients and partners to trust the business, they need to have full faith that their information is handled with the utmost concern.
You can lead with examples of lawsuits where consumers sued an entity for mishandling or accidentally exposing certain matters. You can discuss the impacts on revenue and the potential PR crisis that would arise. Ultimately, you want your team to treat this data as if it were their own Social Security number. “You wouldn’t want your Social Security number posted online, and neither do our clients.”
Isaac Mashman
Founder, Mashman Ventures
Conduct Regular Scenario-Based Training
I ensure the team’s proficiency in data privacy and sensitive information handling through effective training. Regular scenario-based sessions are conducted where employees face realistic data privacy and security situations.
They make decisions on sensitive data handling, identify potential breaches, and tackle security challenges, making learning practical and memorable.
Besides these sessions, regular updates on the latest data protection regulations and best practices are provided to keep the team informed and adaptable in the evolving data security landscape.
Eugene Klimaszewski
President, Mammoth Security
Repeat Data Security Principles Often
Employees are all aware of the fact that data privacy is a big deal; it’s just putting that idea into practice that they seem to struggle with. My advice—from experience—never stop talking about it. I mean it; be relentless about it. Remind everyone what they shouldn’t be doing, what constitutes dangerous behavior, and what gets them in trouble. The more you repeat it, the more they remember it.
It feels silly, but without this type of action, there will always be someone who makes a false move—or three—and before you know it, you’re getting hacked, and classified info is just out there for the taking, and you’re in big trouble.
Take it from me, never get tired of drilling it home that information safety is extremely important.
Rick Berres
Owner, Honey-Doers
Engage with Stories and Studies
Raising awareness and training employees on data privacy requires an engaging approach. As people are generally attracted to anecdotes about others, leveraging human interest in stories is key. Therefore, a crucial aspect of training involves sharing recent case studies that highlight instances where data was mishandled, emphasizing real-world consequences.
To ensure comprehension and retention, incorporating scenario-based learning and testing follows in a similar vein. Through practical cases, we challenge employees to apply their knowledge and decision-making skills in handling sensitive information. To further enhance understanding, situations with slight variations provide greater exposure to the different nuances of similar cases.
Trendy Tan
Marketing Senior, Kepler Search
Combine Training Modules with Quizzes
An effective training strategy is to create short, interactive modules focused on key policies and best practices.
For example, a 10-minute online module can cover topics like identifying and labeling sensitive data, restricting access on a need-to-know basis, using encryption for email and storage, and reporting any data loss or theft incidents immediately. The module can include simple quizzes and examples to check understanding.
By making the training short and relevant, employees are more likely to pay attention and retain the material. This helps foster a culture where data privacy is a priority, and employees understand their role and responsibilities in properly handling customer data.
Vinika Garg
Chief Operating Officer, Webomaze
Implement Interactive E-Learning Modules
To instill awareness of data privacy and educate employees on the proper handling of sensitive information, an effective training strategy involves the implementation of interactive e-learning modules. These modules offer a versatile and engaging approach to learning that resonates with employees and reinforces crucial concepts.
Interactive e-learning modules are designed to actively engage employees in the learning process. They include multimedia elements, simulations, quizzes, and real-world scenarios. By immersing employees in these interactive experiences, they gain a deeper understanding of data privacy principles.
One key advantage of e-learning is its self-paced nature. Employees can access modules at their convenience, accommodating their schedules and learning preferences. These modules often feature assessments and quizzes that provide immediate feedback, allowing employees to gauge their understanding and identify areas for improvement.
Progress tracking is another significant benefit. Employers can monitor employees’ progress and completion of modules, ensuring compliance and identifying any gaps in knowledge or skills.
Moreover, e-learning modules promote consistency in training across the organization, regardless of location or work schedule. This uniform approach ensures that all employees develop a consistent understanding of data privacy practices.
To maximize the effectiveness of this strategy, it’s crucial to tailor the e-learning content to align with your organization’s specific data privacy policies and industry regulations. Regular updates to the modules keep employees informed about evolving privacy threats and best practices.
By incorporating interactive e-learning modules into your training program, you create an engaging and dynamic learning environment that fosters a culture of data privacy awareness and responsible information handling among employees. This, in turn, strengthens your organization’s data security posture.
Jonathan Hedger
Cofounder and Chief Marketing Officer, OnlyDataJobs.com
Foster Collaborative Privacy Knowledge Sharing
Encourage employees to share their experiences and knowledge about data privacy and handling sensitive information through internal forums or discussion boards. This creates a collaborative learning environment and fosters a sense of responsibility. It promotes a strong awareness culture by allowing employees to learn from each other’s insights and mistakes.
Ben Lau
Founder, Featured SEO Company
Tailor Training to Company Culture
Although the privacy culture is becoming increasingly popular and important among companies around the globe, one of the most important mechanisms to enhance its awareness is through learning and education.
There is a wide range of techniques that can achieve a high level of privacy culture among the workforce. However, before choosing which ones to implement as part of your program, it is fundamental to understand your company’s culture and habits.
Some methods can work very well for some organizations, while others will not provide the expected results. I particularly like interactive tools, such as quizzes (with prizes) and tabletop exercises for specific teams.
Adriana Antunes Winkler
Data Protection Officer, Reyes Holdings
