Page 148 - Cyber Defense eMagazine September 2025

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Remote Work Has Blurred the Lines

The rise of hybrid and remote work has made personal cybersecurity more important than ever.
Employees use personal devices to check work email, store files in cloud accounts, and attend video
calls from home networks.

Many companies report that remote employees increase their company’s attack surface.

Here’s why:

• Home routers are rarely secured properly.
• Personal laptops may lack antivirus software.
• Kids may use the same device to browse games or unknown websites.

Suddenly, your living room becomes a weak point in a billion-dollar company’s defense.

Personal Cybersecurity: The Hidden Talent Indicator

Surprisingly, personal cybersecurity is becoming a key hiring signal for forward-thinking companies.
Candidates who understand digital risks and practice safe habits tend to:

• Be more careful with sensitive data
• Report phishing attempts faster
• Respect company policies on privacy and device usage

Cyber-awareness is now a soft skill, and it’s a marketable one.

Hiring security-minded people isn’t just good for the IT team. It creates a culture of vigilance and trust.

Business Leaders Are Taking Notice

Many businesses are investing in employee cybersecurity training, but training alone isn’t enough.
According to the University of Chicago, A one-time slideshow on phishing doesn’t change lifelong habits.
Research finds commonly mandated training, such as annual training methods, may be insufficient;
emphasizing the need for complementary approaches to better protect organizations against phishing
attacks. (New Study Reveals Gaps in Common Types of Cybersecurity Training. 2025)

What works better is individuals investing in their personal cybersecurity, where employees take the time
and make an investment to secure their own digital lives. When people protect themselves better, they
also protect the company.

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