Fortinet's 2024 Report Reveals Solution to Stop Cyberattacks Now: Strengthen Your Team and Defenses

As businesses become more digitally connected, cyber threats are growing faster than ever before. The 2024 Fortinet Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report reveals an alarming rise in concerns over employee cybersecurity skills. A staggering 67% of organizations are worried that their employees lack the basic security awareness needed to protect the company—up from 56% just last year. This gap in awareness is leaving many businesses dangerously exposed to cyberattacks. You can read more details on this in Fortinet’s full report.

If you’re a business leader or responsible for keeping your team safe, it’s important to know what’s at stake and how to fix it. At Cyber Hoplite, we’re here to help you navigate these risks and build a stronger, more secure organization. Let’s break down what Fortinet’s report uncovered, why it matters, and how your business can take action.

The Cybersecurity Crisis: A Wake-Up Call

Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, and their impact is more devastating than ever. According to Fortinet’s 2024 report, 87% of organizations experienced a breach in the past year, with many pointing to a lack of employee training as a key factor. This trend is not isolated—data from the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report echoes this finding, highlighting that 74% of breaches involved the human element, whether through errors, misuse, or social engineering tactics. Clearly, the human factor is one of the weakest links in cybersecurity.

The consequences of these breaches are severe. More than 50% of organizations reported that breaches cost them over $1 million in 2023 alone, a significant financial hit. This figure has been rising steadily as cyberattacks become more costly and complex to manage. IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report supports this, showing that the average cost of a data breach has reached an all-time high of $4.45 million globally, and these costs are only set to rise.

Why Employee Awareness Is Key

The biggest threat to your business might not be the hackers—it could be your own workforce. Most cyberattacks, such as phishing scams, rely on human error to succeed. Employees who aren’t trained to recognize phishing attempts or malicious links can unintentionally open the door to attacks that cause lasting damage. The 2023 Microsoft Digital Defense Report warns that phishing attacks are growing in volume and sophistication, making it harder for untrained employees to detect these threats.

Unfortunately, this knowledge gap is growing. Fortinet’s report highlights that businesses across the globe are feeling the effects of a cybersecurity skills gap, with 51% of executives now facing penalties or job loss due to breaches stemming from internal mistakes. Without proper training, employees can easily fall prey to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Fortinet’s data shows that phishing and malware are the most common attack vectors, and both rely on exploiting the weakest link: untrained employees.

Fortinet’s Three-Step Solution

So, how can businesses close this skills gap and protect themselves from escalating cyber threats? Fortinet recommends a three-step approach to improve cybersecurity across the board:

1. Invest in Employee Training:

   Fortinet stresses the importance of upskilling employees. It’s not enough for only IT teams to be aware of the risks—everyone in the company, from interns to senior executives, needs to be trained to recognize threats. Regular training helps employees stay alert to common tactics like phishing and malware. Studies from the SANS Institute suggest that security awareness training can reduce phishing click-through rates by up to 60%, dramatically reducing the risk of breaches.

   
   

2. Implement Advanced Security Technology:

   Along with employee training, it’s vital to have the right technology in place to defend your business. Automated threat detection, firewalls, and layered security can catch potential attacks before they penetrate your defenses. This recommendation aligns with Gartner’s 2024 cybersecurity predictions, which highlight the growing importance of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions to identify and mitigate threats faster than traditional methods.

   
   

3. Encourage Continuous Learning:

   Cybersecurity isn’t static. Threats evolve, and so should your defenses. Fortinet emphasizes the need for continuous education and certification programs to keep your team one step ahead of cybercriminals. Regular updates and learning opportunities ensure your workforce stays equipped to handle new threats as they emerge. Fortinet’s resources outline best practices for keeping teams up-to-date.

How Cyber Hoplite Can Help

At Cyber Hoplite, we recognize the importance of cybersecurity at every level of your organization. That’s why we’ve developed services designed to close the skills gap and strengthen your company’s defenses. Here’s how we can help:

• Free Cybersecurity Checkup:

  Our free checkup is the perfect starting point. We help you identify vulnerabilities in your current security setup and provide clear, actionable recommendations. Whether you’re concerned about phishing risks or want to know if your security systems are up to date, we’re here to give you peace of mind.

  
  

• Cybersecurity Essentials Training:

  Our Cybersecurity Essentials Training empowers your entire team, from entry-level staff to executives, with the skills they need to spot and prevent common threats. Our training sessions are designed to be practical and engaging, giving your employees real-world knowledge that can be applied immediately. This training can help your workforce become the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

  
  

• In-Depth Cybersecurity Workshop:

  For companies facing complex challenges or needing more specialized guidance, we offer a customized Cybersecurity Workshop tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re in a highly regulated industry or facing specific threats, we create a training program that aligns with your business goals and security requirements.

  
  

By partnering with us, you’re not just protecting your business today—you’re building a resilient cybersecurity strategy for the future.

Why You Should Act Now

Cyber threats are increasing in both frequency and complexity, as Fortinet’s report shows. Waiting until a breach occurs could mean millions in lost revenue, fines, and irreversible reputational damage. But by investing in your team’s education and using the right security tools, you can drastically reduce your risk of being the next victim.

At Cyber Hoplite, we’re committed to being your trusted partner in navigating the complex world of cybersecurity. Whether you need a quick checkup, essential training for your employees, or a deep dive into your cybersecurity posture, we’re here to help.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule your free cybersecurity checkup today and take the first step toward securing your business.