Young employees have different attitudes to cyber crime

Why Your Youngest Employees May Be Your Biggest Cyber Security Risk

If your business employs team members aged 16 to 19, it’s essential to pay close attention to the cyber security training you're providing.

A recent study has uncovered a worrying trend: unsafe and often illegal online behaviour is becoming normalized among younger people. While we’re not talking about high-level cybercrime like ransomware or major data breaches, the research shows:

• 1 in 3 teens have admitted to engaging in digital piracy
• 1 in 4 have tracked or trolled someone online

These behaviours may not directly target your business, but the casual attitude toward digital wrongdoing can pose serious risks—especially when these habits spill over into the workplace.

The Risk to Your Business

When young employees bring personal habits like pirating software or using unlicensed applications onto work devices, they may unintentionally expose your business to:

• Malware and viruses
• Data breaches
• Compliance violations
• Reputation damage

Even seemingly harmless actions like installing illegal apps or clicking suspicious links can open the door to major security vulnerabilities.

What You Should Do

The solution is proactive and preventative: implement regular cyber security training for all employees, with tailored focus on entry-level staff and younger hires.

Effective training should:

• Explain the risks of unsafe online behaviour in a business setting
• Show how individual actions can compromise the entire organisation
• Raise awareness of common scams, phishing attempts, and data theft tactics
• Make your policies and consequences clear, especially around software use, downloads, and internet behaviour

Cyber security isn't just an IT problem it's a company-wide responsibility. Creating a security-first culture starts with education and open communication.

Need Help Delivering Cyber Awareness Training?

We specialise in creating engaging and effective cyber security training programmes tailored to your business and staff experience levels. Whether you need a one-off session or ongoing support, we can help you reduce risk and stay protected.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help secure your team and your business.

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