What does increased user awareness help employees to recognize?

Increased user awareness is critical in the context of information security as it significantly enhances an employee's ability to identify suspicious activities. When employees are trained to recognize anomalies or behaviors that deviate from the norm, they become more vigilant and proactive in safeguarding sensitive information.

Such awareness encompasses various indicators of potential insider threats, phishing attempts, or other malicious activities that may compromise security. By fostering a culture of security awareness, organizations empower employees to act as the first line of defense, effectively identifying threats before they escalate into more significant security breaches. This training often includes recognizing unusual login attempts, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or other irregularities that could indicate a breach or insider threat.

While awareness may touch upon other aspects of the workplace, its primary focus in terms of security is on enabling employees to spot and report suspicious behavior, thereby contributing to the overall security posture of the organization.