6 Human Risk Indicators That Could Compromise Your Cybersecurity

Human behavior continues to be one of the biggest vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. From weak passwords to phishing attacks, simple mistakes can open the door to major breaches. According to Cybersecurity Insiders, the number of organizations reporting insider attacks rose from 66% to 76%, highlighting a sharp increase in internal threats. The shift to hybrid work is amplifying this risk—70% of security leaders express concern about insider threats in less controlled, remote environments. Additionally, 75% are increasingly worried about the misuse of emerging technologies like AI, the Metaverse, and Quantum Computing, which could empower attackers from within.

This blog post explores 6 critical human risk indicators that could compromise your organization’s cybersecurity—and how you can proactively manage and reduce these risks.

Human Risk Factors in Cybersecurity

Human behavior is one of the most unpredictable and exploited elements in cybersecurity. Mistakes like clicking on phishing links, reusing weak passwords, or misconfiguring systems often create easy entry points for attackers. In other cases, malicious insiders intentionally bypass security controls to steal data or compromise critical operations. These risks highlight the urgent need to integrate human risk management into every layer of your cybersecurity strategy. In the sections ahead, we’ll walk through six of the most critical human-related risks and how to effectively reduce their impact.

Risk 1: Weak or Reused Passwords

Passwords remain the first line of defense—and one of the weakest links—in corporate cybersecurity. Yet poor password hygiene continues to be a major vulnerability. Weak or reused passwords contributed to 81% of corporate data breaches, making them a favored entry point for cybercriminals. From shared credentials across platforms to easily guessable passwords, these bad habits expose critical systems to unnecessary risk. Strengthening password policies and encouraging the use of password managers are essential steps in closing this gap.​

Why Poor Password Hygiene Puts Your Organization at Risk

Weak password habits open the door to unauthorized access, data leaks, and full-blown breaches. When employees reuse passwords or choose simple ones, attackers can easily crack or guess them—sometimes within seconds. To minimize this risk, organizations must enforce strong password policies, require multi-factor authentication, and promote the use of password managers to store and generate secure credentials.

Risk 2: Falling for Phishing Attacks

Phishing continues to be one of the most effective tactics in a cybercriminal’s playbook. In fact, more than 90% of successful cyberattacks begin with a single click on a malicious link—often disguised in what looks like a routine email. (Source) These attacks exploit human factors in cybersecurity, tricking users into giving up credentials, downloading malware, or granting unauthorized access.

What’s making phishing even more dangerous today is the rise of AI-powered phishing tools. Cybercriminals are now using generative AI to craft emails that are grammatically flawless, contextually relevant, and highly convincing—making them much harder for the average employee to detect. Phishing is no longer limited to clumsy scams—it’s now a highly targeted and adaptive threat that can deceive even tech-savvy users, turning everyday employees into potential entry points for attackers.

How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

Effective phishing defense starts with consistent, targeted education. Employees must learn how to recognize suspicious signs—such as unexpected attachments, unfamiliar sender addresses, and urgent language designed to provoke panic. Simply telling users to “be careful” isn’t enough; they need practical, scenario-based training that sticks.

This is where solutions like Keepnet’s hyper-personalized Security Awareness Training come into play. It adapts to individual knowledge gaps and roles, ensuring each employee receives relevant, digestible content. Pair that with the adaptive, AI-powered Phishing Simulator, and organizations can safely test employees with real-life phishing scenarios—tailored to mimic the exact threats they’re most likely to face.

Regular simulations and targeted training not only reduce human error in cybersecurity, they also transform your team from a vulnerability into a proactive line of defense. According to Keepnet research, cybersecurity awareness training led to a 70% reduction in security-related risks.

For an in-depth understanding of how phishing emails are structured and how to spot them in real time, explore Keepnet’s detailed guide on Step-by-Step Phishing Email Analysis.

Risk 3: Lack of Security Awareness and Training

When employees lack the knowledge to recognize and respond to cyber threats, your organization becomes an easy target. Whether it’s clicking a malicious link, misconfiguring access settings, or unknowingly disclosing sensitive information, these actions often stem from a simple lack of basic cyber hygiene and awareness.

This issue is amplified by a growing industry-wide problem: the cybersecurity skills gap. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025, the skills gap has widened by 8% since 2024. Two out of three organizations say they lack critical cybersecurity skills, and only 14% feel confident their teams have the expertise needed to protect against modern threats.

This isn’t just a technical shortfall—it’s a human risk. When employees don’t understand how to recognize threats or follow security protocols, even the best tools can fall short. That’s why it’s critical to invest in continuous, role-specific Security Awareness Training. By closing the knowledge gap internally, you reduce human error in cybersecurity and build a culture of vigilance across your entire organization.

Why Employees Are the Weakest Link in Cybersecurity

Employees are often the easiest entry point for cybercriminals—making them the weakest link in any organization’s security chain. Attackers exploit human behavior through deception, urgency, and impersonation—knowing it’s far simpler to manipulate a person than to bypass advanced security systems. They use convincing phishing emails, fake login pages, or impersonate trusted contacts to lure employees into clicking malicious links, sharing credentials, or downloading malware. These actions often stem from a lack of awareness or training—not malicious intent.

The risk is not theoretical—it’s immediate. According to the 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report by Ventures, the median time to click on a malicious link is just 21 seconds, and users typically enter their credentials within another 28 seconds. That means an entire phishing attack can succeed in less than one minute.

To better understand how attackers use psychological tactics like fear, curiosity, or urgency to trick users, check out Keepnet’s in-depth article on Phishing Examples by Emotional Triggers: How Scammers Exploit Human Emotions.

Risk 4: Unsafe Use of Public Wi-Fi and Unsecured Networks

Public Wi-Fi may be convenient, but it’s also a hotspot for cyber threats. When employees connect to unsecured networks—like those in cafes, airports, or hotels—they risk exposing sensitive company data to interception. Cybercriminals can easily monitor traffic on open networks, steal login credentials, or inject malware without users ever knowing.

How to Protect Your Data on Public Networks

To reduce this risk, employees should always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing corporate systems outside the office. A VPN encrypts internet traffic, making it unreadable to attackers lurking on the same network. Organizations should also implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies on smartphones, tablets, and laptops—ensuring that devices are compliant and data remains protected, even in less secure environments.

For more practical steps and expert tips, read Keepnet’s guide on How to Use Public Wi-Fi Safely.

Risk 5: Insider Threats and Unauthorized Access

Not all cyber threats come from hackers—many originate from people inside your organization. Insider threats—whether intentional or accidental—can lead to data leaks, fraud, or system disruptions. These risks often involve employees, contractors, or partners misusing access to sensitive systems.

According to the Cybersecurity Insiders’ 2024 Insider Threat Report, 83% of organizations experienced at least one insider attack, highlighting how widespread and serious this issue has become.

To mitigate these risks, businesses must enforce strict access controls, monitor user activity, and incorporate insider risk policies as part of their broader human risk management approach.

How to Prevent Data Breaches from Internal Sources

Preventing insider threats starts with controlling who has access to what—and why. Use the principle of least privilege to ensure employees only have access to the data and systems necessary for their roles. Pair this with real-time user activity monitoring to quickly detect unusual or unauthorized behavior.

Conduct regular security audits to identify gaps in access controls and enforce compliance. Just as crucial is fostering a culture of accountability, where employees understand the importance of data protection and feel empowered to speak up when something seems off.

To dive deeper into why some threats go unreported, explore Keepnet’s insights on Why Employees Fail to Report Insider Threats: Understanding the Psychology Behind Inaction.

Risk 6: Social Engineering and Manipulation Tactics

Cybercriminals don’t just hack systems—they manipulate people. Social engineering relies on deception, urgency, and trust to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or granting access. These attacks often appear harmless on the surface, but they’re designed to exploit human emotions and decision-making shortcuts.

How Cybercriminals Exploit Human Psychology

Social engineering attacks work because they target people—not systems. Cybercriminals use tactics like pretexting, baiting, and impersonation to create urgency, trust, or fear, tricking employees into revealing information or bypassing security protocols.

To defend against these manipulative tactics, train employees to pause, question, and verify any unexpected or sensitive request. Encouraging a culture of verification—where it’s normal to double-check before acting—can significantly reduce the success of these attacks.

To build long-term resilience, consider implementing a Security Behavior and Culture Program (SBCP). These programs go beyond awareness by embedding secure behaviors into daily routines—making your workforce more mindful, vigilant, and resistant to social engineering threats.

Turning Human Risk into Human Defense

Cybersecurity isn't just about firewalls and encryption—it's about people. The risks outlined in this post—weak passwords, phishing attacks, lack of training, unsafe networks, insider threats, and social engineering—all share one thing in common: they stem from human behavior.

But here's the good news: just as people are often the weakest link, they can also become your strongest line of defense. With the right tools, training, and strategies, organizations can shift from reactive security to proactive resilience.

To take the next step, explore the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform. Keepnet’s Extended Human Risk Management solution empowers organizations to build a strong security culture through AI-driven phishing simulations, adaptive training, and automated phishing response. It's designed to help eliminate employee-driven threats, insider risks, and social engineering—across your workforce and beyond.

Check out the latest episode from Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training Podcast on YouTube to explore key human risk indicators that could put your cybersecurity at risk.