What is Human Risk Score and How Does It Help Prevent Cybersecurity Incidents?

Human errors are a leading cause of cyber incidents. Learn how to measure and manage this risk with a Human Risk Score. Discover how security leaders use data-driven tools to lower vulnerabilities and improve overall security effectiveness.

2024-10-31

What is Human Risk Score and How Does It Help Prevent Cybersecurity Incidents?

Humans remain a key vulnerability in security breaches (95% of data breaches occurred due to human mistakes), according to World Economic From in 2023. While technology is advancing, attackers are increasingly targeting individuals through phishing, credential theft, and social engineering. So, how can you measure and manage human-related risks within your organization? This is where the Human Risk Score becomes essential. It provides a clear, quantifiable way to track and reduce the potential for human error in your organization.

What is the Human Risk Score?

The Human Risk Score is a metric used to evaluate the likelihood that a user’s actions or behaviors will result in a security breach. Just like a credit score assesses financial risk, the Human Risk Score quantifies an employee's cybersecurity risk based on factors such as phishing simulation results, password hygiene, and adherence to security protocols.

With the help of a Human Risk Score calculator, security leaders can assess the potential risk level of each employee, empowering them to take targeted actions to improve security. By integrating data from various sources, such as phishing simulations, endpoint security systems, and email security tools, the score is generated dynamically. For example, if a user consistently falls for phishing attacks, their human risk score template will reflect this, pushing them into a higher-risk category.

Picture 1: An example of Human Risk Score showing employees with highest scores

Why Should CISOs and IT Managers Care?

As a CISO or Head of IT, you’re constantly looking for ways to mitigate human-driven risks without overwhelming your security team. Traditional approaches to security awareness, such as annual trainings, often don’t take into account individual behaviors. But with a Human Risk Management platform, you can pinpoint specific employees or departments that need more focused attention.

The Human Risk Index (HRI) is a tool that helps aggregate and categorize individual risks, using behavioral data to assign a personal risk score. This approach helps you not only monitor risky behaviors but also encourages positive security habits by assigning scores that reflect both risks and vigilance.

Picture 2: An example of an industry phishing risk score that helps to monitor the companies as opposed to other companies

How Does the Human Risk Score Help Prevent Cybersecurity Incidents?

Human error continues to be one of the leading causes of cybersecurity breaches. By using a Human Risk Score, organizations can move from reactive to proactive security. Here’s how implementing this system can help prevent incidents:

1. Tailored Security Training Based on Risk Levels

Rather than subjecting all employees to the same level of security training, the Human Risk Score allows for targeted interventions. Employees with high-risk scores can receive customized phishing simulations or additional password training. For instance, security teams can track employees who are more likely to fall for phishing attacks by examining their phishing dwell time or response times from phishing simulations. Tailored interventions are far more effective than one-size-fits-all training programs.

This is where behavioral science comes into play. By understanding how employees behave during security exercises, such as responding to phishing emails, you can tailor your security awareness training to fit their needs. This approach, as detailed in Keepnet's behavioral science-based training, can significantly improve long-term security outcomes.

2. Reducing Phishing Dwell Time with Risk-Based Metrics

Phishing remains a top threat to any organization. A critical part of reducing this risk is minimizing phishing dwell time, or the period between when an attack begins and when it's detected and responded to. Employees with a higher Human Risk Score may exhibit longer dwell times, meaning they take longer to recognize or report phishing attempts. By tracking this behavior, you can take proactive measures, such as boosting awareness for employees with higher human cyber risk scores.

For example, a phishing risk score report can help highlight which departments are most vulnerable and need additional training. As discussed in the blog on phishing risk score trends, identifying these trends allows for a more focused and effective security program.

Picture 3: An example of “Phishing Dwell Time” chart

3. Clear Insights into Risk Levels

The Human Risk Index (HRI) categorizes employees into different levels, ranging from High Risk to Vigilant, based on their behaviors. This enables security teams to focus their efforts where they are most needed, prioritizing individuals or departments that present the highest risk. With this insight, you can create completion charts that track user improvement over time, as described in enhancing security awareness training with completion charts.

Employees with a high Human Risk Score might require additional safeguards, such as stricter access controls, more frequent phishing simulations, or enhanced monitoring. In contrast, vigilant employees could be rewarded for their good security habits, fostering a security-first culture throughout the organization.

4. Proactive Risk Mitigation

By tracking user risk scores in real-time, you can make proactive decisions about employee training, system access, and policy adjustments. For example, employees with privileged access to sensitive systems and high-risk behaviors should be monitored more closely, reducing the chance of an insider threat.

Using phishing dwell time distribution charts to identify how quickly different employees respond to cyber threats can further help tailor your response plans. The faster an employee reports a phishing email, the lower their personal risk score. Tracking these metrics across the entire workforce helps ensure that security awareness training is not only completed but effective.

Key Components of the Human Risk Score

To fully leverage the power of the Human Risk Score, it's essential to understand its key components and how they contribute to reducing cyber risk.

1. Behavioral Indicators

The Human Risk Score is calculated based on specific behaviors, such as failing phishing tests, reusing weak passwords, or ignoring security patches. Security teams can monitor these behaviors using a Human Risk Score template to track improvements or identify persistent vulnerabilities.

2. Impact Modifiers

Not all risky behaviors carry the same weight. For example, a C-level executive or someone with access to sensitive data poses a higher risk if they exhibit poor security practices. These individuals may have higher risk values, and their human risk score would be adjusted accordingly.

Using behavioral science to understand and modify these impact factors, as mentioned in Keepnet’s blog on behavioral science, can help create tailored security solutions that significantly lower risk exposure.

3. Risk Levels and Classification

The five-point risk scale allows organizations to rank users based on their risk scores. Employees are classified into different categories, ranging from high risk to vigilant. This classification helps security teams prioritize high-risk users and offer focused training or stricter access controls.

Tracking risk levels across the organization allows for real-time insights, providing IT leaders with a clear roadmap to mitigate risks before they evolve into security incidents.

Picture 4: An example of “Phishing Risk Score Trend Accoss Industries” chart

4. Using a Human Risk Score Calculator

To make risk scoring actionable, many organizations implement a human risk management platform that offers a Human Risk Score calculator. This tool pulls in data from multiple sources and assigns risk ranks based on behaviors and roles. This type of platform ensures that CISOs have a clear view of where vulnerabilities lie and how to reduce them effectively.

Secure Your Organization by Managing Human Risk

The Human Risk Score is more than just a number—it’s a powerful tool that allows security teams to measure, monitor, and mitigate human risk within their organization. By integrating data from multiple sources and using a Human Risk Management platform, organizations can proactively reduce their exposure to security incidents caused by human error.

Protect your companies using the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform to deliver targeted, effective training that reduces vulnerabilities by up to 92%. Leverage advanced human risk scoring methods to stay ahead of evolving threats and make data-driven decisions that protect your organization from within.

Start a free trial today to see how quantifying and managing human risk can significantly enhance your organization's security posture.

Further Reading: Dive Deeper into Human Risk Management and Security Awareness

For more insights into human risk management, security awareness strategies, and how to effectively reduce cyber risks within your organization, check out these related blogs:

These resources offer valuable guidance on how to assess and manage human-related risks and improve your organization’s security posture through targeted awareness training programs.

Schedule your 30-minute private demo now.

You'll learn how to:

Quantify and manage human risk using Keepnet Human Risk Management platform tailored to your organization’s needs.

Implement targeted, behavior-based training and phishing simulations to mitigate high-risk behaviors.

Track improvements over time using risk scorecards and completion charts to reduce vulnerabilities by up to 92%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Human Risk Index (HRI)?

The Human Risk Index (HRI) is a comprehensive model used to quantify human-related cyber risks within an organization. It aggregates data from multiple security tools to evaluate behaviors, access levels, and other risk factors, assigning each user a risk score based on their potential to cause a security breach. By analyzing behaviors like phishing susceptibility, poor password management, and adherence to security policies, the HRI categorizes users into five distinct levels of risk—ranging from High Risk to Vigilant. The HRI helps CISOs and IT managers focus their efforts on users or groups who pose the greatest threat, allowing for targeted interventions.

What is the Personal Risk Score?

The personal risk score is an individualized measurement that quantifies a person’s security risk based on their behavior, access to sensitive systems like personal information, and interactions with organizational security policies. This score takes into account actions like how often an employee fails phishing simulations, whether they reuse weak passwords, and how compliant they are with mandatory security updates. A high personal risk score indicates a greater likelihood of causing a cyber security incident. This score allows security teams to customize training and adjust security controls based on each individual’s risk profile.

What is User Risk Score?

The user risk score refers to the risk rating assigned to individual users within an organization, usually calculated by evaluating their interactions with the company’s technology and security measures. Factors contributing to the user risk score include behaviors like opening suspicious emails, failure to complete security awareness training, or poor password practices. The user risk score provides a way to proactively identify high-risk employees and take preventive action to mitigate potential threats before they escalate.

What is the Risk Value Score?

The risk value score is a quantifiable metric that represents the potential impact of a user’s behavior on the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture. This score evaluates how risky certain actions are, based on a combination of behavioral data, access privileges, and potential for damage if a security incident occurs. The higher the risk value score, the more likely that user’s actions could result in a significant security breach, prompting organizations to focus more attention on mitigating those risks.

How Do You Score Risk?

Scoring risk involves collecting and analyzing data about user behaviors, access levels, and compliance with information security protocols to assign a numerical risk rating. Tools like the Human Risk Score calculator integrate data from phishing simulations, endpoint protection systems, and other security tools to generate an overall score for each user. The scoring process often uses predefined models, such as Bayesian Networks, to weigh and combine these risk factors, helping security teams prioritize interventions based on each user's risk level.

What are the 5 Risk Rating Levels?

The 5 risk rating levels commonly used to classify users in a Human Risk Management platform are:

These categories help organizations focus on high-risk employees while encouraging positive behaviors in vigilant users.

High Risk – Users who consistently exhibit behaviors that increase the likelihood of a security incident, such as falling for phishing attempts or ignoring security protocols.
Somewhat Risky – Users who show occasional risky behaviors but are not as frequent or severe as high-risk users.
Neutral – Users who neither demonstrate vigilant behaviors nor risky ones, but maintain average security practices.
Somewhat Vigilant – Users who mostly follow security best practices but may occasionally slip up.
Vigilant – Users who consistently exhibit security-conscious behaviors, such as reporting phishing attempts or maintaining strong password hygiene.

What is the 5-Point Risk Scale?

The 5-point risk scale is a method for ranking users based on their security behaviors and the potential risks they pose. Each point on the scale reflects a level of risk, ranging from High Risk (the most dangerous) to Vigilant (the least risky). By categorizing employees into five levels, security teams can prioritize which users need more intensive interventions, such as additional training or monitoring.

What is a Risk Rating Scale?

A risk rating scale is a tool used to assign numerical or categorical values to user risk profiles. It typically ranges from low to high risk and may include intermediary levels, such as neutral or somewhat risky. This scale allows organizations to easily assess the level of risk associated with individual employees, departments, or the entire workforce, and to take action based on the assigned ratings. It’s a critical part of the Human Risk Management platform, helping teams understand and manage risks more effectively.

What are Risk Levels?

Risk levels classify the degree of threat that a user or group poses to the organization based on their behaviors and access to sensitive data like personal information. Risk levels generally include:

Tracking risk levels helps CISOs and IT managers develop tailored security awareness programs, ensuring that high-risk employees receive additional attention.

High Risk: Employees who exhibit frequent risky behaviors, like failing phishing tests or mishandling sensitive data.
Moderate Risk: Employees with occasional security missteps.
Low Risk: Employees who follow security best practices but may have minor lapses.
Vigilant: Employees who consistently follow security protocols and act as positive security role models.

What is the Risk Level Scorecard?

The risk level scorecard is a tool used by security teams to visualize and compare the risk profiles of different users or groups within the organization. This scorecard aggregates various risk factors, such as phishing susceptibility or compliance with security updates, and ranks employees into different categories based on their overall risk. The risk level scorecard provides an at-a-glance view of where security interventions are most needed, enabling organizations to take quick, informed action to reduce cyber threats.

What is Risk Rank?

Risk rank is the position assigned to users based on their relative risk to the organization. By ranking users according to their behaviors, access levels, and overall security posture, security teams can prioritize their resources and focus on the individuals or groups that pose the greatest risk. This ranking is dynamic, meaning it can change over time as employees complete security training or exhibit more vigilant behaviors.

How Do You Classify Risks?

Classifying risks involves evaluating different factors, such as user behavior, access to sensitive data, and compliance with security policies. Using a Human Risk Score template, organizations can group employees into different risk categories, such as high risk, neutral, or vigilant. This classification allows security teams to tailor interventions, focusing on reducing high-risk behaviors and encouraging vigilant practices across the workforce.

For example, an employee in a high-risk category may require additional phishing training or closer monitoring, while someone classified as vigilant might receive less frequent testing or greater autonomy in their security decisions.

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