The provision of Security Awareness Software Services and Support

The OPW has approx. 2,400 end users who operate across 140. no sites across Ireland. Email services are provided via MS-Office365 and email security filtering is delivered via Fortra Clearswift. The majority of end users access email via an Outlook client or a through a browser but a substantial number use use a mobile device exclusively (MS-Office 365 running on Samsung/Android). The OPW is aware that the landscape of Cyber Security is continually evolving and the task of protecting an organisation from threats to people, data and reputation is constant. Effective cybersecurity is a chain involving ICT systems, software, networks and most importantly the people who interact with this technology. General consensus is that users are considered one of the weakest links in the cybersecurity chain and are frequently the initial point of contact that can allow bad actors to bypass security controls and gain a foothold in the organisation’s network. Security awareness training can be a key element in preventing security incidents and mitigating risks associated with human behaviour. In it’s essence it is designed to help users understand the role they play in combatting security breaches and adopting good cyber hygiene practices. Traditionally, this tends to focus on forcing people to adopt safer behaviours and requiring a determined effort to change their actions, often using fear as a motivating factor. Done badly, it can result in resistance or negative sentiment towards the program itself with users citing the lack of available time to participate in such programs and procrastination in completing required training modules. While formal cyber security training programs still serve a purpose, OPW would like to augment this with the alternative tactic of adjusting user behaviour using more real-time and context-based nudges on devices, within email and browsers to assist them in making the right decisions when it matters, resulting in a more informed user and a better training program overall. OPW is seeking the provision of a context-aware solution to provide this functionality in respect of its Internet browsing, email and other end-user services.