New Team Member, New Cyber Risk?

Bringing on a new employee is always exciting. But have you thought about what that means for your business’s cyber security?

When someone new joins the team, most business owners focus on the basics: a laptop, email account, system access, and a warm welcome. What often gets missed is that the first few months of employment are one of the riskiest periods for a cyber attack.

Why new starters are prime targets

A recent report revealed that 71% of new hires fall for phishing or social engineering attacks within their first 90 days. That means cyber criminals are actively targeting your newest staff, and often succeeding.

Think about what it’s like to start a new job. You’re eager to make a good impression, unsure of internal processes, and quick to respond to requests from managers or IT. Cyber criminals know this and use it to their advantage.

They send fake emails that appear to come from HR, IT, or senior management. They might ask your new staff member to update details on a fake portal, pay an invoice, or share confidential files. Because they don’t yet know what’s normal, new employees are 44% more likely to click malicious links than their experienced colleagues.

The result? A single click could expose your business to ransomware, data theft, or compliance breaches.

What you can do about it

The solution is simple, but it needs to start early.

Cyber security awareness training should be part of your onboarding checklist, not something you add later. New staff should learn how to recognise phishing emails, spot social engineering tactics, and know exactly what to do if something feels off.

Companies that include tailored training during onboarding see their phishing risk drop by up to 30%. That is a significant improvement with minimal effort.

Combine training with strong protection

Awareness alone is not enough. You also need the right technical safeguards in place such as secure email filtering, device management, and multi-factor authentication. At Vaelis IT, we help local businesses on the Northern Beaches and North Shore combine the right mix of security tools and staff education to keep their data safe.

Our Cybersecurity services include simulated phishing campaigns, tailored onboarding training, and advanced protection for Microsoft 365 environments. It is a simple way to ensure your newest people become your strongest defence, not your weakest link.

If you would like help setting up cyber awareness training or want to strengthen your overall security posture, get in touch with us today.