In today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for organisations of all sizes. With threats of various kinds evolving rapidly, increased availability of tools to cybercriminals and the cost of data breaches rising, organisations are under massive pressure to safeguard their digital assets. A common debate in this space revolves around a central question: when it comes to cybersecurity, what matters more – your employees’ online behaviour or the strength of protection technologies?
The short answer is: both matter. But to fully understand their roles, we need to explore how each contributes to your cyber resilience—and why an overreliance on one can leave critical gaps.
The role of protection technology
Robust cybersecurity technologies form the first line of defence. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, endpoint protection, encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are all essential tools in defending against external threats. These systems are designed to detect and mitigate suspicious activity, restrict unauthorised access, and secure data from malware, ransomware, and other forms of attack.
With the rise of AI-powered threats, modern security tools are increasingly using automation and machine learning to detect anomalies and respond in real time – an essential feature in preventing sophisticated attacks that can bypass traditional defences.
But here’s the catch: no matter how advanced the technology, it can’t completely eliminate human error or insider threats. That’s where your employees’ behaviour comes in.
The human factor
People remain one of the leading causes of security breaches. According to the World Economic Forum in its 2022 Global Risks Report, 95% of cybersecurity issues are traceable to human error. Clicking on phishing emails, using weak passwords, mishandling sensitive data or falling for social engineering tactics can all open the door to cyberattacks. Even the most secure system can be undermined by an uninformed, careless or simply busy employee. Some of the most high-profile recent attacks have taken place because of a lapse of concentration in the accounts department or your supply chain.
Employees are the gatekeepers to your organisation’s data, which makes their behaviour a critical factor in cybersecurity. Training programmes, simulated phishing attacks and a culture of security awareness are necessary to ensure that staff recognise risks and act responsibly online. The goal is to turn employees from potential vulnerabilities into active participants in your organisation’s cybersecurity strategy.
So, which is more important?
Trying to determine whether employee behaviour or protection technology is more important is a bit like asking whether the foundation or the roof is more crucial in a house. You need both. Without reliable technology, you leave the door open to technical exploits. Without informed and vigilant employees, you create weak points that technology alone cannot fix.
The most effective cybersecurity strategies view technology and human behaviour as complementary. Good tools protect against what people can’t see; good training helps people avoid the mistakes that tools can’t always catch.
The bottom line
Cybersecurity is not a one-size-fits-all equation. It requires a layered approach that blends the strength of modern security technologies with the awareness and vigilance of every employee. Organisations that invest equally in both will be far better prepared to handle today’s complex threat landscape.
In the end, the best firewall in the world won’t help if someone inside the organisation opens the wrong email. And the best-trained staff can’t defend against threats they’re never alerted to. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other – it’s about making them work together.
If this resonates for your business, and you would like to discuss it further with one of our experts, please get in touch via our contact page.
