Why Do Cyber Criminals Target Your New Staff?

Bringing a new hire onboard is always exciting. You are sorting their laptop, email login, system access, and maybe even lining up the biscuit tin for that all-important welcome cuppa.

But here is the part most businesses overlook. Those first few months in a role are one of the riskiest times for your cyber security.

And guess what? Cyber criminals know it.

How do hackers know you have new starters?

It's simple. New team members often announce their new role on LinkedIn or other social platforms. Criminals watch those posts closely and before you know it your newest employee is on their hit list, and your company is now their next target.

Why are new starters such easy targets?

Research shows that 71% of new employees fall for phishing or social engineering attacks in their first 90 days.

Think back to your own first weeks in a new role:

• You are keen to prove yourself.

• You do not know all the processes yet.

• You are eager to follow instructions.

• You want to get things right.

That mix of enthusiasm and uncertainty is exactly what cyber criminals exploit.

They send emails that look like they come from HR, IT support, or even senior managers. These messages might ask for logins, payment details, or urgent help with a task. Because new hires do not yet know what is normal or who is who, they are much more likely to click.

Statistically, new hires are 44% more likely to fall for phishing links and they are more likely to believe fake emails from the boss than experienced colleagues. That is a big gap and it leaves your business exposed.

The good news - it's an easy fix!

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Cyber security awareness training should start on day one of onboarding.

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If you do this, you can fast track their knowledge and reduce the chances of a phishing incident.

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That means:

✅ Teaching staff how to spot phishing attempts.

✅ Explaining what normal communication looks like in your business.

✅ Making sure they know who to talk to if something feels suspicious.

Companies that build this into onboarding see huge benefits. With the right training, staff can become six times better at spotting phishing within six months, which cuts incidents by an impressive 86 percent.

That is a huge win for a small investment of time.

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Think about your People first, and technology second!

Yes, firewalls, antivirus software, and security tools are vital. But they cannot stop every cleverly disguised scam. People are always your first line of defence, and right now your newest hires may be your weakest link.

Invest in them, provide the tools, give them the opportunity to build up their confidence in being able to spot a phishing email, and they will not only protect themselves but your business from day 1.

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Do this, and you will strengthen your entire security culture 🎉

👉 At Southern IT, we help businesses make cyber security part of the culture from the very first login. If you would like to chat about how to build a stronger and safer team, get in touch. We are here to help 👈

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