Because that new employee hasn’t yet learned who’s who and what’s normal, they’re much more likely to fall for it. In fact, new employees are 44% more likely to click on these traps than colleagues who’ve been around a while.

It’s not just theory. The stats back it up. When attackers pose as company executives, new starters are 45% more likely to be fooled than experienced staff.

That’s a big gap, and it shows just how vulnerable your business can be during the onboarding period.

So… what can you do about it?

The key is to recognise that cyber security training shouldn’t wait until your new hire has “settled in”. Those early days are exactly when they need clear guidance on spotting phishing emails, understanding how cyber criminals operate, and knowing what to do if something seems off.

Businesses that take this seriously see real results. The same report found that companies offering tailored security awareness training and running realistic simulations for new staff saw their phishing risk drop by 30% after onboarding. That’s a massive difference. It shows that a bit of extra effort at the start pays off.

Of course, tools like good security software and firewalls are still essential. But on their own, they’re not enough. People are your first line of defence.

And right now, your newest people might just be your weakest link. Unless you give them the tools and knowledge to help protect your business from day one.

If you’d like help setting up simple, effective cyber security training for new starters, or want to talk about making your business more secure overall, we can help. Get in touch.