According to top security advisor Frank Abagnale Jr., 99.9% of the time security breaches occur because someone inside a company did something they weren’t supposed to do — such as opening a phishing email, setting a weak password, downloading unsafe software, losing a laptop containing sensitive information or allowing network access to an unapproved vendor. Making employees aware of emerging security dangers and training them in security best practices is one of the most powerful ways to minimize risk, ensure compliance and prevent security incidents.
UnitedHealth Group’s SAFE With Me program fosters an ongoing partnership with employees to enlist them as our first line of defense against cyber-attacks. Learn about the key components of an effective security and privacy employee awareness program and view examples of how UnitedHealth Group engages employees to safeguard company systems and the sensitive information our customers entrust to us.
- Six key proactive security and privacy employee awareness topics
- Tips on effective employee communication during an incident
- Creative use of communication channels to build awareness
About Laura Pigott

Laura Pigott’s knowledge of health care communications spans the medical device, nonprofit, agency, and health services sectors. As training and communications manager for the Information Risk Management department in UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division, she has shaped the company’s security and privacy awareness program to ensure that company employees understand their role as the first line of defense against cyber attacks. Previously, she was content director for Hanley Wood Marketing, communications director for American Lung Association, and public relations manager for Arizant, a device start-up acquired by 3M. She has a Master’s Degree in Business Communications from the University of Michigan.
About Jodi Schaubschlager
Jodi Schaubschlager graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in English and a minor in Business. She has worked for some large companies like Wells Fargo, Target, and UnitedHealth Group/Optum, along with smaller software companies developing 20 years of IT, IT Audit, and Information Security experience. Her current role at Optum focuses on maturing the Information Security Training and Awareness program known as Safe with Me along with process improvements within the Information Risk Management department. In her previous role at UnitedHealth Group, she managed the Information Security Policies program. She has a Green belt in Six Sigma and is a CISM.