The global market for security awareness training is expected to cross $10 billion yearly by 2027, according to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures. This is a staggering increase from the $5.6 billion in 2023.
Cyber awareness training is on the rise with good reason. As per an Accenture 2023 report, 97% of organizations worldwide have experienced an increase in cybersecurity threats since 2022.
However, it’s not just about risk mitigation or resilience; organizations that integrate cyber initiatives with business goals are also 18% more likely to grow market share and improve customer satisfaction.
But how many companies are planning to increase training in cybersecurity awareness for employees? According to a Gartner survey, ¾ of leaders anticipate that their security awareness and training budget will increase. Having said that, about ⅓ posit that their content for cyber awareness falls short in terms of technical complexity, relevance, or accessibility.
With this in mind, how can organizations successfully train employees in cybersecurity education?
The importance of employees in a company’s security posture has been underlined by numerous studies. Notably, according to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), human error such as falling prey to a social engineering attack played a part in 68% of data breaches.
Fortunately, cyber awareness training can positively impact a company’s security posture. Here are 6 steps your organization can take to make your program more effective.
Mandate Training Sessions
Cybersecurity employee training should be part of an organization’s routine. Employees should be aware of the latest threats, risks, and ways to mitigate those risks. This way, they will have the basic skills to protect the company from phishing attacks, data breaches, and more.
Prioritize Following Protocol
Following from the first point, employees should understand that they are part of what makes their organization secure.
By following protocol and ensuring that their devices are protected, they avoid being the weak link and allowing malicious actors into the system.
All employees should be equipped with the relevant tools and security software on their devices, and understand how they work. Of course, all software in use should have automatic updates, but employees should be capable of identifying any problems and know who to report to.
Use Risk-Based Objectives
All cybersecurity strategies and initiatives, including the awareness and training program, should be driven by business risk. Security training objectives should be informed by risk assessments.
For example, you can determine the areas where employee action has the most impact on overall cybersecurity risk levels, and prioritize the training topics accordingly.
Furthermore, you can prioritize training employees who are most likely to affect risk levels, such as those with certain administrative privileges or access to sensitive data. Consider engaging them in more frequent and extensive training than other employees.
Utilize a Multi-Format Approach
Cyber awareness and training programs require various formats to be effective. Because everyone learns in different ways, a multi-pronged approach is recommended. You might consider the following formats or channels:
Note that you do not have to retain all these channels. Keep the ones that work, and experiment when you can.
Ensure Password Protection
According to Accenture, password compromises are the cause of 83% of data breaches. No wonder, then, that the company decided to phase out passwords from all identity platforms and applications.
That being said, most organizations still use passwords, and many are not prepared to phase them out. In the interim, they need to ensure that employees use strong passwords, and that these passwords are regularly changed.
Use Simulations to Measure Effectiveness
Quizzes and tests are often not the most actionable or meaningful ways to measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity initiatives.
Simulations are generally a better option to evaluate the level of cyber awareness of employees, both individually and as a group. For instance, in a phishing simulation, if most employees are clicking on simulated phishing emails, then your cybersecurity training and education program may need to be changed.
On the other hand, if only a small percentage of employees click on the email, then one-on-ones can be set to address the knowledge gap.
It is important to remember not to create a culture of shaming employees for not having the requisite cyber awareness. Instead, mistakes should be framed as learning opportunities.
Cybersecurity education and awareness is not a one-and-done venture.
Instead, it begins with the onboarding process and carries on throughout an employee’s tenure at a company. In a world of increasing cyber risk, organizations that embed cyber education into their culture are better positioned to be future leaders.
Silverse can help you get there. Our passionate experts tailor cyber awareness programs to resonate with your employees and foster a sense of responsibility and ownership in safeguarding sensitive information.
Contact us now to get started.
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