Is your business truly prepared for the latest wave of cyber threats? We’re talking about AI-driven phishing and social engineering attacks, cloud security threats, and other dangers that have hit companies like Neiman Marcus, Facebook, and T-Mobile.
With data breaches skyrocketing, security awareness training is no longer a “nice-to-have”: it’s a must-have. It turns your employees into a frontline defense by arming them with the skills to identify and stop cyber risks before they escalate.
Imagine one accidental click costing your company millions in lost revenue and trust. A well-trained team can make all the difference by helping you sidestep these expensive risks and protect what matters most.
Understanding security awareness training
While security awareness can be defined as the knowledge and caution needed to maintain safe digital practices, security training teaches your teams how to recognize, avoid, and respond to cyber threats properly. With generative AI behind many of these attacks, It also includes lessons on phishing risks, password safety, and safe email practices, all aiming to minimize human errors that lead to breaches.
At its core, security awareness training addresses risks at its source by building a culture of awareness and readiness within your organization. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, human errors and misunderstandings account for over 68% of data breaches. This statistic highlights the need for every organization to prioritize training, as people are often the last line of defense against increasingly clever tactics.
Why is security awareness training necessary?
With attacks on the rise and new tactics evolving, investing in security awareness training is no longer optional. For any business, it’s a necessary preventive measure against data breaches, legal implications, and financial damage.
Cybersecurity threats are evolving
Cyber threats aren’t what they used to be. In 2023, 75% of identity attacks relied on tactics that bypassed traditional strategies like malware. Instead, they exploited trusted connections, social engineering, and impersonation tactics..
Here are a few critical types of threats evolving today:
- Phishing: Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals posing as trusted contacts to send deceptive messages, typically through email. The goal is to trick employees into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials. In a 2023 phishing attack against a U.S.-based healthcare provider, attackers sent emails disguised as urgent notifications from the IT department.
- Social engineering: Social engineering exploits trust to manipulate employees into making security errors. In 2023, attackers used a tactic known as “pretexting” against a financial services company.. By referencing common company terms and even using an internal project code they had obtained, the attacker was granted temporary access, which led to a data breach.
- Impersonation attacks: Fraudulent actors pretend to be legitimate contacts, such as clients or senior company staff, to gain sensitive information. In a notable 2023 incident, cybercriminals impersonated a C-suite executive at a multinational company using deepfake audio technology. The attackers succeeded in instructing an employee to wire a large sum of money for an “urgent acquisition.”
Breaches in data can lead to data loss and financial theft
Recent data highlights how critical security awareness training is for preventing breaches and mitigating the severe risks that accompany them:
- Preventing Financial Loss: Cyberattacks can impose serious financial costs. In 2023, over 72% of affected businesses faced ransomware demands, with 83% of organizations choosing to pay. The average ransom payment rose to $1.54 million—nearly double the previous year. Phishing alone costs businesses $4.9 million per attack, emphasizing the need for proactive training to reduce financial risk.
- Reducing Human Error: Cloud attacks have increased by 75%, so employee vigilance is more important than ever. Training your teams to identify phishing and malware-free attacks (which now comprise 75% of identity-based threats) can reduce the chance of those accidental clicks that open doors to intruders.
- Decreasing Breach Risk: Data shows that malware-free tactics (e.g., phishing, and social engineering) are now the majority of identity-related attacks. Because these non-traditional tactics bypass standard detection tools, trained employees become your primary defense.
- Preventing Data Loss: According to IBM, 82% of breaches in 2023 involved cloud-based data. Training employees on secure handling and detection practices helps prevent data loss.
In light of these statistics, it’s clear that a well-informed team can drastically reduce these risks. So how do you begin?
What does security awareness training entail?
As we explained earlier, security awareness training equips your employees with the knowledge and insights needed to protect your organization’s digital assets. Training programs vary, but the best ones include certain essential components.
Training courses
Training courses are the foundation of any security awareness program. Structured, topic-based lessons cover various aspects of online safety, including password management, secure data handling, and recognizing phishing tactics.
A detailed program will likely include:
- Interactive courses that engage employees through scenarios and quizzes.
- Videos that support visual learning, which can improve retention.
- Regular updates that keep your teams informed about new threats and security policies.
Attack simulations
Simulation exercises are key to hands-on learning, which is why so many businesses use them to cultivate a security awareness mindset and culture.. These “mock attacks” create realistic scenarios where participants encounter phishing emails, social engineering attempts, or impersonation schemes. As they experience these simulated threats, they build muscle memory and learn what to look for in actual situations.
For more insights on attack simulations and how they help build a security-minded culture, please check out our guide, How to Perform a Phishing Test (The Right Way).
How often should you conduct security awareness training?
Consistency is key in any training program, and security awareness training is no exception. Educating your employees regularly keeps their security knowledge fresh and relevant while also helping prevent careless errors.
Quarterly security awareness training
New cyber threats emerge regularly, and quarterly training helps everyone remain vigilant. This approach maintains their focus on security without overwhelming them with constant training. Other advantages include:
- Knowledge Retention: Quarterly training improves retention, allowing employees to apply what they learn more effectively.
- Adaptive Learning: Quarterly sessions can be adjusted based on current threats, keeping the program relevant.
By implementing quarterly security awareness training, your organization strikes an ideal balance between vigilance and practicality. This regular cadence helps employees retain critical knowledge while adapting quickly to new threats as they arise.
Bi-Annual vs. Annual Training
For organizations where risk is lower, less frequent training may be effective. However, both bi-annual and annual training should be approached with strategic planning:
- Bi-Annual Training: This type of training works for lower-risk or more knowledgeable settings and focuses on reinforcing core topics. It’s cost-effective and minimizes disruptions while still providing regular updates. Bi-annual training is also beneficial for covering topics that don’t change as rapidly, such as basic phishing and data handling principles.
- Annual Training: For organizations with strong security cultures and established policies, annual training may be enough when supplemented with ongoing updates for emerging threats. This schedule has minimal impact on productivity but can leave knowledge gaps if threats evolve quickly.
To maintain effectiveness, both bi-annual and annual schedules benefit from supplemental updates as new threats emerge. This ensures your workforce stays alert and well-informed, even in a low-frequency format.
On-demand training
For high-turnover roles or immediate response needs, on-demand training can be invaluable. This flexible approach allows organizations to train employees as soon as they join or quickly update specific teams on relevant threats.
Benefits of on-demand training include:
- Targeted learning paths: Content can be personalized based on department, role, or security level.
- Immediate response: On-demand options let employees learn about high-profile cyber threats as they develop. They can also be deployed immediately in response to new or significant cybersecurity events, such as high-profile phishing campaigns or changes in regulatory requirements.
On-demand programs keep employees informed and proactive by providing timely, relevant training. This allows your organization to quickly respond to new risks and maintain a strong, adaptable defense against evolving cyber threats.
Benefits of security awareness training
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and security awareness training is one of the best preventative measures against cyber risks.
Cost Reduction
According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, companies with trained employees see fewer successful cyberattacks. Security awareness training helps prevent breaches that can lead to expensive recovery measures and reputational damage.
Lower Likelihood of Phishing Success
Phishing attacks are among the most common cyber threats. Trained employees are more likely to recognize phishing attempts, reducing the organization’s vulnerability to these tactics. With fewer successful phishing attacks, organizations protect both their finances and sensitive data.
Data Protection and Brand Trust
Customers trust businesses to safeguard their personal data. Security awareness training can help organizations maintain this trust by reducing the chance of breaches and protecting sensitive information. In turn, a company that protects customer data will maintain its positive reputation, giving it an edge over competitors.
Early Threat Detection
A well-trained workforce is an active asset in early detection of cyber threats. The faster an organization identifies a threat, the more quickly it can mitigate risks and prevent further damage. Employees who are trained to spot early warning signs act as an additional layer of security.
How to choose a security awareness training provider
With cyber threats constantly evolving, choosing the right security awareness training provider is critical. While many providers can create useful resources, the ideal partner will understand your organizational needs and empower your employees to recognize and respond to real-world cyber threats. Here’s what to look for in a top-tier provider to ensure your program’s success.
Personalized security awareness training
Generic training materials won’t cut it when each department faces different risks. Look for providers who offer tailored training modules that align with specific job roles and risk levels across your organization. Role-based training personalizes the learning experience, making it more relevant and effective.
For example, finance team members might engage in modules on spotting Business Email Compromise (BEC) and wire fraud, with realistic examples of fraudulent invoices. Meanwhile, customer service staff could undergo training on secure communication protocols and data protection when handling sensitive customer information.
Realistic threat simulations
High-quality providers offer real-world threat simulations that allow employees to practice responses to cyber attacks in a controlled environment. These simulations are vital for helping participants recognize phishing emails, social engineering tactics, and impersonation attacks in real scenarios. At Jericho Security, we take this a step further by offering AI-powered simulations that mimic current phishing, social engineering, and impersonation threats in realistic ways.
A phishing simulation might mimic a well-disguised email from a “vendor” with a seemingly legitimate invoice attached. Through these simulations, employees learn how to scrutinize email details, verify sender authenticity, and report phishing attempts confidently. Jericho’s AI-driven approach means that these simulations evolve over time, presenting scenarios that reflect the latest attacker tactics.
Comprehensive reporting capabilities
A valuable provider doesn’t just deliver training—they also provide detailed reporting tools to track employee engagement, identify knowledge gaps, and offer insights into security improvements over time. Look for providers who offer analytics dashboards that display trends in employee performance, completion rates, and areas requiring additional focus.
With a provider like Jericho Security, your organization would receive a detailed monthly report that breaks down training results across different departments. This might include metrics on which employees report suspicious emails, who interacts with phishing simulations, and success rates in spotting phishing and social engineering attempts.
If the data reveals that the sales department has a higher rate of phishing detection errors, additional focused training can be provided to that team, ensuring a more uniform security posture across the organization.
Keep your business safe – Let us help!
Security awareness training isn’t just a compliance measure; it’s a vital step in protecting your organization from potentially devastating cyber incidents. A well-educated workforce is one of the most powerful defenses any company can have.
Ready to build a stronger, more security-conscious organization? Jericho Security provides industry-leading, customizable training solutions that meet your team’s evolving needs. Schedule your demo today and secure your future with a training partner committed to your success.