When I used to work in IT departments, one of the most important tasks we were required to perform was to provide the necessary training to new and existing staff on our IT and IT security procedures. And I can tell you, it wasn’t always easy, some were responsive to the training, while others were not, especially long-standing employees.
It may interest you to know that most data breaches start with a simple mistake made by an employee. Be it clicking on a phishing email, using a weak password, or even forgetting to secure their laptop. Without the proper training, employees can make mistakes that could have disastrous consequences.
With cyber threats that are always changing and evolving, companies need to do more than just install an antivirus software or implement a firewall. Its employees need to be well-trained, especially its cybersecurity team.
In this article, we’ll explore how cybersecurity training for employees is about providing your team with the skills and knowledge they require to protect not only the company, but themselves from potential threats. So let’s get to it!
Cybersecurity training isn’t just for the IT personnel, all employees play a role in ensuring the company remains safe. Many times I encountered issues where users clicked on a malicious attachment that invited malware to their system, mishandled sensitive company data, and even hid their passwords under the keyboard, because a criminal will never think about checking under there!
It’s a fact that most cyber incidents happen as a direct result of human error, and these mistakes can come with huge costs, from damaging the company’s reputation to losing clients and revenue.
Therefore, cybersecurity training for employees should be a priority in any company, no matter the size. You’ll need to equip your team with the right knowledge and tools to be a solid line of defense. The training allows employees to learn how to spot and respond to threats before they escalate.
Training should also go beyond the technical aspects, and must empower the team to make smart decisions that keep the company secure. After all, well-trained employees, who can identify and respond to threats, make it much harder for cybercriminals to trick.
Key Topics to Cover in Cybersecurity Training
We’ve established why training is important, now let’s break down the cybersecurity training topics. Covering these topics ensures your team and other employees are prepared for real-world cyber threats, no matter what their role is in the company.
Phishing and Social Engineering Awareness
Phishing is one of the most common ways cybercriminals target employees, and I’ve seen my share of them popping up in emails. That’s why training should involve teaching your team to spot the signs of phishing, like emails from unfamiliar senders, urgent calls to action from a text message, or suspicious-looking links.
Awareness of social engineering, which is when hackers try to trick employees into giving away sensitive information, is also very essential. Think of this as teaching them to be cyber-skeptics. It’s simple really, if they’re not sure about something then they shouldn’t click on it.
Password Hygiene and Authentication
Yes, we’re talking about passwords again! That’s because they’re so important. Weak passwords are an easy way-in for cybercriminals. Teach employees, no wait, insist employees create strong, unique passwords, use password managers, and enable multi-factor authentication. This is one of the simplest but most effective cybersecurity habits.
Safe Browsing and Download Practices
There should be a code of conduct regarding visiting questionable websites. By visiting unsafe websites, and performing risky downloads, can open the floodgates to malware and other cyber threats.
Employees should learn safe browsing habits, like avoiding visiting unknown websites, and being cautious about what they download and where they’re downloaded it from. A quick lesson on secure browsing can go a long way.
Data Handling and Privacy
Employees are the custodians of sensitive company information. They must be aware that mishandling that data can have serious consequences, especially with privacy laws tightening worldwide.
Employees should be taught the importance of handling and storing data securely, whether it’s customer information, financial records, or confidential documents. It’s about respecting and protecting the privacy of everyone connected to the company.
Remote Work and Mobile Device Security
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a significant increase in employees working from remote locations. With more employees working remotely, securing mobile devices and home networks is absolutely important.
Remind employees to only use secure Wi-Fi, avoid public networks, and keep their devices updated with the latest software and patches. Simple enough right? Well, you’ll be surprised how many people fail to do these simple tasks, which can prevent remote work from becoming a security risk.
How to Implement Cybersecurity Training in the Workplace
Now that we know what to teach, let’s talk about how to implement cybersecurity training in the workplace effectively. The trick is not to make it boring. There’s nothing worse than listening to a bunch of lectures, or reading through pages of text about cybersecurity practices, believe me, I’ve done that.
The key is to make it engaging and easy to digest, where the employees would be excited to implement the new strategies. Here are a few methods that work well:
Phishing Simulations
This sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? This simulation is where simulated phishing emails are sent out to test employees’ ability to spot scams, if they get it wrong, they’re fired, just kidding. But these mock phishing tests are great for reinforcing what phishing emails look like and can help employees practice in a safe and controlled manner. Companies like KnowBe4 offer ready-to-go phishing simulations, so you don’t have to create them from scratch.
Role-Based Training Modules
This is where you can customize training based on job function. For example, your finance team might need extra training on safeguarding that all important company sensitive data I spoke about earlier, while customer service might focus more on spotting phishing emails. This way, everyone gets the training that’s relevant to their day-to-day work.
Interactive Workshops and Q&A Sessions
Remember when I said to make the training engaging and not boring, well this is a great way to accomplish this. So instead of just handing out materials, which I’m sure an employee may read once if you’re lucky, you can host interactive workshops.
Invite cybersecurity experts for live sessions where employees can ask questions and discuss real-life examples. These sessions make learning feel more practical and help employees understand the importance of cybersecurity in their roles.
Micro-Learning Modules
We humans tend to have short attention spans, I know I have. So having long training sessions can be overwhelming, so break it down into shorter, more digestible modules. Think of these as quick lessons, maybe about 5–10 minutes each, on specific topics, like password management or safe browsing. These weekly micro-lessons help keep the information fresh without taking up too much time.
Best Practices for Cybersecurity Training Success
Training your employees is not a one time thing, I wish it was, but realistically, it has to be an ongoing practice. A few simple best practices can make a big difference in how well employees retain cybersecurity knowledge:
Regular Refreshers and Updates
Cyber threats change all the time, so continuous training will have to be implemented. Plan for regular refreshers, whether they’re quarterly or twice a year, so employees can stay updated on new threats and reinforce what they’ve already learned.
Gamification
Here’s more of the not boring training. By adding quizzes, challenges, or even rewards, will make training fun and boost engagement. Gamifying the training makes it feel less like a chore and more like a game, and who doesn’t like games? Some companies use leaderboards or badges to encourage a bit of friendly competition, which makes the exercise even more interesting.
Consistent Reminders and Awareness Campaigns
I remember times when training employees about cybersecurity was like typing up a letter in word and shutting down the laptop without clicking save. Sometimes, it just doesn’t stick with them, either they simply didn’t remember or became complacent. That’s why regular reminders help keep cybersecurity on the top of their minds.
Simple things like digital posters, email tips, and periodic messages help employees remember what they’ve learned. Assigning “Security Champions” within each department can also help keep security awareness active and provide a go-to person for any security questions.
Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Training Program
Finding the right training program is key to successful cybersecurity training. Here are a few things to consider:
Content Relevancy
Choose a program that matches your industry’s unique needs. For example, if you’re in healthcare or finance, you’ll want a program with modules on regulatory compliance. The right program makes sure employees are prepared to handle threats that are specific to the sector the company occupies.
Interactivity and Accessibility
Programs that are interactive and accessible across devices are the way to go, as they tend to grab people’s interest better than just reading a bunch of text from a manual. Platforms that include videos, simulations, and quizzes tend to keep employees more engaged. And for remote teams, make sure they can access the program anytime, from any device.
Examples of Training Platforms
There are a few popular training platforms like KnowBe4 (for phishing and security awareness), Infosec IQ (for customizable role-based training), and RangeForce (for hands-on, gamified learning). A program with analytics is a plus, as it helps track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Evaluating and Improving Cybersecurity Training Programs
What’s the use with all the training if you can’t track how well your team and employees are responding to it. Evaluating your training program on a regular basis helps ensure it’s working as it is supposed to. Here’s how to keep improving:
Periodic Assessments and Quizzes
To determine if your employees are grasping what’s being taught in the training programs, they should be tested after each module to see what’s sticking and what needs to be improved. Quizzes help reinforce learning, and any gaps can highlight areas that might need more focus in the future.
Collecting Employee Feedback
Your employees are the ones going through the training, so their feedback is valuable. If they’re enjoying the training, you should expect some positive feedback, if not, well, you have some work to do. Surveys or feedback forms can reveal if the training felt helpful, confusing, or engaging. This feedback lets you adjust the program to better meet their needs.
Tracking Key Metrics
Metrics are a great way to determine if all the money and effort you’re spending on training is yielding any positive results or falling on deaf ears. You can measure things like how often employees click on phishing emails, completion rates for modules, and overall improvements in response times. Tracking metrics shows what’s working and where further training might be needed, giving you a clear picture of the program’s impact.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity training for employees is an investment that must be done, there’s really no way of getting around it. As I said before, most cybersecurity issues happen as a result of human oversight. So with the right training, your employees can become your first line of defense, catching threats before they become issues.
From my experience, training employees in cybersecurity may not always be easy, everyone responds to training differently, but the effort is always worth it. Covering essential topics like phishing, password hygiene, and data privacy helps create a proactive, security-focused culture within your business.
Key Takeaways:
- Cybersecurity training is a must-have for every employee, not just the IT department.
- Key topics include phishing awareness, secure passwords, and safe browsing.
- Ensure the training is not boring, use interactive methods and role-based modules to keep training relevant.
- Conducting regular refreshers and evaluations help keep knowledge up to date.
Are you ready to start building a cybersecurity-focused team? What’s your biggest challenge with employee cybersecurity training?
