How can you measure the effectiveness of your security awareness training programs?

I was lucky enough to be able to see the effectiveness of the program several ways. We had computer tests for initial and refresher training with a minimum score required to get credit. We also conducted reviews of security requirements via self-inspections. We kept track of the answers and did remedial training via newsletters, emails and face-to-face sessions. The final check was during security reviews by the government…we discovered items we might have missed. We also did marking reviews and kept track of the discrepancies by category, tallied the number of documents that were incorrect and concentrated on remedial for the worst areas. We also did sport interviews of employees to see what they knew or didn’t.

Conduct an assessment before and after the training to measure the improvement in employees knowledge and awareness of security best practice

Create a mix of quantitative and qualitative (open-ended) questions. Focus on aspects like content relevance, trainer effectiveness, and practical application. Use online tools to distribute the survey to all participants. Look for common themes and patterns in the feedback to understand strengths and areas for improvement. Use the insights to make necessary adjustments to future training programs. By regularly collecting and acting on feedback, you can continuously improve your training programs to better meet the needs of your employees.

Soe years ago we did exactly that and recorded a 93% decrease in staff affected by armed crime incidents in a Central American country after starting a Social media tool for awareness and alerts. At the same time spamming with alarming Urban Legends stopped affecting our staff, as they considered us a more credible and trustworthy source of info. They forwarded such spam messages to us for fact checking, rather than circulating them further. Security training and information is about trust building!

Collect and document security incident data from a set period before the training begins. Categorize incidents by type, severity, frequency, and impact. Ensure all employees complete the training. Keep records of who attended and any scores or assessments from the training. Continue recording security incidents using the same criteria as before. Analyze the data to identify trends and differences between pre- and post-training incidents. Create a report summarizing your findings, including visual aids like charts or graphs to illustrate changes. Use the insights gained to refine and improve the training program. Regularly review and update training content to address new or persistent security issues.

Identify common areas where employees struggle. Update training content to address these knowledge gaps. Assess how well employees handle simulated security threats. Use these insights to enhance training scenarios and focus on practical skills. Examine the types and frequencies of incidents before and after training. Adjust the training to address new or persistent threats. Regularly survey employees about the training’s effectiveness and relevance. Keep up-to-date with the latest security threats and trends. Continuously integrate this information into your training program. Treat your training program as a dynamic tool that evolves with your organization’s needs.