What metrics are most effective for evaluating security awareness training?

1 Baseline metrics

Before you start your security awareness training program, it is important to establish a baseline of your current situation. This will help you set achievable goals, recognize any gaps, and monitor progress over time. To get an overview of your employees' preparedness to handle cyber threats and their engagement with the training program, consider the following metrics: the number and percentage of employees who have completed the training, the average score and pass rate of the quizzes or tests, the number and percentage of employees who have reported or flagged suspicious emails or incidents, and the number and percentage of employees who have fallen victim to simulated or real cyberattacks. These metrics will provide invaluable insights into your organization's security awareness.

3 Impact metrics

Finally, you need to measure how your security awareness training program affects your overall security performance and outcomes. Impact metrics evaluate how your training program contributes to your security goals and objectives, and how it reduces the frequency and severity of cyber incidents. To demonstrate the value of your training program, consider the number and percentage of security incidents or breaches that have been prevented or mitigated, the amount of time and money saved by avoiding or minimizing damage from cyberattacks, the customer satisfaction with your security practices, and the level of compliance with relevant laws and regulations. These metrics will show how your security awareness training program adds value to your organization, enhancing its reputation and competitiveness.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?