How can you teach cybersecurity to non-technical users?

While teaching cybersecurity to non-technical users it is must to keep it simple. I have found useful words like: attackers, stealing, lost, unreadable instead: hackers, encrypted, etc.. You have to take advantage of the end user's context and lead the conversation to that scenario. Your goal as an IT professional is that users understand that there is a daily risk and that they are part of the solution.

Using clear language and explaining every jargons or technical terms used can make learning effective for non technical users. Ensure you teach them cybersecurity as though you are teaching a 10 years old child, using storytelling and making sure that the examples or explanation given are relatable.

Make it relevant. Not all employees will see cyber security as important, especially process workers and other operators who only make light use of technology. Translate technical concepts using analogies related to their field by first understanding their field. Help empower them to understand the role they can play in ensuring the (cyber) safety of all persons in the organisation and its customers.

Always make it fun, short and relatable. Fun: People will be more inclined to take part, focus if it brightens their day a bit Short: Quick, short bites of information (videos, texts, pictures) make sure people will pay attention without getting bored, or feel like they do not have time. Relatable: Especially for non-technical users, if they can relate to real scenarios, they will understand the criticality of the training.

Educating on Cybersecurity should be a top priority for every non-tech employee. When communicating Cybersecurity best practices to staff, it is crucial to keep the messaging simple. Avoid using technical jargon that may confuse staff members who need to be more familiar with cybersecurity terminology. Use plain, simple language and focus on the essential points that staff members need to know to keep themselves and the organization safe. Never use technical terms and acronyms; always try to relate with simple examples and make them understand. Non-technical users play a significant role in cybersecurity vulnerability; educating and making them understand the knowledge will enhance Cybersecurity.

Per my experience, I think the best way of teaching cybersecurity to a non-technical user, first thing you need to let him or her understand and have a fair knowledge of what cybersecurity is and what it entails by breaking down concepts into simple and relatable terms. Also, by connecting practices to personal experiences, having an interactive learning sessions and sharing relevant resources with them are other ways of ensuring that the course is interesting and significant to a non-technical user.

Real life scenarios works like magic. Whenever I teach CyberSecurity, I first of all share how I was once defrauded via phishing. And I go ahead to share other stories I know. I come from the perspective of story telling and also I relate most of the terminology and jargons to real objects. I change complicated acronyms to basic daily things.

It is important to relate real-life scenarios and give them examples, i.e., ransomware can encrypt the data and lock you down. Provide an example of how you can get affected, how the attackers lure and trap you to download, and how to identify legitimate websites. Imagine your house key; you need a more complex, easily guessable key for your door. Similarly, your passwords should be strong and unique. Using complex passwords is like having a secure lock for your accounts, protecting your information. Or consider a scenario where you use a key card and a PIN to access your office or Debit Card. Similarly, 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a second verification step, usually a code sent to your phone.

It’s important to remember when teaching non-technical people cyber security to not only use real-life scenarios but also to try and find ones that directly relate to their department. If I’m in HR, I personally wouldn’t care how x,y,z impacts let’s say the sales department - different departments require different approaches. Speak to what’s relevant to THEM and you will be much better off with a much more engaged audience.

When explaining to non technical people, remind yourself that they don’t need to understand the technicality and that’s why you’re here, try to use relatable examples and not just commercial ones, that way they’d understand and be able to relate easier.

Engage non-technical workforce with practical cyber hygiene training that feels like second nature. Flowcharts and screenshots break down password creation into job-specific, step-by-step guides. Tip-filled emails and interactive modules keep the learning alive, while welcoming questions fosters trust. Ditch the security speak; frame it in terms of familiar workplace experiences. Variety is key: short bursts of training delivered in different formats align with job needs. No information overload, just relatable examples and positive reinforcement to build sound cyber hygiene habits. This approach empowers, not overwhelms, embedding security seamlessly into everyday team dynamic.

Teaching cybersecurity to non-technical students involves breaking down complex concepts into simple terms, using relatable examples, and providing hands-on experiences. Start by explaining the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital world, emphasizing the potential risks and consequences of cyber threats. Utilize real-life scenarios to illustrate the impact of cyber attacks and the measures individuals can take to protect themselves. Encourage continuous learning through resources like online tutorials, podcasts, and cybersecurity news updates. Foster a safe and open learning environment where students can ask questions and share experiences.

The practical approach is always impactful. Create a virtual machine and teach them to install antivirus and patch the updates without installing other bloatware. Provide an example of setting strong and unique passwords and educate them to change and avoid using common words frequently. Explain by providing the example of a phishing email, how they lure you to get trapped in phishing, and how you can identify the legitimate email from the domain. Prepare Dos and don'ts during the practice session. Also, download malware and ransomware and show the changes, how dangerous they could be, and how to mitigate them. Educate privacy settings on social media platforms and social engineering.

Supply real life examples, quick, easy to digest instructions and a simple call to action to get results from users making changes. Not only to protect themselves but also the organisations they interact with.

Some past experience indicates that in a non-technical environment, the use of "memes" works well. For example: 1) do not leave the password written on the computer screen; 2) as a password, do not use "1234" or your date of birth, etc. 3) don't open emails that promise you a 95% discount on holidays or that in any case make promises that cannot be true. Once these simple measures have been understood, you can move on to other indications, such as carefully verifying the sender of an email, etc.

Engage with your team as much as possible. This will help gather an understanding of the challenges being faced and how to overcome them. Don't be afraid to ask questions, in my experience, asking before simply doing out of ignorance bodes very well in the long run and it shows interest in the subject matter.

Use Pre and post-assessment Feedback forms, personalized follow-up, and peer support. How do your employees respond to security training? Be open to their ideas to improve future efforts. Publicly thank employees and let everyone know about any updates or improvements that will come their way. When you correct or praise behaviour immediately, you reinforce positive outcomes. Clear and encouraging feedback boosts employee morale, not to mention performance around cybersecurity. Hear their input on the training session, whether a comment, suggestion, or question; their input is invaluable in enhancing future sessions and identifying gaps. Always welcome any questions or concerns regarding the training material or cybersecurity-related issues.

One of the best ways to know if you are engaging your audience, is to encourage the asking of questions and address concerns. Foster an open environment where users feel comfortable asking questions for clarification.

As a Cyber Security instructor & mentor, Breaking the ice is one important factor to let people ask Questions & give me feedbacks, and I encourage my students to ask as much as they can, Let non-technical users know that their questions and concerns are welcome. For example, during a training session, encourage them to ask about specific situations they've encountered or any confusing aspects of cybersecurity.

Feedback and questions play a crucial role in advancing the educational process. By fostering user engagement, they improve knowledge clarity and transfer and transform education into a dynamic entity. This evolution enables it to adapt and respond to diverse perspectives beyond the confines of the security silo and to address the evolving challenges of the security landscape effectively.

Absolutely, teaching cybersecurity to non-technical users is not only possible but crucial in today's digital landscape. In my 45-day Cybersecurity program, I've successfully coached individuals, both with and without IT degrees, who are now thriving GRC professionals earning in multiple six figures. The key lies in breaking down complex concepts into digestible chunks, fostering a hands-on learning environment, and emphasizing practical skills. Cybersecurity is not just a field for tech experts—it's a skill set for everyone navigating the digital world.

Cybersecurity learning is a continuous process as new threats arise day by day. It is crucial to provide timely interactive resource material, a reward program, and any incentive or food refreshment during training to keep their interest in training. As soon as positive behaviours occur, recognize them. Celebrate victories with posters, leaderboards, or even a wall of fame. Give your employees recognition and spotlight them for displaying desirable outcomes and behaviour. Even the verbal appreciation and recognition of a certificate of appreciation play a vital part.

Additionally, consider fostering a collaborative learning community within your organization. Encourage non-technical users to share their experiences, insights, and challenges related to cybersecurity. Implementing a platform for open discussions or creating peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities can enhance the collective learning experience. This not only reinforces individual learning but also promotes a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration, creating a resilient and informed cybersecurity environment within your organization.

For a non-technical person, learning about cybersecurity can a daunting task. I know how it was for me to learn about firewalls for example. These rules can still be a challenging task even for me. The main focus is to keep learning, wanting to learn more and its our job to make sure they still wants to learn more. Arrange follow-ups, break down sessions into manageble pieces and one concept is Lean Coffees that can be in-person or on a digital platform(Teams, Zoom, Meta Workplace etc) and to tie in a strong feedback culture will encurage to learn more.

I observe that transforming awareness campaigns into something playful, which promotes healthy competition and offers rewards, greatly increases voluntary participation and engagement of all participants. Recognition sessions for participants who stand out in various aspects at the end of cycles are also essential.

Consider different learning styles, Tailor your training materials to different learning styles, such as visual aids, interactive exercises, or video tutorials. Provide ongoing support and resources, including easy-to-access guides and helpful online tools. Stay up-to-date with the latest cyber threats and trends to ensure your training remains relevant and effective. Remember, teaching cybersecurity to non-technical users is about making it relatable, practical, and engaging. By using simple language, real-life examples, and actionable tips, you can empower them to navigate the digital world with confidence.

The key to success in cybersecurity is willingness and desire to learn. It is a complex topic but possible to teach it to non-technical users. Use real-life examples and gamification to illustrate its importance and make the teaching engaging. There are many resources online that can help non-technical users learn. Example is the Udemy course called “Cybersecurity for Non-Technical Users”. It is designed to provide individuals with essential knowledge and practical skills to navigate the digital landscape securely. Another great resource is the SANS Institute which offers a blog post on “Getting Started in Cybersecurity with a Non-Technical Background”. The post explains that many of the best security experts have non-technical backgrounds.

In the concept of using stories to illustrate examples, share real-life cybersecurity stories, incidents, and examples. Highlight the consequences of poor cybersecurity practices.

Use simple language: Non-technical users may not be familiar with complex terms. It's important to use plain language and avoid jargon when discussing topics like phishing, malware, and data breaches. Encouraging users to enable multi-factor authentication and keep their software updated. Provide ongoing support by Offering resources to use reference, such as online guides, tip sheets, or access to a help desk for cybersecurity-related questions.

There is no need to learn or teach cybersecurity to non-technical users. Just start as simple as possible: Intergrate a mandatory E-learning platform, with monthly short readings and tests, to bring in sensibilisation for this topic and many other topics, that simple! Important is to let the user feel, all this is also usable for his private environment. If he accepts the e-learnings,.it is the most valuable for the company.