Are You Making These 10 Security Awareness Training Mistakes? Find Out Now!

As cyber threats continue to grow and evolve, companies are increasingly realizing the importance of security awareness training for their employees. However, not all training programs are created equal, and there are a number of mistakes that companies can make that undermine the effectiveness of their training efforts.

In this post, we'll explore the top 10 mistakes companies make in their security awareness training, and offer suggestions for how to avoid them.

1. Exploiting your users

One of the most counterproductive things a company can do is to exploit their employees by testing them in a way that serves no real purpose other than to humiliate them. "Will they type in their password?"

Instead of punishing employees for their mistakes, capitalize on "just in time" training opportunities to help them learn from their mistakes and avoid making the same ones in the future.

One effective way to do this is by gamifying your phishing simulations and turning them into a game for your employees. By creating a clear set of rules and guidelines and turning the training into a competition, you can make the training more engaging and memorable for your employees, and increase their awareness and understanding of the risks associated with phishing attacks.?

2. Not performing role-based training

One of the most common mistakes companies make with their security awareness training is assuming that one-size-fits-all training will be effective for all employees, regardless of their department or role.

In reality, executives, finance, IT, and other departments require different levels and types of cybersecurity knowledge to adequately address their unique risks and threats.

For instance, executives need to understand cyber risk and the impact of a breach on the organization's reputation and financial stability. Finance teams need to be trained on common financial scams and BEC attacks, while IT personnel need to learn about common mistakes that can lead to data breaches. By providing role-based training, companies can ensure that all employees have the knowledge and skills they need to effectively protect themselves and the organization against cyber threats.

3. Not performing role-based phishing

Phishing attacks can take many different forms and can be tailored to specific roles within your organization.

Neglecting to perform role-based phishing tests can leave your company vulnerable to targeted attacks that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each department.

By tailoring your phishing tests to each department's unique susceptibilities, you can better understand your organization's overall phishing risk and take steps to improve your defenses. Don't assume that everyone is equally susceptible to the same types of phishing attacks - take the time to perform role-based phishing tests to better protect your organization.

4. Punitive programs that punish users for making mistakes

Punishing employees for making mistakes in their cybersecurity training can be counterproductive and actually cause more harm than good.

While others may tell you punishment will make employees more cautious and prevent future mistakes, it can actually create a culture of fear and mistrust that leads to employees being afraid to report issues or ask for help. This can be especially problematic in the case of phishing attacks, where employees may be hesitant to report a suspicious email out of fear of being punished.

Instead of punitive programs, companies should focus on providing positive reinforcement and incentives for good behavior. This can include gamifying phishing simulations and rewarding employees who are able to spot and report suspicious emails, or offering bonuses for departments that have low rates of cybersecurity incidents. Creating a culture of support and teamwork around cybersecurity can help to engage employees and foster a sense of ownership over the company's security posture.

5. Not incorporating training everywhere

It's not enough to have a one-time training session and then assume that your employees are fully equipped to handle any and all cybersecurity threats.

Instead, incorporate training into every aspect of your organization's culture. This can include regular reminders and updates on the latest phishing tactics, incorporating cybersecurity awareness into company meetings and town halls, and even having cybersecurity experts conduct training sessions for employees.

One effective approach to incorporating training everywhere is through the use of "spaced learning." This involves providing training and reminders at regular intervals over a longer period of time, rather than cramming all the information into a single session. By using spaced learning, you can reinforce the importance of cybersecurity awareness and keep your employees up-to-date on the latest threats and best practices

Another important aspect of incorporating training everywhere is to ensure that everyone in your organization, from the top executives to the entry-level employees, understands the importance of cybersecurity. When cybersecurity is ingrained in the company culture, employees are more likely to take it seriously and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and the organization from cyber threats.

6. Boring content

One of the key issues with traditional cybersecurity training is that it tends to be boring and unengaging. This can lead to a lack of interest and retention from employees, which ultimately defeats the purpose of the training.

To combat this, it's important to create content that is engaging and entertaining, as well as informative. One effective strategy is to use real-life scenarios that employees can relate to and apply the material to their work. For example, you could create a training module that simulates a phishing attack that an employee might encounter in their day-to-day work. By showing them what a real attack might look like, they can better understand what to watch out for and how to respond.

In addition, consider using a variety of formats to present the material. Videos, interactive quizzes, and infographics can all be effective tools for engaging employees and helping them retain information. This approach can also help to cater to different learning styles, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of the training.

7. Making users part of the problem without making them part of the solution

Many companies view their employees as a liability to their cybersecurity instead of an asset.

However, employees play a crucial role in protecting company data and systems. It's important to involve them in the process and make them feel like a part of the solution instead of simply being part of the problem. Encourage them to report suspicious emails, reward them for identifying and reporting phishing attempts, and provide them with regular updates on the company's cybersecurity efforts. By making employees part of the solution, you can create a culture of cybersecurity awareness and accountability.

8. Not enough phishing simulations

Phishing simulations are an effective way to train employees to identify and avoid phishing attacks. However, many companies make the mistake of not running enough simulations. The frequency of phishing simulations can vary depending on the organization, but a general rule of thumb is to conduct them at least twice per month.

At PhishFirewall, we call this the "divorce factor." This refers to the idea that major life events, such as a divorce, can distract employees and make them more susceptible to phishing attacks.

That's why it's important to conduct phishing simulations on a regular basis to keep employees' cybersecurity knowledge up to date. Research has shown that employees who have been through phishing simulations are more than 70% less likely to fall for similar attacks in the future. At PhishFirewall, we recommend that all employees be phished a minimum of twice per month to effectively catch phish clicks and stop the bad guys. By conducting regular simulations and tracking results, companies can stay ahead of the curve and protect themselves from the latest phishing threats.

9. Not enough education

In today's fast-paced world, attention spans are shorter than ever, and traditional "one-and-done" training is not enough to ensure employees retain the information they need to stay safe from cyber threats.

That's where spaced learning comes in. By breaking up training into smaller, bite-sized pieces and delivering it in regular intervals, companies can ensure that their employees have the time and mental capacity to absorb and apply the material.

In addition, it's important to keep in mind that the way people consume information has changed dramatically in recent years. Social media has trained us to expect short, snappy content that can be consumed in a matter of seconds. To ensure that your security awareness training is effective, it needs to be tailored to this reality. Use a variety of formats and make sure that your content is engaging and entertaining, as well as informative.

At PhishFirewall, we recognize the importance of spaced learning and have designed our training accordingly. Our training interactions take less than a minute each, and we average just 48 minutes of training per year per employee. By doing more with less, we ensure that our clients are prepared to defend against cyber threats without overburdening their employees.

10. Binge training

Binge-watching may be a popular pastime for many, but it’s not a successful approach to security awareness training. Just like you have a difficult time retaining all the details of a TV show after a binge-watch session, employees are unlikely to retain all the information they need from a one-time, marathon training session. This is especially true when it comes to security awareness training, which can be dense and technical.

Rather than trying to cram all the information into one session, focus on spaced learning opportunities that are tailored to each employee's needs. With shortened attention spans due to the rise of social media and endless digital distractions, it’s more important than ever to adapt your training to meet the needs of today’s workforce. That's why at PhishFirewall, we take a microlearning approach to security awareness training, with bite-sized lessons that can be completed in less than a minute.

The importance of security awareness training cannot be overstated. A successful security awareness program can help protect your company from cyberattacks and data breaches.

By avoiding the top 10 mistakes that many companies make, you can create a program that truly engages and educates your employees. Remember to avoid exploiting your users, perform role-based training and phishing, avoid punitive programs, incorporate training everywhere, provide engaging and entertaining content, make users part of the solution, conduct frequent phishing simulations, use spaced learning, and avoid binge training.

At PhishFirewall, we're committed to providing the best security awareness training possible. Our platform is designed to help you create a culture of security within your organization by providing role-based training and phishing simulations, engaging and entertaining content, and frequent training opportunities. We also offer a free and unlimited tier of our services, so you can start improving your company's cybersecurity right away.

Don't wait until it's too late to start taking security awareness seriously. Sign up for our free training today and start building a more secure future for your organization.