Crafting a Solid Security Awareness Training Program

Remote work has exploded to become a new normal for many industries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This new normal presents exciting possibilities for workers yet exposes them to critical security gaps as employees let their guards down when working remotely. As more data and digital communications are shared or stored on cloud servers, avenues for cyberattacks will only increase over time. Your IT team may understand how vital cybersecurity is, yet your other employees may need to be convinced/trained to comprehend the importance of cybersecurity. Producing a solid security awareness training program is an absolute necessity. Today, we want to share a gameplan to implement and get your employees invested in Security Awareness Training.

Your security awareness training should never be generic. It should give employees the essential information on each subject in easily digestible short lessons that feel relevant to their work. Any training materials you utilize (either produced in-house or by one of our Content Provider partners) should be tailored to your specific business. Some businesses' top cybersecurity concerns may be legal, while others may focus on training their employees to diagnose targeted malware attacks via email phishing scams.

Keeping your security awareness training connected to the most relevant problems employees face daily is critical. The information should be short and straightforward, making it easier for employees to give it their full attention. Giving practical, relatable examples of how common cyberattacks such as phishing scams can impact people at any organization level will help keep employees aware. Regardless of their role, being aware of cybercrime makes a difference. It helps to give examples of situations where a cyberattack can impact a personal level, such as swindling an employee out of money directly.

It is also important to note not all employees are on the same level of security awareness. Some employees may be very internet savvy, allowing them to avoid common phishing scams. By contrast, others think security awareness training isn't relevant to them, as they don't work in IT or handle potentially sensitive materials. Our Learning Management System gives employees the ability to test into (or out of) training with simple tests, such as fake phishing emails or landing pages. Detailed reports allow you to track which employees fail the examination or respond accordingly, making it easy to see which employees need to undergo further training.

Even while security awareness training is essential, some employees may be resistant due to concerns about their activities being tracked. It can help to be openly transparent about the purpose of any new security software, like PhishingBox, and explain the software is being used to keep company and client information secure, not monitor productivity. It is more important than ever to have your employees' buy-in and make sure your company and its data are safe. If you'd like more information on PhishingBox, you can schedule a demo and see for yourself how a Security Training Awareness program can benefit you, your company, and your employees.