How to ensure your staff stay secure and safe with security awareness training

Are you ready to dive into the world of security awareness training without the jargon and clutter? We’ve got your back! It’s time to simplify the process and break it down into seven key steps so that you can create a customised training programme with ease.

Step 1: Get Buy-in from the Top Down

Getting senior management’s buy-in is more than just a formality; it’s a critical cornerstone. Explain to your company’s leaders why security awareness training is indispensable in our cyber-threat-ridden world. Highlight the benefits it brings to the table, such as safeguarding sensitive data, preventing costly security breaches, and maintaining the organisation’s reputation. Align your pitch with the company’s overarching goals and values to make it a no-brainer for the top brass to allocate resources for this essential training.

Pro-tip: To expedite the process and enhance your authority, emphasise how the training will benefit the entire organisation, making it a collective effort to fortify your cybersecurity.

Step 2: Perform a Gap Analysis Assessment

A gap analysis assessment isn’t just a routine exercise; it’s the compass guiding you towards tailored, effective training. This step involves delving deep into your organisation’s security posture, identifying areas where employees might fall victim to threats like phishing. By establishing the desired future state and comparing it with the current situation, you can gauge the scope of the challenge and formulate a strategic plan to bridge the gap.

Pro-tip: Leverage tools and resources that can assist you in conducting a thorough gap analysis. This will provide invaluable insights into the vulnerabilities specific to your organisation.

Step 3: Schedule Regular, Consistent Training

In today’s ever-evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity is not a “set it and forget it” affair. It’s essential to schedule regular, consistent training sessions for your employees. Monthly training has been found to be highly effective, as it keeps your staff informed about the latest threats while ensuring knowledge retention.

Pro-tip: When selecting a security awareness training program, opt for one that allows for personalised training rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This approach ensures that training is tailored to your organisation’s unique needs.

Step 4: Review Training Performance Regularly

Your job isn’t finished once your employees have undergone security awareness training. Regularly reviewing their performance is crucial. It provides insights into where they stand and how they can improve. Some training programs offer metrics and real-time coaching to help employees overcome obstacles.

Pro-tip: Utilise training programs that include performance metrics and insights, allowing you to measure the impact of your training efforts, ongoing adoption rates, and changes over time.

Step 5: Deploy Periodic Phishing Simulations

Mastery of cybersecurity requires practice. One-off training needs to be improved in today’s rapidly changing cyber-threat landscape. Deploying periodic phishing simulations is a valuable tool to keep employees on their toes. These simulations serve as refresher courses, honing the skills employees have already learned while enabling your organisation to measure their progress.

Step 6: Educate People Who Fail Phishing Simulations

Failure isn’t a dead-end but an opportunity for growth. When employees fail phishing simulations, it’s a sign that further education is needed. IT managers can provide additional guidance to make employees more vigilant against suspicious emails. Remedial measures, such as reinforcing the signs of phishing emails, can be incredibly effective in preventing future mishaps.

Pro-tip: Choose training programs that offer bite-sized, digestible content that reinforces core messages. This helps employees grasp critical information quickly.

Step 7: Implement Policy Processes

Policies are the foundation of a secure organisation. Implementing clear and traceable policy documentation is essential. Ensure that your employees understand the policies and are committed to following them. Look for training programs that offer ready-made policy templates, making it easier to roll out policies such as email security, password management, or encryption.

Pro-tip: Seek out training programs with tracking features that clearly show employee progress in adhering to policies. This ensures that policies have been viewed and signed, and no employee is left behind.

In the words of Ginni Rometty, “Cybercrime is the greatest threat to every company in the world.” It’s a reality we can’t afford to ignore. Security awareness training is your shield against this threat. Follow this comprehensive 7-step roadmap, and choose a training program that perfectly suits your organisation’s needs. With a well-rounded and robust training program in place, you’ll be better prepared to protect your organisation’s digital assets and reputation.