® 
Security Awareness Training
Definition
Security awareness training is a training program that teaches employees to recognize and respond correctly to cyberthreats. Phishing simulations, e-learning, and workshops are common forms.
Security awareness training is an ongoing training programme teaching employees to recognise and correctly respond to cyber threats. Human action is involved in 68% of all data breaches (Verizon DBIR 2024), making employee awareness the most impactful security investment an organisation can make.
How does security awareness training work?
Effective training goes beyond annual e-learning. It is an ongoing programme combining multiple methods: interactive workshops and masterclasses, phishing simulations testing recognition skills, micro-learnings delivering regular short security lessons, current threat updates, and gamification making learning engaging. Training is tailored to different department roles and risks.
Topics
Recognising phishing: email, SMS (smishing), phone (vishing) and QR codes. Password hygiene: strong passwords, password managers and MFA. Social engineering: recognising manipulation techniques. Secure remote working: VPN use, public WiFi risks. Data protection: GDPR awareness. Incident reporting.
Impact on organisations
NIS2 mandates demonstrable security training. Organisations conducting regular training reduce phishing click rates by 75% (KnowBe4). Cyber insurers increasingly require security awareness programmes.
Protection
Make training ongoing, not one-time. Measure results with KPIs: click rate, reporting rate, knowledge tests. Provide targeted training for risk groups. Combine training with technical measures.
How DEFION helps
DEFION provides Security Awareness Masterclasses and phishing simulations as part of an ongoing awareness programme.