Security Awareness Training & Education: Your Best Defense Against Cyber Risk

Hanlon’s Razor:

Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by ignorance

This simple wisdom rings especially true in cybersecurity, where human error often opens the door for cyber attackers—sometimes with staggering consequences.

A Cautionary Tale

Consider this scenario: A CFO at a respected organization receives an urgent email from a third-party vendor, requesting a wire transfer to cover payroll expenses. The request feels routine, so within hours, several hundred thousand dollars are transferred funding what appears to be legitimate payroll.

But behind the scenes, a threat actor has used stolen credentials to access the vendor’s email account, manipulated the communication chain, and made a subtle change to the sender’s email address, an “s” added where it shouldn’t be. The attack goes undetected until nearly half a million dollars is deposited into the fraudster’s account.

This isn’t just a one-off event; it’s emblematic of what business leaders around the world contend with every day.

Why Human Error Is Cyber’s Weakest Link

Recent statistics lay bare the reality:

• 68% of breaches involve non-malicious human error.
• 15% involve a third party or supplier, often following a human mistake.¹

As artificial intelligence accelerates the speed, specificity, and sophistication of phishing and social engineering attacks, even experienced professionals are at risk. Email, voice, and video can be convincingly faked, making it harder than ever to spot threats.

In 2024, IBM found a 71% increase in attacks using compromised credentials, driven in part by AI-enabled campaigns.²

The lesson is clear: building cyber resilience is not just about technology; it’s about people.

Security Awareness Training: Transforming Culture and Defense

Security awareness training (SAT) isn’t just another compliance tick-box; it’s a cornerstone of a strong security culture.

Sarah Halphen Senior Security Engineer at SpearTip, puts it plainly:

Empowering end users through regular cybersecurity training transforms them from passive recipients into proactive guardians of our digital landscape. When individuals are equipped to recognize threats, they become the first line of defense. Knowledge is our strongest defense, and together, we can create a safer digital environment for all.

The impact of SAT is measurable. According to Fortinet 89% of leaders report improved security posture after implementing SAT programs, even as 67% worry their workforce lacks general security awareness, a concern that has grown 11% year-over-year.³

IT professionals overwhelmingly cite poor user practices and lack of end-user cybersecurity training as the top root causes of incidents.⁴

Remote Work and BYOD: Extending the Challenge

SAT is critical as work environments evolve:

• 71% of employees store sensitive work data on personal devices, and over 40% have been targeted by phishing scams.⁵
• Nearly half (45%) of individuals do not change passwords after a breach, increasing the risk of follow-on attacks.⁶
• One in three organizations fails to provide SAT to remote employees, leaving critical gaps in cyber hygiene.⁷
• 52% of U.S. employees bypass policies to use unsanctioned apps or email, exposing sensitive data to risk.⁸

Remote work and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies make it harder for organizations to enforce corporate security standards. Employees tend to be less vigilant on personal devices and hackers know it. SAT helps bridge this gap by building a security-first mindset, no matter where or how employees work.

Building a Resilient, Security-First Organization

An effective SAT program does more than teach compliance—it fosters a culture where everyone feels responsible for cybersecurity. This means:

• Empowering every individual—from new hires and suppliers to executives
• Delivering regular, relevant training based on current threat intelligence
• Measuring impact and improvement with clear metrics and follow-up
• Supporting positive behaviors such as strong password hygiene, email vigilance, and reporting suspicious activity

Organizations that invest in ongoing SAT reduce exposure, enhance resilience, and build lasting trust with clients and partners.

The Bottom Line: Awareness Is the Best Defense

Security awareness training and continuous education are imperative for protecting data, finances, and reputation. As cyber threats grow in complexity, the most effective safeguard is an informed, vigilant workforce—your true first line of defense.

Why focus on building a security-first culture and require ongoing training?

Because the best defense starts with awareness.

Sources:

1. Verizon. (2024). Data breach investigations report. Verizon Enterprise.
2. IBM Security. (2024). IBM X-Force threat intelligence index 2024. IBM Corporation.
3. Fortinet. (2024). Security awareness and training global research report. Fortinet.
4. Kaseya. (2024). Cybersecurity survey report. Kaseya.
5. SlashNext. (2023). Mobile BYOD security report. SlashNext, Inc.
6. LastPass. (2022). Psychology of passwords. LastPass.
7. Proofpoint. (2024). Voice of the CISO report. Proofpoint, Inc.
8. Mobile Mentor. (2024). Endpoint ecosystem study. Mobile Mentor.