What Is Security Awareness Training for Employees?

Cybercriminals have many technologically sophisticated tools at their disposal. Still, most deploy cybersecurity threats and attack strategies that rely on human error or psychological manipulation. For example, 91% of cyberattacks begin with a phishing email designed to trick someone into revealing sensitive information.

Organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to global enterprises, and industries are vulnerable. While industries that handle high volumes of personal data such as healthcare, finance, and education are frequent attack targets, a phishing attempt can impact any organization.

That means when it comes to protecting your organization from security risks, employees can be a key line of defense — if they have the right training. A well-designed security awareness training program can equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize and thwart potential threats before they do lasting damage. Read on to learn how to design an effective training program that strengthens your organization’s security posture

What is Security Awareness Training for Employees?

Security awareness training is a strategic initiative designed to educate employees and stakeholders about the importance of following security and data privacy best practices. Such training typically involves educating employees about the organization's policies and procedures, how to work securely, and who to contact if they encounter a potential security threat. It may also involve training in specific security tools and platforms you employ in your everyday work.

For example, LenelS2 OnGuard users can access complimentary training via an online, self-paced customer education portal, the LenelS2 System User Education Portal. These resources can help employees who administer or operate an OnGuard system understand how to use its comprehensive features to strengthen their organization’s security protections.

Why is Security Awareness Training Important for Employees?

Security awareness training is crucial for employees because it equips them with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to cyber threats, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and financial losses. Effective training fosters a cybersecurity mindset, promoting proactive behaviors that protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with regulations. By minimizing human error and cultivating a culture of vigilance, organizations can safeguard their assets, maintain customer trust, and build a resilient security posture against evolving cyber threats.

What Should Be Covered in Security Awareness Training?

A robust security awareness training program should cover a range of topics to ensure comprehensive education. Here are some critical areas that should be included:

Phishing Awareness

Anti-phishing training should familiarize employees with common tactics used by attackers, such as imitating legitimate organizations or trusted authority figures. Employees should also learn how to recognize phishing attempts and understand the proper way to respond to suspected phishing — for example, by forwarding any suspicious emails to their IT department. 

Password Best Practices

Your security training should cover the basics of good password hygiene, such as creating unique passwords for each account and updating them regularly. You should also discuss how to create strong passwords, for example by avoiding easily guessable information such as names, birthdays, or common words. You may also choose to recommend that employees use a reputable password manager to securely store and manage passwords.

Data Protection

Your security awareness training should emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive data, especially personally identifiable information (PII). Employees should review your organization’s data security policies and fully understand any relevant regulations in your industry or geographic region.

Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s systems or steal confidential information. For example, an attacker could pretend to be your company’s IT support and request your password on the pretext that it is needed for software updates. Your training should teach employees how to recognize and avoid these and other manipulation tactics used by attackers. This includes being cautious of unexpected requests for sensitive data and verifying identities through direct contact.

Insider Threats

Employees should be aware of the potential for insider threats, whether malicious or accidental and how to mitigate them by reporting risky or suspicious activities. For example, if they notice a colleague accessing sensitive data that’s not relevant to their work, they should flag that activity to a superior.

Device or Mobile Security

With the rise of bring your own device (BYOD) policies, more employees are accessing work applications on potentially insecure personal mobile devices than ever before. It's crucial to educate employees on how to secure those devices by updating software regularly, encrypting work-related communications, and avoiding unsecured networks.

Physical Security

Some of the most serious threats to your organization’s security occur outside of cyberspace. Your security awareness training should also emphasize the need to control access to facilities by never sharing ID badges, and training on how to prevent unauthorized access to buildings via tailgating or piggybacking into secure areas. Additionally, employees should be instructed on how to handle and dispose of sensitive information securely, such as shredding documents rather than discarding them in regular trash bins. Finally, training should include protocols for reporting lost or stolen devices and suspicious activities to ensure prompt action and mitigation of potential security threats.

Incident Response

Training employees in incident response can help you mitigate attacks quickly, protecting your systems from more extensive damage. Employees should know to immediately report any suspicious activity, such as unusual emails, unauthorized access attempts, or unexpected system behavior. Make sure they are also familiar with your organization's incident response plan, including the specific steps to take when an incident is suspected or confirmed. 

Besides improving your organization’s overall security posture, implementing security awareness training brings several specific benefits:

Reduced Risk of Data Breaches

An estimated 88% of data breaches are caused by human error or negligence. By educating employees on security best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk that sensitive data will be compromised or leaked.

Compliance with Regulations

Many industries, such as healthcare, must comply with cybersecurity regulations like HIPAA to avoid fines and legal issues. Compliance with independent cybersecurity standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 also demonstrates your organization’s commitment to globally recognized best practices in information security, which fosters trust with clients and stakeholders. Under these frameworks, organizations are required to implement regular employee security training as part of their compliance efforts. For example, achieving ISO 27001 certification demonstrates a commitment to global security standards and the importance of fostering a culture of security through effective training.

Did you know? LenelS2 is ISO 27001 compliant, meaning our clients benefit from the highest standards of information security management. This ensures your sensitive data is protected through robust controls.

Protection of Customer Trust

When consumers know that a company has robust security measures in place, they feel more confident engaging with the brand, particularly to share sensitive data such as contact information or financial details. Additionally, strong cybersecurity practices demonstrate a company's commitment to ethical business operations and regulatory compliance, boosting customer confidence in the brand.

Improved Employee Behavior

Security awareness training isn’t just about incentivizing employees to follow specific best practices (though those are certainly beneficial). It’s also about fostering a culture of security where all employees feel accountable for protecting company assets and data. Cultivating this attitude encourages employees to find ways to contribute proactively to a safer and more resilient organizational environment.

Minimized Financial Loss

The average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million — a financially crippling expense for most organizations. By preventing security breaches and minimizing incidents, your organization can avoid the substantial financial losses associated with cyberattacks.

Increased Awareness and Vigilance

Regular training keeps employees informed about cybercriminals’ latest tactics and heightens their awareness of potential threats. By encouraging employees to stay vigilant, you can increase the chances that they’ll spot suspicious activity quickly, keeping your organization safe from cybercrime.

Cybercriminals’ tactics are constantly evolving, and your security strategies should too. LenelS2 can help your team identify and evaluate current and potential cybersecurity risks so you can focus employee training efforts where they’re needed most.

Our cybersecurity assessment services will help you zero in on security gaps in your organization’s access control systems, address immediate concerns, and develop long-term strategies to ensure your team is always prepared to defend against emerging threats.

Interested in learning more? Contact LenelS2 today.

Please note, the material provided is for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and is not intended to and should not be relied upon or construed as professional, medical or legal advice. Individuals and entities using or referencing the materials are encouraged to consult a professional regarding any specific circumstance.  LenelS2 expressly disclaims all responsibility and shall have no liability for any damages, injuries of any kind or any liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information set forth in these materials.