What is Security Awareness Training?

More and more businesses are exploring security awareness training. But what is it? How does it differ from other cyber training? And why is it needed? We’re here to answer all these questions, and more! 

Here’s a bit of good news for you: cybersecurity has never been taken more seriously by businesses than it is today. In fact, according to the government’s latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 75% of businesses are making cybersecurity one of their top priorities. That’s a 12% increase on last year. 

And businesses aren’t just saying security is important; they’re showing it. Since 2023, 9% more businesses are building network firewalls, 7% more are using up-to-date malware protection, and 6% more are focusing on permissions and creating internal processes for handling phishing emails. 

Fantastic! Unfortunately, there’s still a problem. 

Despite these growing efforts, the number of businesses experiencing a cyber attack is growing. The 2023 report estimated that 11% of organisations had suffered some form of attack in the previous 12 months. That figure grew to 22% this year. Surely the number should be dropping?

Risk awareness vs security awareness

If security measures are increasing, then surely security awareness is increasing at the same time?

In a way, it is. And the Cyber Security Breaches Survey notes that ‘organisations have an increasing awareness of the cyber security risks posed’. ‘Risks’ is the key word here. Yes, awareness of risks may be growing. But awareness of how to manage these risks remains a major issue we need to address. 

It’s certainly a good thing that around 20% of businesses in 2024 have provided some form of cyber training. What isn’t so good is that many training programmes don’t cover all-round awareness. 

For example, thanks to dedicated training, it’s possible that everyone in your organisation knows what a phishing attack is, and the problems it can create. They may also know that there are specific tools (like Microsoft Outlook) that can reduce the risk of a phishing email reaching their inbox. But the training may not cover what to do if an employee does happen to end up face-to-face with a phishing email. 

Despite best efforts, real threats can still appear. And when they do, it’s down to the employees themselves to ensure they’re aware of what to do, and take the right steps to limit the impact. 

Sadly, around 95% of cyber attacks are able to succeed because employees mishandle threats or make mistakes. This highlights an urgent need for thorough security awareness training. 

The need for security awareness training

Security awareness training is a comprehensive programme that not only improves awareness of risk, but also of cybersecurity as a whole. It typically covers everything from best practices and risk identification to advanced threat management, reporting strategies for suspicious activity, and more. 

Another notable difference between standard security training and security awareness training can be seen in how it’s delivered. Standard training is often delivered through classroom-style courses. But awareness training goes further, creating immersive and interactive learning experiences that help participants imagine themselves in real-world risk scenarios. Phishing simulations, hands-on coaching, and gamified exercises are quite often included within security awareness training courses. 

Ultimately, this type of training acknowledges the difference between learning something and becoming aware of something. It doesn’t just teach; it encourages active participation from employees as they delve deeper into cybersecurity, helping them make smarter decisions. 

Why is awareness dropping?

Security awareness is not something that can be fully developed within the confines of a business bubble. Instead, it comes from bringing in outside perspectives, helping employees see and understand the big picture. However, the government’s recent cyber reports suggest that ‘there has been a fall in the proportion of businesses seeking information or guidance on cyber security from outside their organisations’, and shows that this has been in steady decline for the past six years. 

To give your business the best chance of overcoming cyber threats, you can’t remain in a closed-off bubble. It’s crucial to allow others in, and help them to help you. That’s exactly what we’re here for at Reliable, with tailored security awareness training solutions designed around your team’s needs. 

Get in touch with us to find out more.