What is the best frequency for cybersecurity training for employees?

Frequency is crucial, but we must be mindful not to overwhelm the audience with an excessive amount of information. It's essential to make a strong impact on new employees as early as possible and to establish a program in collaboration with internal communications experts that aligns with the specific objectives of each topic.

An example i have seen in our company, too much training is as bad as too little training. There must be a program depending on the employee needs, frequent cybersecurity training help to stay updated but it must be joint with application in our company environment.

The optimal frequency for cybersecurity training for employees can vary based on several factors, including the organization's industry, size, existing level of security awareness among employees, and the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. However, a fundamental guideline is to offer cybersecurity training regularly, with reinforcement and updates as necessary.

Regular cybersecurity training for employees should align with risk assessments, industry regulations, and emerging threats. Tailor training frequency to organizational needs, ensuring consistency and relevance. Employee turnover, feedback, and regulatory requirements should also inform training schedules. Prioritizing training enhances security awareness and protects against evolving cyber threats.

Cybersecurity education has to be treated as a business outcome and not something that is relegated to an annual compliance check-in-the-box. In our current era, most companies are software companies: whether they choose to admit it or not. Finance, healthcare, or insurance, are of course the domain. But software is the lifeblood of these industries. The proliferation and sophistication of attacks warrants an equally vigilant and educated workforce. Digital self defense is a crucial skill that must be continuously honed if a firm wishes to be successful in this age.

The correct approach would be continuous and tailored. Formal/Mandatory training is usually compliance centric, but in my experience hands-on training such as tabletops or gamification are the true game changers in terms of situational awareness and quality of decision making. Ultimately, training should not be treated as a compliance exercise, rather it should help the audiences be a better professionals and corporate citizens, in the context of cybersecurity. Security is not everyone's job, but it's everyone's responsibility.

This 100% depends on the organizations perspective. Too often this kind of topic is regulated to “compliance” oriented training, and then as a “check the box” exercise from a risk protection standpoint, and that risk protection is solely in the form of passing liability from the organization to the individual, without any real commitment on the part of the organization to actually change attitudes and behaviors, which take time to bake into processes.

The frequency of cybersecurity training for employees can vary depending on factors such as the organization's size, industry, and level of exposure to cyber threats. However, a general recommendation is to provide regular training sessions, ideally at least once a quarter. It's crucial to keep employees informed about the latest trends, techniques, and best practices for staying secure. Additionally, it's essential to supplement periodic training with awareness initiatives, such as email reminders, posters, and simulated phishing exercises, to keep cybersecurity top of mind for employees throughout the year. This multifaceted approach can help create a strong security culture within the organization and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

According to my experience, enhancing employee awareness on cyber security threats they may come across should be performed according to a customised plan, tailored to the organisation’s objectives and current maturity level. It is essential to consider the availability of the target audience to ensure that both the frequency and duration of the trainings is suitably adjusted. More importantly, the scheduled activities should be complemented by ad hoc, on the spot training and awareness initiatives, based on predetermined criteria, such as the organisation facing a cyber attack or the employee’s behaviour leading to a cyber security incident (e.g. falling victim to a phishing / social engineering attempt).

Frequent formal security training is a good way to anger the business areas and get the training ignored. I would rather see short security "stories" attached to other internal publications. Interesting and relevant stories that take a short time to digest help to reinforce concepts from the more formal yearly training. Additionally, these trainings can focus on specific threats related to specific groups, ie. C suite and/or their executive assistants.

Based on my experience, it’s not about the frequency as much as quality, content and length of the training. Having worked with one market leader and one UK start-up, both operating in the cyber awareness testing and training, I can recommend monthly training if the content is carefully selected. In addition, frequent testing (phishing, smushing, etc) should send those that did not succeed to a targeted training. No shaming, unless someone is consistently failing the tests.

Regular training sessions help employees stay informed about the latest cyber threats, attack techniques, and best practices for protecting sensitive information. With frequent training, employees are more likely to recognize and respond appropriately to security incidents, reducing the risk of data breaches or other cyber attacks. Educated employees are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as clicking on suspicious links or downloading malware-infected files, reducing the organization's overall cyber risk.

The frequency of any Cyber Security training should align with the organisational threat and risk profile. There is no one size fits all approach. The training should be a combination of targeted and generic ones. The targeted ones should cover high risk roles and the generic for the wider groups. The mechanism of delivery too should be wider and suited to individuals of varied skills and experiences. There should be ways to assess the effectiveness of these trainings via various campaigns.

The frequency of cybersecurity training for employees can vary depending on factors such as the industry, the level of cybersecurity risks faced, and the organization's resources. However, it's generally recommended to conduct regular training sessions at least quarterly or semi-annually to keep employees updated on the latest threats, best practices, and company policies. Regular reinforcement helps to ensure that employees remain vigilant and informed about cybersecurity measures.

Remain updated with ever changing tech needs and also to timely monitor coming challenges. Ensuring to remain updated may also cause side effects which may surprise especially at the time of need. Maintaing balance of frequent learning and its effective utilisation is equally important and suggested part of training methodology.

Frequência depende de como queremos os resultados, tendo em vista que realizar muitos treinamentos não significa que tenhamos condições de obter resultados, prefiro treinamentos com assuntos específicos, e acredito que os gestores são os melhores treinadores que temos, pois quem esta no dia a dia, tem mais condições de ajustar os processos e as possíveis soluções. Portanto, pense na forma e no jeito mais objetivo de capacitar a todos.

More frequent cybersecurity training allows you to create more focused content for these sessions and respond to current events. Using multiple shorter sessions instead of one long annual session also makes it easier to fit them into people's calendars. This added flexibility, along with some other tweaks like gamification, can increase employee adoption of the training.

Frequent training sessions increase employee awareness of cybersecurity risks and the importance of security protocols. Regular training can lead to a decrease in security incidents caused by human error or negligence. Frequent training enables employees to stay informed about the latest cyber threats and how to mitigate them effectively.

Let us remember that in the chain of security links... The weakest link is the human factor. Having staff trained in continuous training and with updated information encourages greater benefits in identifying any incidents and in continuous improvement.

Some of the benefits are: - It strengthens the human firewall, making employees more aware and vigilant of cyber threats. - It reduces the risk of phishing, ransomware, and other cyberattacks, preventing costly and damaging breaches. - It protects sensitive information, ensuring data privacy and compliance with regulations. - It empowers the workforce, boosting their confidence and productivity. - It retains customers’ trust, enhancing the reputation and competitiveness of the organization.

Frequent training sessions require employees to dedicate time away from their regular tasks, which can disrupt productivity and workflow. Balancing training with day-to-day responsibilities can be challenging, particularly for employees with heavy workloads or tight deadlines. Employees may struggle to retain and apply the knowledge and skills learned in their daily tasks. Without opportunities for practical application and reinforcement, training outcomes may fail to translate into meaningful improvements in cybersecurity practices. Overexposure to training content may lead to diminished engagement and motivation among employees.

Frequent cybersecurity training faces challenges including cost, time constraints, employee engagement, effectiveness measurement, skill retention, resistance to change, and language/technical barriers. It demands tailored content, interactive methods, management support, and continuous reinforcement to overcome these hurdles and effectively enhance employees' cybersecurity awareness and behavior.

Ja Cybersicherheit gibt es leider nicht immer zum Nulltarif. Cybersicherheit kostet Geld und Zeit. Die sind aber gut investiert. Auch Brandschutzmaßnahmen werden pro Jahr mehrmals geprobt. Das gleiche muss für Cyberschutz auch gelten.

From a risk management standpoint, there's a delicate balance to strike when it comes to the frequency of cybersecurity training. While regular training is vital for keeping defenses robust, organizations must carefully assess the associated challenges. Managing costs, ensuring training engagement, and preventing information overload are critical considerations. A thoughtful, risk-based approach involves evaluating the specific threats faced, tailoring training accordingly, and exploring innovative, cost-effective methods to maintain a well-informed and resilient workforce without causing undue strain or negative outcomes.

Passing on information, almost daily, is a challenge that we have to know how to overcome. We have to know how to convey the right information to the right people. We cannot pass on the same information in the same way to different people, with different positions, with different profiles. The ability to adapt is not only concentrated in the receiver but also in the sender. The receiver's ability to adapt has more to do with a technical level, while the sender's ability to adapt is much more on a human level and the perception of the target audience in front of them, when passing on information.

There's a fine line between frequent training being effective and overwhelming the recipient to the point of ineffectiveness (think alarm fatigue). If staff are needing constant reminders to drive home security principals, it may be time to reevaluate your training to ensure effectiveness for your audience- one "fun", engaging and educational LMS module can be worth more (long-term) than several hard-to-read "boring" text documents.

Um dos maiores desafios em manter a equipe treinada com uma frequência adequda é a maneira que a organização enxerga este tipo de despesa. Ainda há uma forte resistência em colocar no orçamento investimentos em treinamentos. É preciso que a cultura de treinamentos seja contemplada no orçamento global das organizações. One of the biggest challenges in keeping the team trained at an appropriate frequency is the way the organization views this type of expense. There is still strong resistance to investing in training in the budget. It is necessary that the training culture is included in the global budget of organizations.

Conhecer o negócio e facilitar o entendimento dos processos, para que possamos gerar um maior engajamento e participação de todos no processo de segurança da informação e os processos de governança de TI, como orienta o COBIT a visão holistica deve ser avaliada, entendida e tratada de forma mais objetiva.

Entendo que tem temas de segurança que são transversais e devem ser lembrados com frequência como por exemplo as definições e importância da segurança da informação. No mais, ficar atentos a novas ameaças e montar treinamentos e conscientizações devem fazer parte do dia a dia do profissional de segurança.

O desafio é a forma e o conteúdo que sera utilizado para que se tenha uma compreenção clara de como e quando se defender de um possível cyberataque.

Continuously review and update the training program to address evolving cybersecurity threats and organizational needs. Measure the effectiveness of the training program by assessing changes in employee behavior, awareness, and knowledge levels. Deliver training sessions in a flexible and interactive manner to engage employees effectively. Provide relevant and up-to-date content tailored to different roles and levels of expertise within the organization.

Cybersecurity training should be proactive rather than scheduled, tailored to emerging threats and observed user behavior. A rise in CEO Fraud attacks, for example, should prompt immediate, specific training to counteract this threat. If users fail phishing simulations, targeted training for these individuals can correct risky behaviors effectively. This responsive approach ensures training remains relevant and impactful.

La fréquence idéale de sensibilisation à la cybersécurité dépend de divers facteurs tels que la taille de l'entreprise, le niveau d'exposition aux risques, la sensibilité des données traitées. Une sensibilisation régulière est recommandée, mais il faut faire des rappels ponctuels en cas de nouvelles menaces ou en cas d'incidents afin de mieux ancré les notions et les actions.

Aus meiner Erfahrung müssen wir eine individual bezogene Frequenz etablieren. Es ist didaktisch wichtig zu wissen wer mehrfach geschult werden muss weil das Thema noch nicht erfasst und verstanden ist aber auch der Mensch, der dir ersten Schritte geschafft hat, dem muss ein Angebot gemacht werden dass er „dran“ bleibt.

Quite simply, cyber security awareness can be likened to a 6th sense that needs awakening. There are various way of awakening this sense and training is one of them. Frequency is subjective and there’s no magic formula. It’s the efficacy that matters.

Set frequency is too hindering. On dynamic threats you need to be able to provide education dynamically as well. Twice a year and confusing materials, badly thought out structure and wrong subject matter, is often the normal. But, first the threat analysis has to be kept updated, tested and acted upon when needed. Based on this one can also map weaknesses in staff as well as in systems and overseeing personnel. Not to repeat myself, dynamic, good quality that answers to the issues and materials and instructors up-to-date.

Whether you choose to provide annual or more frequent training, it is important to work closely with your leadership to ensure the needs of the organization are met and in alignment with the risk tolerance of the company. Encourage the organization to support more frequent trainings to keep cybersecurity fresh in everyone's minds. Performing phish testing with follow-up training three times a year will not produce the need improvements that performing them every two weeks will produce.

If your organization experiences high turnover or regularly onboard new employees, you may need more frequent training sessions to ensure all staff members are adequately trained. Consider any seasonal fluctuations in cyber threats or business operations. For example, during peak holiday seasons or tax-filing periods, there may be an increased risk of cyberattacks, warranting more frequent training sessions. Foster a culture of continuous learning and cybersecurity awareness within your organization. Regularly remind employees of the importance of staying vigilant against cyber threats and provide opportunities for ongoing education and skill development.

Depending on the company's cybersecurity posture and the state it wants to achieve in the short, medium and long term. Although there is no specific recipe, the definition of a training program helps plan training efforts in a more organized and articulated way.

Debe existir por lo menos un experto en este tema en la empresa que SIEMPRE esté actualizado y, en función de sus hallazgos fuera de la empresa y en la misma empresa debe ayudar a definir la frecuencia en conjunto con los diferentes directores, pues este tema implica a las diferentes áreas.

1. Make it relevant 2. Make it short. It is not interesting videos, but to the point information. 3. Make it based on real life cases. 4. Deliver it as a sub-set of your normal work to reduce friction

Here are some suggestions for enhancing training effectiveness: 1. Determine an optimal frequency to prevent it from feeling repetitive or fostering overconfidence, ensuring it remains engaging. 2. Infuse an element of fun into the learning process to maintain interest and provide a fresh perspective. 3. Foster engagement and interaction throughout the training sessions. 4. Minimize repetition, utilizing quick refreshers when necessary, and introduce new perspectives, case studies, and references. 5. Encourage learning through incentives, such as quizzes interspersed throughout the training and at its conclusion. Give gifts/prizes/appreciation. 6. Gather feedback and take appropriate action based on it for future training sessions.

Real and Hard truth in my experience is how much great the training materials and resources are and how frequent trainings are given, unless its relevant and understandable by the target audience, it will make less effective and enjoyable. Providing contextual examples and experiences, interactive and engaging contents with games and practices, trying out different modes of training like online and in-person, multiplexing diff techniques like sending phishing emails to identify, tournaments etc... will not only educate the employee / audience, it will motivate and imbibe the security learnings in faster intuitive way.

Another critical element to consider is the use of real-world case studies and simulation exercises. These methods can enhance the relevance and applicability of training, providing employees with practical experience in identifying and responding to cybersecurity threats.

The effectiveness of cybersecurity training begins with establishing clear objectives and communicating this to employees. This action helps with engagement, so everyone has a common goal. It is also necessary to adapt the training approach according to the target audience, according to their skill and knowledge levels. We also know that training sessions in which only one person presents and the rest are always listeners end up generating disinterest. Strategies that involve gamification, quizzes, interactivity in some way by the participants, also contribute to the absorption of learning, helping to create an effective and relevant strategy for the company's business.

Considero mais eficaz focar em um ou dois assuntos para criar treinamentos curtos de 5 a 10 minutos, com exemplos práticos relacionados a função e a vida pessoal dos colaboradores da empresa. Sempre utilizo uma avaliação ao final para identificar a maturidade em Segurança da Informação e quais assuntos precisam de mais atenção.

To enhance your cybersecurity training, consider incorporating real-world scenarios and case studies that are relevant to your organization. This approach helps employees understand the practical implications of cybersecurity threats and the importance of following security best practices. Additionally, providing interactive elements such as quizzes, simulations, or gamified learning can increase engagement and knowledge retention. Moreover, offering regular updates and refreshers on cybersecurity topics can help reinforce learning and keep employees informed about new threats and mitigation strategies.

One of the most important preventative control is employee training even after proper training employee falls pray of phishing simulation, think what will happen if that mail is for real. Quaterly training along with awareness mailer and regular simulation or testing should be enough.

The ideal frequency of cybersecurity training for employees depends on several factors, including the company's risk level, changes in the threat landscape, employee knowledge, company culture, and available resources. At a minimum, annual cybersecurity awareness training is recommended. However, more frequent training may be necessary for employees who handle sensitive data or have access to critical systems.

Para un entrenamiento eficaz se deberá considerar: 1. temática acorde al giro de negocio 2. que la especialidad de la capacitación esté acorde al público 3. que no exeda los 50 minutos de formación 4. que la metodología empleada sea dinámica y entetenida para el público 5. que permita la interacción entre el capacitador y el público

Make it personal. Using fear as the driver is not effective. Instead, break it down into how it disrupts their life and their work. Make training an empowerment tool that employees and colleagues can use to protect themselves and drive awareness themselves. It will be more memorable and therefore more effective.

In shaping your cybersecurity training program, remember the human element. Stories of real-world cyber incidents and their impact can resonate deeply, transforming abstract risks into tangible lessons. Encourage sharing experiences within your team to foster a sense of collective responsibility and insight. Additionally, consider the evolving nature of remote work and its implications for cybersecurity practices. Tailor training to address the unique challenges of digital workspaces, emphasizing secure home networks, mobile security, and phishing scams targeting remote employees. Lastly, stay adaptive; as cyber threats evolve, so too should your training approach, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in protecting your organization.

In my experience, the focus should be on impacting and improving behavioral changes not increasing awareness. When you have a program that identifies the behaviors that need to change (employees spotting phishing campaigns but not reporting them regularly) then you can focus your educational program around that specific need. Additionally, tie your program needs to the threats your organization. If you have an MSSP or internal cyberteam or you are the cyber team, spend your time and resources on the main threats not copy cat other programs.

An analogy I often use is that there are people who love to stand on train stations writing down the numbers of trains as they pass, there are people who love to stand in the middle of the moors writing down the names of birds as they fly over and there are people who are passionate about the security of information. Each will extol the virtues of their passion whilst not understanding the others. We have to remember that 'our' target audience are not really that interested in information security they just want to get their job done. Unless we can provide a 'hook' then we might as well not bother. If the training is relevant, entertaining and ideally not seen as training then we are more likely to get our message across.

One interesting way of everyday learning to write more secure software code is a side effect of Glog.AI solution. That is learning from remediation advice given by www.Glog.AI on how to fix security vulnerabilities found in software code. Glog.AI project is focused on research and development of a solution that can give remediation advice for security vulnerabilities in software code based on context. What is more, it is capable of automatically fixing those vulnerabilities. It is based on machine learning and AI. Using this solution, developers learn how to write more secure code.

I would say the relevance, effectiveness and reach of the CyberSec training programs matters the most, it’s not just the frequency of training. I would not prefer a fixed frequency keeping in mind the time and effort of all the resources involved. However, regular updates with the most recent and relevant content to the training is necessary, which should reach the employees as and when it is updated. As most organisations follow, the cybersecurity training should be part of the new employee onboarding or orientation programs regularly.

Also make it about protecting themselves and their family at home. The same security hygiene protects them and you everywhere.

Industry is a crucial factor in determining cybersecurity training frequency. For instance, finance or healthcare organizations, which handle sensitive data, benefit from more frequent sessions than, a retail business. While budgeting is essential, never compromise on global standards like ISO 27001. However, smaller teams can leverage resourceful solutions like free online training platforms or relevant community initiatives. For most teams, I would recommend annual training covering core concepts and threats along with regular updates based on emerging vulnerabilities. A recent security assessment tool I used highlighted the effectiveness of phishing simulations in keeping employees vigilant; so, consider doing 2-3 simulations per year.

Regardless of the frequency of cybersecurity training, here is what else to put into perspective, Evaluating the level of risk exposure and the evolving threat landscape to determine the frequency of training needed.

Quando se trata de segurança, nada deve ser desprezado. As medidas de prevenção, campanhas internas e treinamentos pontuais ajudam mas não garantem ambientes seguros. Sempre o elo mais fraco desta corrente é o ser humano. Por este motivo o processo de acompanhamento da seguranca tem que ser dinâmico, atrativo, atual e principalmente "inteligente". Monitorar e aferir deve ser uma constante. Afinal "EM DEUS A GENTE ACREDITA, O HOMEM A GENTE AUDITA".