It's a fair question: Does security awareness training actually work? The short answer is yes—but only if done correctly. It must be a continuous, strategic initiative.
Evidence: The Drop in Click Rates
Data from millions of users shows that consistent training drastically reduces the "Phish-prone percentage".
Impact of Training on Phishing Click Rates
Baseline (Day 0)33%
After 90 Days16%
After 12 Months4%
Why Some Programs Fail
Infrequent Training: Once a year is not enough
Boring Content: Long videos = tuned out users
Zero Relevance: General advice that doesn't apply to roles
Punitive Culture: Punishing mistakes drives threats underground
Keys to Success
1Continuous
Monthly or weekly touchpoints keep security top-of-mind.
2Engaging
Use humor, storytelling, and gamification.
3Data-Driven
Identify high-risk groups and tailor training to them.
Calculating the ROI
The ROI Equation
Cost of Breach = (Probability) x (Cost of Impact)
By reducing the human error probability, training provides massive savings compared to the millions lost in a breach.
By reducing the human error probability, training provides massive savings compared to the millions lost in a breach.
Key Takeaway
"The question is not "does it work," but "are we doing it right?" Consistent simulation is the key variable."
