Cybersecurity threats target systems, processes, and, increasingly, people. While technological defenses like firewalls and endpoint detection continue to advance, the human element remains a frequent entry point for attackers.
According to Verizon’s most recent Data Breach Investigation Report, 68% of data breaches involve human factors—whether through error, negligence, or malicious actions.
This article focuses on addressing human risk: the vulnerabilities introduced when employees make mistakes, fall for phishing attacks, or unintentionally bypass security measures.
While training programs are crucial in mitigating this risk, common pitfalls often limit their effectiveness. Let’s explore those challenges and discuss actionable strategies to overcome them.
Why Most Security Training Programs Miss the Mark
Many organizations invest in security awareness training, but systemic flaws often derail their impact. Relying on compliance-driven designs, outdated content, and shallow metrics leaves employees unprepared for real-world threats.
Here’s a closer look at why many training programs fail to reduce human risk effectively.
Poor Resource Allocation
Organizations often purchase expensive training tools or software but fail to assign the proper resources to implement them. In many cases, responsibility for the program falls to an already overburdened employee.
This results in underutilized “shelfware”—tools that sit unused because there’s no capacity to execute the program effectively.
How to Fix It:
Start by assigning enough time, staff, and budget to manage your training program effectively. Overloading employees without proper support leads to underused tools and wasted resources.
Simplify the process with automation. Campaign automation tools streamline scheduling, user enrollment, and program management. Features like start and end dates, customizable tasks, and a visual Gantt chart help you stay organized while reducing manual effort.
For additional support, consider partnering with a security awareness provider to ensure consistent execution and maximize the value of your tools without overburdening your team.
Lack of Leadership Buy-In
A successful program requires alignment and support from leadership. Without it, even the best training can falter. One real-world example involved a multinational company that failed to inform managers and employees about a phishing simulation.
This lack of communication led to confusion, frustration, and, ultimately, the program being shut down after repeated complaints.
How to Fix It:
Start by securing leadership alignment and ensuring transparent communication. Managers and employees need to know what to expect and why the training matters to avoid resistance.
Strengthen your program with CISO Coaching, where our in-house experts guide you in evaluating your security posture, defining goals, and designing effective learning strategies. They’ll help identify key contributors, streamline deployment, and establish metrics to track compliance, knowledge retention, and behavior changes.
Focusing on Checkbox Compliance
Many organizations approach training as a compliance exercise, focusing solely on regulatory checkboxes. Annual sessions quickly become forgettable and fail to prepare employees for real-world threats. When employees don’t see the training as useful, engagement drops, and so does its effectiveness.
How to Fix It:
Shift the focus from meeting minimum requirements to building an engaging, ongoing program. Incorporate real-world scenarios and regular reinforcement to keep employees prepared.
Inadequate Communication
Communication failures—like launching a phishing simulation without notifying key stakeholders—lead to unnecessary friction and resistance. Employees need context and clarity to understand the value of training.
How to Fix It:
Create a communication plan to ensure everyone, from leadership to end users, understands the program’s purpose, timing, and expected outcomes.
Effective Human Risk Management Starts with Leadership
Managing human risk takes more than just a good training program. Leadership alignment, clear communication, and proper resources are required to drive real change. Without these elements, even the best programs can fall short.
Get expert guidance with CISO Coaching—our in-house experts will help you evaluate your security posture, define goals, and build a program that delivers measurable results.
