This blog was originally published on July 1, 2021, and has since been updated for accuracy and clarity.
Security awareness training teaches employees how to recognize phishing, social engineering, and other cyber threats before they cause harm. It helps reduce human error, support compliance, and strengthen your overall cybersecurity program.
Attackers often use fake invoices, login pages, and business requests to trick employees into sharing information or granting access. Because these tactics rely on everyday decisions, technical security tools may not stop every attempt.
Employee mistakes, stolen credentials, and social engineering continue to contribute to security incidents. Security awareness training adds an important layer of protection by helping employees identify risks and respond appropriately.
At Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS), we help businesses reduce employee-related cyber risk with security awareness programs tailored to their teams, systems, industries, and compliance requirements.
In this article, we invited Sean Harris, ITS Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, to explain what security awareness training covers and how it supports a strong cybersecurity plan.
You'll learn:
What Is Security Awareness Training?
Security awareness training is an employee education program that teaches staff how to recognize and respond to cyber risks, including phishing, social engineering, and unsafe data handling. Training may include onboarding sessions, annual courses, periodic refreshers, and simulated phishing exercises.
Programs typically cover:
- Phishing, social engineering, and impersonation scams
- Password security and multi-factor authentication
- Safe handling of company and customer data
- How and when to report suspicious activity
- Industry-specific requirements, such as protecting patient or payment data
Businesses can manage training internally or work with a cybersecurity provider. Leaders should track results over time to measure progress, identify knowledge gaps, and improve future training.
Why Does Your Business Need Security Awareness Training?
Phishing messages can be difficult to spot. Fake invoices, spoofed vendor requests, and urgent messages that appear to come from company leaders can pressure employees into acting before they verify the request.
Before training, organizations in KnowBe4's 2026 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report had an average baseline Phish-prone Percentage (PPP) of 33.2%. After 12 months of continuous training and simulated phishing tests, that average fell to 4.2%, representing an 87% reduction.
Results will vary, but the findings show how regular training can help employees recognize and report suspicious messages.
"Most employees want to protect the business, but they need clear examples of what modern attacks look like," Sean explains. "When training reflects the threats they face, they become more confident and consistent in spotting them."
Small and mid-sized businesses also face ransomware risk. Security awareness training supports broader ransomware defenses by teaching employees to question unusual requests, identify suspicious messages, and report concerns quickly.
By helping employees pause, verify, and report, security awareness training adds another layer to the company's cybersecurity program.
Read: How to Train Your Employees to Protect Sensitive Data
What Are the Benefits of Security Awareness Training?
A well-run training program can reduce employee-related risk, support compliance, and help leaders assess whether security habits are improving.
Supporting Compliance Requirements
Several regulations and security standards require organizations to provide security awareness training.
The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities and business associates to provide security awareness and training for all workforce members. PCI DSS v4.0.1 requires training upon hire and at least once every 12 months, including awareness of phishing and social engineering.
Covered entities regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services must also provide at least annual cybersecurity awareness training that includes social engineering, under 23 NYCRR Part 500.
"For regulated businesses, training is a documented security control," Sean notes. "Auditors and insurers may ask for evidence that employees completed the training and that the business reviews its program over time."
Cyber insurance carriers may also ask about employee training during underwriting. Depending on the carrier and policy, they may review it alongside controls such as multi-factor authentication, backups, and incident response planning.
Building Stronger Security Habits
Security awareness training encourages employees to pause before clicking, verify unusual requests, and report concerns. These practices can also improve how employees use passwords, share files, and handle sensitive data.
Reducing Breach Risk
Security awareness training can help lower the risk of a data breach. According to IBM, training employees to recognize and avoid phishing and social engineering can reduce breach risk, while proper data-handling training can help prevent accidental breaches and data leaks.
"The strongest results come from regular training, testing, and follow-up," Sean adds. "Repetition helps employees remember what to look for, and it gives leaders a clearer view of where risk remains."
Read: Employee Cybersecurity Training & You: 6 Effects on Businesses
How Can ITS Help Your Business Improve Security Awareness?
Security awareness training helps employees take an active role in protecting your business. Regular training can improve threat recognition, reduce phishing risk, and support compliance with HIPAA, PCI DSS, and applicable state cybersecurity requirements.
Intelligent Technical Solutions has helped businesses strengthen cybersecurity since 2003. We help you build a practical security awareness program, measure employee progress, and identify where additional training may be needed.
Ready to improve your team's security awareness? Schedule a free cybersecurity consultation to review your current approach, uncover gaps, and define clear next steps.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How often should employees receive security awareness training?
A: Employees should receive training throughout the year. Short lessons, reminders, and phishing tests can help reinforce safe habits.
Q: What topics should security awareness training cover?
A: Training should cover phishing, social engineering, password safety, data handling, and incident reporting. Regulated businesses should also include required compliance topics.
Q: Does security awareness training reduce cyber risk?
A: Yes, training can help employees spot and report suspicious activity. It cannot stop every attack, but it can reduce employee-related risk.
Q: Is security awareness training required by law?
A: Requirements depend on your industry, location, and the data you handle. HIPAA, some state laws, and standards such as PCI DSS include employee training requirements.
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