1. To avoid breaches and assaults.

To begin with the most apparent, security awareness training aids in the prevention of breaches. It is impossible to estimate the exact number of breaches that security awareness training avoids. In an ideal world, we’d be able to conduct a randomised controlled experiment comparing individuals who got instruction to those who did not. 

This might be a step too far for most organisations. However, this does not exclude us from demonstrating the ROI of security awareness software. It is feasible to compare the number of occurrences prior to and following awareness efforts. The measurements that arise can be utilised to calculate ROI. Data breaches may cost millions of dollars. Meanwhile, security awareness training is reasonably priced. It doesn’t take much to generate significant profits.

2. Establishing a security culture

A security culture has long been seen as the holy grail for chief information security officers (CISOs). Similarly, such a culture is widely regarded as infamously difficult to develop. Some are moving in the right path with the help of security awareness training. 

Creating a security culture entails incorporating security ideals into the fabric of your organisation. Training that includes situational awareness (why someone could be at danger), as well as job and home-life advantages, is an effective approach to get people on board. Advanced training tools may assist in monitoring and developing a security culture, making people your first line of defence.

3. Strengthening technical defences

Technological defences are an effective tool for preventing intrusions. However, technological defences require human input. Firewalls must be enabled. Security alerts must be acknowledged. Software must be upgraded. Few firms nowadays would dare to operate without technical safeguards. Nonetheless, technology defences cannot reach their full effectiveness without security awareness training. Today’s attackers rarely bother attempting to target firms only through technical methods. Today’s attackers generally target individuals since they are viewed as a simple route into secure networks.

4. To instil trust in your consumers

Consumers are becoming more conscious of cyberthreats. They want to feel protected and secure as clients. A company that takes steps to strengthen cyber security will have a greater chance of gaining customer trust. And a trustworthy company is one that retains its consumers. 

This isn’t a wild guess. According to a recent Arcserve poll, 70% of customers feel businesses are not doing enough to protect cyber security. Almost two out of every three consumers would avoid doing business with a company that had been the victim of a cyberattack in the previous year. Customers clearly care about security credentials. Customers regard you as more responsible when you implement security awareness training. That can only be a positive thing.

5. To ensure compliance

To be clear, introducing security awareness training for the sake of compliance is not sufficient. Those that implement training merely to meet regulatory requirements risk doing the bare minimum. Nonetheless, an increasing number of agencies are requiring that particular businesses undergo security awareness training.

“Firms of all sizes must establish a ‘security culture,’ starting with the board and working their way down to every employee. Cyber security is a shared responsibility, and we adopt a collaborative approach to combating this danger, collaborating with the government, other regulators, and stakeholders on a national and worldwide scale.”

Compliance can be a pleasant side effect of security awareness training. Those that use it improve their security and, in many cases, satisfy regulatory obligations.

6. Being a socially responsible business

Cyberattacks may spread quickly, as WannaCry and NotPetya proved in 2017. The more compromised networks there are, the more vulnerable other networks become. And the vulnerability of one network raises the total risk for others.

The lack of security awareness training in one organisation exposes other organisations to risk. It’s a little like leaving your front door unlocked with the keys to the next door inside.

Security awareness training is beneficial to more than just you. It benefits your customers, suppliers, and everyone else who is connected to your network.

7. To boost staff morale

It is generally established that happy individuals are more productive. So, it’s important to realise that security awareness training accomplishes more than merely keep employees safe at work. It also keeps them safe in their personal lives.

This specific benefit, for the most part, goes unnoticed. If security awareness training serves its purpose, it is more than just an employer perk. It’s also a perk for employees.