And yet, attacks are on the rise. People keep clicking. Data keeps leaking.
The point is simple: training alone isn’t enough. We need to change our perspective.
Because the real issue isn’t a lack of content — it’s how we think about training:
as an event, not a process.
As a requirement, not an opportunity.
As something to teach, not something to activate.
In this article, we explore 5 common mistakes that make security awareness ineffective — and what we, as companies, can do to truly change course.
- Believing that “once a year” is enough
One-off phishing simulations.
Often with obviously fake emails.
Just to “check the box.”
Too bad the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report shows that 68% of breaches still involve human error.
And we know the human brain forgets 70% of information after just one day.
What’s needed instead is consistency, realism, progression.
We need training — not just exposure.
- Using the same approach for everyone
Employees, managers, interns, technicians, administrators. All given the same training.
Same videos, same quizzes, same fake Amazon package email.
It doesn’t work. And the reason is simple: security is personal.
People have different roles, sensitivities, and responsibilities.
Someone in finance is a different target than someone in marketing.
A new hire doesn’t have the same background as someone with twenty years of experience.
Effective training is tailored. It evolves with the person, their behavior, and their mistakes.
Those who click get more guidance. Those who don’t, reinforce what they’ve learned.
- Measuring training… by completion rate
“98% of employees completed the course.”
Great.
But then what? Did they actually learn something? Are they putting it into practice? Do they feel like active participants in the company’s security?
Real training is measured by behavior, not attendance.
Clicking on a malicious email, reaction time, asking for support when in doubt, sharing best practices — these are the KPIs that matter.
The rest is just paperwork.
- Chasing effectiveness while ignoring psychology
We know everything about the technical side. But very little about the human side.
And yet, that’s where the real risk lies. People make mistakes because they’re tired, distracted, overwhelmed.
Because they trust. Because they feel under pressure. Because the email “looked real.”
Phishing doesn’t fool reason. It fools attention.
That’s why training must also draw on behavioral science.
Repetition, context, immediate feedback, positive reinforcement.
Not slides, but experiences.
Not theory, but hands-on practice.
Training as culture — not as a course.
- Believing the risk is “out there”
The classic cybersecurity narrative is all about external threats: hackers, malware, ransomware.
But today, more and more often, the real entry point is inside.
A shared password, a USB stick, a click.
Not out of bad intentions — but out of unawareness.
Security starts from within.
And it’s built day by day, person by person.
We need a shared culture. We need to engage, empower, and make everyone feel part of the solution.
And that only happens through training that can speak, inspire, and adapt.
What we need is a mindset shift — not another course.
Security awareness isn’t a product you can buy. It’s a process you build — together.
It takes time, method, the ability to listen, and effective tools.
But above all, we need to change the starting question.
Not: “Did we deliver the training?”
But: “Are people behaving differently than they did yesterday?”
This is where our approach begins.
With Albert, we’ve developed a continuous, personalized, and integrated security awareness program.
A journey that combines:
- targeted and progressive phishing simulations
- modular and interactive training
- Monitoring real‑world behaviors.
- and an intelligent system that adapts content based on risk level, role, and user response.
It’s not just about “training.” It’s about engaging people, changing habits, and building a culture.
