BackMaximizing Employee Engagement in Cybersecurity Training
5 minIntroduction
Cybersecurity awareness training is only effective if employees actively participate and retain the knowledge. Low engagement can lead to poor quiz performance, missed training sessions, and ultimately, a workforce unprepared for cyber threats.
This article explores best practices to boost engagement in Academy’s cybersecurity training sessions.
Why Engagement Matters
The Risks of Low Participation
- Employees may miss critical security concepts, increasing vulnerability.
- Poor engagement reduces retention, making training ineffective.
- Organizations may fail compliance audits due to incomplete training.
The Benefits of Active Engagement
- Improved awareness of real-world threats (e.g., phishing, password security).
- Higher quiz scores, demonstrating better understanding.
- More confident and proactive employees in handling security risks.
Choosing the Right Video Style
Academy offers three video styles to accommodate different learning preferences:
- Animated videos: Best for visual learners and simplifying complex topics.
- First-person presenter videos: A speaker explains cybersecurity topics with a slideshow running behind them.
- Sketch-based videos: Engaging, hand-drawn animations that break down key concepts.
Leveraging Quizzes to Reinforce Learning
Each Academy session includes a 4-10 question quiz designed to:
- Assess knowledge retention.
- Highlight knowledge gaps.
- Encourage active participation.
Best Practices for Quizzes
✅ Set clear expectations about passing scores. ✅ Allow enough time for employees to process the video before taking the quiz. ✅ Review low performers and consider assigning additional sessions.
Strategies to Improve Engagement
1. Use Drip Training for Consistency
Instead of overwhelming employees, schedule training sessions with drip time to gradually introduce security concepts.
2. Incentivize Training Completion
Recognition and rewards can motivate employees. Examples:
- Certificates for high quiz scores.
- Department leaderboards for completed training.
3. Make Training Relatable
Use real-world case studies or highlight security breaches to show why training matters.
4. Track and Follow Up on Engagement
Monitor who is participating and follow up with employees who are falling behind.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity training is most effective when employees are engaged. By choosing the right video styles, leveraging quizzes, and using drip training, organizations can ensure employees retain knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios.
In the next article, we’ll explore how to track and improve employee performance in Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test the phishing simulation before a full launch?
Yes, our platform offers a "Test" option that allows you to send the first simulation to a small group of selected users. This trial run lets you experience the simulation process and ensure everything is functioning correctly before deploying it to your entire target audience.
How does Rotate track and report simulation results?
Results from phishing simulations are displayed on the Phishing Page within the Awareness Hub. You can view which users failed specific campaigns, review individual performance summaries, and analyze overall metrics like failure rates and engagement rates. This data helps you identify areas for improvement and tailor your training programs accordingly.
How are phishing emails customized in simulations?
Our platform allows you to select from a variety of predefined email templates that resemble common phishing tactics, such as "Gmail Out of Storage" with a fake Google login page. You can also customize these templates to better fit your organization’s context, making simulations more relevant and effective.
Why is phishing simulation important?
Phishing simulations help identify how susceptible your employees are to phishing attacks. This allows you to provide targeted training, reduce the risk of data breaches, and strengthen your overall cybersecurity posture.
What is a phishing simulation?
A phishing simulation is a controlled, mock phishing attack designed to train and assess employees' ability to recognize and respond to real phishing attempts. It helps organizations evaluate their vulnerability and improve their security awareness programs.