Security awareness training once a year is not enough

Why annual training doesn’t work

 

People don’t learn all at once

Our brain is not made to store large amounts of information in one session. Especially not if that information is abstract or evokes little recognition.

Annual training often provides:

• A lot of information in a short time
• Little repetition
• Limited connection to everyday situations
• Rapid forgetting curve

After a few weeks, little remains. Employees may still know phishing exists, but no longer recognize it in their mailboxes.

Knowledge is different from behavior

 

Security awareness is not just about knowing what is safe. It’s about doing what’s secure.

Examples:

• Still clicking on that link because it’s busy
• Reusing that one password because it’s convenient
• Opening an attachment because it appears to be from someone you know

These are habits. And you don’t change habits with an annual PowerPoint.

 

What works better: learning in small steps

 

An effective awareness approach is not an event, but a learning process. Spread out over the year. In manageable chunks.

Think of short moments that are recurring. That way security remains part of your daily work, rather than something you “have to do” once a year.

 

Microtraining in practice

 

Good awareness training consists of small, focused components, such as:

• Short scenarios of two to five minutes
• Regular short tests or questions
• Direct feedback on choices
• Repetition with variation

For example, an employee receives a brief simulation of a phishing email, makes a choice and immediately sees the consequences. That sticks.

 

The learning loop: train, test, evaluate, repeat

 

Smartly combining microtraining creates a fixed cycle, also known as a learning loop:

• Train: short, relevant explanation
• Test: apply in a realistic scenario
• Evaluate: instant feedback and insight
• Repeat: variation on the same theme

 

This approach takes little time at a time, but delivers much more. Employees get used to recognizing risks and adjust their behavior accordingly.

 

Less time, more effect

 

A common concern is time. “Our people are already busy.”

This is precisely why this approach works better.

Instead of one long session a year, spread your learning over the year. A few minutes at a time. No overload, but continuous awareness.

Advantages:

• Less disruption of work
• Better absorption of knowledge
• More recognition in everyday situations
• Measurable behavior change

 

Awareness is about habits

 

Security awareness is not a test of knowledge. It is about automatic responses.

Doubt an unexpected email
Just check before you click
Ask questions if something is not right

That kind of behavior only develops through repetition and practice. Not by a one-time explanation.

 
 

How is your organization addressing this?

Consider your current approach.

Is there one annual session and nothing else?
Or do employees regularly receive short incentives and training?

Organizations that switch to ongoing awareness see fewer incidents and more engagement. Employees feel part of security, rather than a risk.

 

Security awareness according to ALTA-ICT

 

At ALTA-ICT, we look at security behavior, not just knowledge. We help organizations with a structural awareness approach that fits how people really work and learn.

No overload. No theoretical narrative. But short, practical learning moments that stick.

Want to know what that might look like in your organization? Read on at alta-ict.nl/security-behavior or contact us for a practical discussion.