Despite the advanced technologies and tools available, like attack surface management, endpoint detection and response, SIEM systems, and others, there is still a massive hole in many organization’s cybersecurity strategies, many cyberattacks succeed due to human error—phishing scams, weak passwords, and social engineering are just a few examples. As a result, empowering employees with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to cyber threats is essential for safeguarding your organization.
Security awareness training programs play a crucial role in building a security-conscious culture within your workforce. These programs are designed to educate employees about the latest cyber threats, teach them best practices for safeguarding information, and equip them with the tools to recognize and mitigate potential attacks.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 security awareness training programs for employees, each offering unique features and benefits to help organizations strengthen their defenses. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive training modules, interactive simulations, or industry-specific courses, these programs provide the resources needed to create a vigilant and informed workforce.
The Top 10 Security Awareness Training Programs for Employees
1. KnowBe4
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- Overview: KnowBe4 is one of the most widely recognized cybersecurity training platforms, known for its comprehensive and user-friendly approach. The platform offers a variety of training modules, including phishing simulations, interactive courses, and compliance training.
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- Key Features:
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- Extensive library of engaging content covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics.
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- Phishing simulations that can be customized to mimic real-world attacks.
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- Reporting and analytics to track employee progress and measure the effectiveness of training.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations looking for a well-rounded, scalable solution that can address both general cybersecurity awareness and specific compliance requirements.
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- Overview: The SANS Institute is renowned in the cybersecurity industry for its in-depth training programs and certifications. Their Security Awareness training program is designed to be both comprehensive and flexible, offering courses that cater to various levels of expertise.
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- Key Features:
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- High-quality, research-driven content developed by industry experts.
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- Courses tailored for different roles within the organization, from executives to IT staff.
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- Regular updates to keep content aligned with the latest threat trends.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations seeking expert-driven content and a robust training program that can be tailored to different employee roles.
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- Overview: CyberSafe offers a unique approach to cybersecurity training by focusing on creating a positive security culture within organizations. The platform uses storytelling and interactive elements to engage employees and reinforce key security concepts.
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- Key Features:
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- Short, engaging training modules that fit easily into employees’ schedules.
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- Emphasis on behavior change and fostering a security-first mindset.
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- Regular assessments to gauge employee understanding and retention.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations aiming to create a security-conscious culture through innovative and engaging training methods.
4. Infosec IQ
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- Overview: Infosec IQ is a comprehensive security awareness training platform that provides a wide range of courses and tools to help organizations educate their employees. The platform includes phishing simulations, role-based training, and compliance-focused content.
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- Key Features:
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- Customizable training paths to meet specific organizational needs.
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- Integration with existing LMS platforms for seamless deployment.
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- Detailed analytics and reporting to monitor progress and measure training effectiveness.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations looking for a flexible and customizable training solution that can be integrated with existing systems.
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- Overview: PhishMe, now part of Cofense, is a leading provider of phishing simulation and training solutions. The platform focuses on conditioning employees to recognize and respond to phishing attacks, one of the most common vectors for cyber threats.
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- Key Features:
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- Realistic phishing simulations that mimic current attack techniques.
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- Automated training based on employee responses to phishing simulations.
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- Community-based threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging phishing threats.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations with a particular focus on phishing threats and those looking to improve their employees’ ability to identify and avoid phishing attacks.
6. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
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- Overview: Proofpoint offers a comprehensive security awareness training program that covers a broad spectrum of cybersecurity topics. The platform is designed to educate employees on various threats and best practices, with a strong emphasis on phishing and social engineering.
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- Key Features:
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- Extensive content library covering email security, data protection, and more.
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- Phishing simulations with customizable scenarios.
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- Reporting tools to measure the effectiveness of training and identify areas for improvement.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations looking for a broad-based security awareness program with a strong focus on phishing and social engineering.
- Overview: Elevate Security focuses on human behavior analytics and risk reduction, providing tailored security awareness training that adapts to individual employee risk profiles. The platform emphasizes behavior change by targeting high-risk users and creating personalized training paths based on their susceptibility to threats.
- Key Features:
- Data-driven approach to identify and target high-risk employees.
- Personalized training modules tailored to individual risk levels.
- Integrates with existing security tools to provide comprehensive user risk analysis.
- Best For: Organizations looking to implement a behavior-based training approach that focuses on reducing risks from high-vulnerability employees while offering personalized, adaptive training.
8. NINJIO Security Awareness Training
- Overview: NINJIO offers a unique and engaging approach to security awareness training by delivering content through animated short videos based on real-world cyber incidents. Each episode is designed to be quick, informative, and memorable, helping employees retain critical security information.
- Key Features:
- Engaging, story-driven animated episodes based on real-world scenarios.
- Episodes are under five minutes, making them easy to integrate into the workday.
- Regular updates with fresh content to keep the training relevant and engaging.
- Best For: Organizations looking for a creative, engaging, and time-efficient training solution that captivates employees while delivering essential security awareness.
9. ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training
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- Overview: ESET offers a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training program that covers essential topics such as phishing, password management, and safe internet use. The platform is designed to be accessible to all employees, regardless of technical expertise.
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- Key Features:
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- Easy-to-understand training modules suitable for non-technical staff.
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- Emphasis on practical tips and real-world examples to reinforce learning.
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- Regular updates to keep content relevant to the latest threats.
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- Key Features:
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- Best For: Organizations looking for a straightforward, easy-to-implement training solution that appeals to a wide range of employees.
10. Terranova Security Awareness Training
- Overview: Terranova Security provides a comprehensive platform for security awareness training, offering a wide range of customizable content to meet the specific needs of different organizations. Their approach focuses on continuous learning, with interactive modules and phishing simulations designed to improve employee behavior over time.
- Key Features:
- Multilingual, customizable training content that covers various cybersecurity topics.
- Phishing simulations tailored to employee learning levels.
- Detailed reporting to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Best For: Organizations seeking a flexible and scalable security awareness program that provides continuous training and behavior improvement for diverse teams.
Investing in security awareness training programs is not optional in today’s threat landscape; it’s a necessity. By choosing the right training program, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of successful cyberattacks and foster a culture of security awareness among their employees. Whether your focus is on phishing prevention, compliance, or creating a security-first mindset, the programs listed above offer a wide range of options to meet your needs. Empower your employees with the knowledge and tools they need to become your organization’s first line of defense against cyber threats.
Additionally, if your organization would like to go beyond basic security awareness training, our phishing assessment services go beyond traditional training by providing a comprehensive and realistic evaluation of your organization’s defenses against phishing threats. Integrated into our Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) offering, our phishing simulations are designed to replicate actual phishing tactics, ensuring your team is prepared for real-world scenarios. Unlike simple training exercises, our assessments validate exposed credentials and explore the potential impact on your systems, helping to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, and to give your organization an idea of what would happen if a threat actor got his hands on those credentials.


