Phishing simulation templates are a particular highlight amongst users<\/td> Reporting features have mixed reviews<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Infosec IQ\u2019s security awareness training has three tiers: Standard, Enterprise, and InfoSec IQ + Skills (for security, IT, and dev teams). Prices on these three tiers are not publicly available, so interested organizations will need to fill out a form on Infosec IQ\u2019s website to receive pricing details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nPhishing templates:<\/strong> New ones are added weekly based on new threat data.<\/li>\n\n\n\nPhishing simulator:<\/strong> Infosec provides instant feedback when a user takes unsafe actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBrief training videos:<\/strong> Videos are designed for improved employee learning retention.<\/li>\n\n\n\nSingle sign-on integrations:<\/strong> Supported products include Active Directory and Okta.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCustomizable reporting:<\/strong> Dashboards can be filtered by department and learning group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Key Features of Cybersecurity Training Products<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe vendors in the cybersecurity field offer a variety of products \u2014 some are solely focused on user education, while others are developers of security tools that have expanded into the training arena. Even if your team isn’t sure what kind of product you need, look for core features like phishing simulations, customizability, reports and dashboards, and support for multiple languages in every product you consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Range of Phishing Simulations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A cybersecurity training suite should have multiple phishing simulations so employees can easily recognize typical attacks. Phishing is one of the biggest dangers that good cybersecurity training can delay or stop entirely, and if a service doesn’t prioritize phishing as a central concern, it might not be worth purchasing. It’s also wise to train employees on smishing and vishing techniques so they recognize potential attacks in text or video; email isn’t the only attack surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customizability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Your IT and security admins should be able to customize components of the training, like phishing simulations, to best fit your business. For example, if you’re a healthcare provider, the attacks you commonly see might look different than a bank’s phishing attempts. You should be able to customize based on the attacks your team is most likely to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you don’t have clear reporting tools, both your IT team and your executives will have trouble knowing your team’s progress. Make sure the products you’re considering offer ways to logically show your employees’ improvement, as well as the areas where they need to learn and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Support for Multiple Languages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you have a multilingual or global team, you’ll need team members to truly understand cybersecurity best practices, and the best way to do that is to train them in their native language. If you have a team based in multiple countries, look for products that support every major language represented in your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How to Choose a Cybersecurity Training Product<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your business is considering purchasing a security awareness training product, look at each solution’s main features, ease of management, pricing, support, and other products, plus the amount of training content your team needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Review Their Core Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Before shopping for a product, create a shortlist of 3\u20135 key features your team needs for your training course. The other features should be nice to have, but every product you seriously consider should have those few core capabilities. Those might include short animated videos, a specific type of report, or quizzes after each training module. While your list shouldn’t be unattainable, make sure you’re keeping your team’s main needs front of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider Ease of Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n How is user management handled? Is it a manual process? Assess the ease of administration of whatever vendor you choose. If there are multiple systems or consoles, be sure to ask the degree of integration between those systems. It’s always best to ask as many questions as possible before committing to a product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Find out how many capabilities come with the subscription level, including what functionality is included versus required managed services and extra fees. Balancing budget with quality is always a fine line, but make sure you’re investing in a product that will last your business years, not a low-quality one that fits your budget but not a growing team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Determine Customer Support Needs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Some teams may not need detailed reporting or 24\/7 customer support, but make sure you communicate with the vendor and know your business’s expectations before making a decision. Additionally, look at existing customers’ reviews \u2014 while these don’t give the entire picture, they help your team spot potential weaknesses and gauge whether you’re willing to live with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep Integrations in Mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n While your business may only be looking for a training product, it could be beneficial if the training solution integrates with your existing security solutions. Some vendors, like Proofpoint, offer multiple security products. Others, like KnowBe4, offer only awareness training. Decide whether you want your cybersecurity training to integrate with other security products in your infrastructure before making a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know Your Content Expectations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Look at the volume and quality of training content provided for each product. How important is it to your organization to have an ongoing campaign with fresh content? A small training library means stale and infrequent training. And content needs to be engaging, so try it yourself to get a feel for the vendor\u2019s approach. Consider asking multiple employees what they consider engaging in training courses. You’ll get a more comprehensive picture if you poll more team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Do We Need to Train Our Employees?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Employees, including individual contributors, are one of the weakest links in enterprise cybersecurity. They’re susceptible to malicious links in emails, spoofed phone calls, and unsecured websites. Some of those scenarios happen because employees have never been taught to spot fakes and because recent cyberattack tactics can be highly sophisticated. A simple employee mistake could cost your business thousands or millions of dollars. When done consistently and engagingly, cybersecurity training reduces these risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should Cybersecurity Training Include?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A thorough training program should include comprehensive coverage of common phishing trends, including email, text, and phone phishing. But make sure you also cover strong password policies and password protection, for example. What are a few basic security health items that your team can cover? It’s also important to have individual discussions with both new and tenured employees about those items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Can You Promote Cybersecurity Awareness in the Workplace?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Developing a security culture in your organization won’t just happen by assigning training videos to your employees. Your leaders have to promote open communication too. Talk with your team regularly, making sure frank conversations about security are commonplace. The more your employees expect these discussions, the less likely they’ll be to blatantly break your business’s security restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Bottom Line: Choosing the Best Employee Cybersecurity Training Service<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOver the past decade, training products have increased in both number and sophistication, helping businesses keep a single phishing email or malicious link from turning into a crippling cyberattack. As you’re looking for a solution, create a short list of a few products that seem like a potential fit. Then take advantage of demos and free trials so you have a better idea of what employees’ experience will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you have the right training solutions for your organization, it\u2019s also important to start training employees immediately. On the first day a new employee starts with your business, they’re susceptible to phishing attacks and attempted credential theft. By implementing cybersecurity training for your employees early and often, you\u2019re better able to protect your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While training and technology are great tools, they’re not enough to protect your team on their own. Read more about the importance of a business cybersecurity culture<\/a> next. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n