2024 Security Awareness Training Statistics

What are the most recent phishing awareness training statistics in 2024? This blog post will delve into the most recent statistics on phishing awareness training. These insights will be invaluable as you strategize the content for your organization's cyber security awareness training program.

In 2024, inadequate security awareness training has been linked to significant cybersecurity risks, as evidenced by the following impacts:

Cybercrime costs are predicted to reach $9.5 trillion USD in 2024, underscoring the financial burden of insufficient cybersecurity measures.

In July 2024, a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike led to a global IT outage, causing approximately 8.5 million Windows systems to crash and resulting in widespread operational disruptions across various industries.

In November 2024, law firm Thompson Coburn and its client Presbyterian Healthcare Services faced a lawsuit alleging failure to protect personal and health information, leading to a data breach that damaged their reputations.

These incidents highlight the critical importance of comprehensive security awareness training to mitigate financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational harm.

Let's explore some key statistics highlighting the importance of security awareness training for your business.

The Human Factor: A Major Contributor to Data Breaches

82% of data breaches have been linked to human-related security weaknesses, according to Verizon's 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report. This often involves employees succumbing to phishing attacks, other forms of social engineering, and unauthorized use of employee credentials.

Dramatic Risk Reduction with Cyber Security Awareness Training

Cyber security awareness training leads to a 70% reduction in security-related risks in 2023. This fact underscores the significant impact that comprehensive training has on an organization's overall security posture.

High Return on Investment from Security Awareness Programs

Investing in cyber security awareness training transcends mere expenditure; it is a strategic investment yielding more than triple the return. With potential losses amounting to $177,708 being saved, these programs demonstrate a significant return on investment. This impressive ROI underscores the financial advantages and the crucial role these programs play in bolstering an organization's cybersecurity defenses.

Trained Users Show Greater Caution with Phishing Links

Behavioral Impact - users who have undergone phishing awareness training are 30% less likely to click on a phishing link. This reduction demonstrates the effectiveness of training in altering employee behavior towards more secure practices.

Cybersecurity Experts Advocate for a Dual Focus on Humans and Technology

93% of cybersecurity experts agree that a dual focus on human and technological aspects is essential to detect and respond to cyber threats effectively. This consensus points to integrating human-focused security awareness training with technical defenses.

Efforts to Measure the Effectiveness of Security Awareness Training Programs Often Face Challenges

While the main goal for a significant majority (84%) of these programs is to bring about measurable changes in employee behavior, less than half (43%) consistently track these behavioral shifts.

Voice Phishing and Business Losses

A significant 75% of businesses have incurred financial losses due to voice scams. This startling statistic highlights the need for increased vigilance and training in recognizing and responding to voice-based phishing attempts.

The Prevalence of SMS Phishing in Businesses

An alarming 76% of businesses report falling victim to Smishing (SMS phishing) attacks. This underscores the importance of educating employees about the risks and signs of SMS-based phishing tactics.

Compromised Accounts: A Gateway to Phishing Attacks

Once an account is compromised, it becomes 87% more likely to be targeted in phishing attacks. This fact emphasizes the critical need for robust account security measures and awareness training.

Understanding the Origin of Security Breaches

90% of security breaches originate from known threats. This statistic is a call to action for businesses to focus on training employees to recognize and respond to these familiar threats effectively.

QR Codes: A New Tool in Phishing Attacks

22% of all phishing attacks have involved using QR codes, making up 40% of these incidents. Security awareness training on this new tactic is essential today,

The Challenge of Reporting Phishing Emails

Only 3% of users report phishing emails to their management. This low reporting rate highlights a critical area for security awareness training in response processes.

Traditional Security Awareness is Dead!

Despite 70% of individuals recognizing the risks of unknown links in emails, many click on them anyway. This gap between knowledge and action points to more effective awareness training focusing on building a security culture.

Employee Vulnerability to Phishing Websites

1 in 8 employees shares information with phishing websites. This statistic reveals a significant vulnerability that can be mitigated through comprehensive and regular phishing awareness training.

Significant Reduction in Security Incidents with Regular Training

Companies that consistently engage in security awareness training experience a remarkable 70% reduction in security incidents. This statistic strongly advocates for regularly implementing security training programs within organizations.

Enhanced Phishing Awareness Through Training

Security awareness training has been shown to improve phishing awareness by an estimated 40%. This enhancement in recognizing phishing attempts is crucial in the current landscape of cyber threats.

Lack of Security Training in Many Organizations

45% of employees report receiving no security training whatsoever from their employers. This statistic highlights a significant oversight in many organizations' approach to cybersecurity.

Anti-Phishing Training: Not as Widespread as Expected

Only about half (52%) of organizations conduct anti-phishing training. The prevalence of phishing attacks points to a need for more widespread training initiatives in this area.

Ransomware-Focused Security Training: Still Not a Standard Practice

Over 30% of organizations offer ransomware-focused security training. This low percentage is concerning, considering the growing threat of ransomware attacks in the digital landscape.

Social Engineering Training: Not Yet a Common Practice

Only a quarter of companies provide their employees with training in social engineering. This form of training is crucial for helping employees recognize and respond to more subtle and manipulative cyber threats.

Basic Email Security Training: A Neglected Necessity

55% of companies need to provide even basic email security training. This lack of fundamental training leaves many employees vulnerable to common email-based threats.

Insufficient Security Awareness Training in Most Companies

62% of companies lack security awareness training to reap significant benefits. This indicates a widespread issue where the frequency or quality of training is inadequate to mitigate cyber risks effectively.

The Importance of Security Awareness Training for a Strong Security Culture

Global experts concur that establishing a robust security culture is essential for any organization aiming to minimize insider risks, stop cyberattacks, and prevent data breaches. The UK Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure highlights several key benefits of a strong security culture:

• Engaged and Responsible Workforce: Employees are more likely to engage with and take responsibility for security issues.
• Enhanced Compliance with Security Measures: There's an increase in adherence to protective security protocols.
• Lower Risk of Insider Incidents: A strong security culture significantly reduces the likelihood of incidents caused by insiders.
• Heightened Awareness of Security Threats: Employees become more aware of the most pertinent security threats.
• Security-Conscious Behavior: A culture that promotes security awareness leads to employees thinking and acting with a security-first mindset.

An educated workforce is the cornerstone of a strong security culture. Employees who are well-informed about potential threats serve as a vital defense against cybercrime. Equally important is knowing how to react to a security issue. The organization's security is enhanced when employees understand the correct action in response to a problem or mistake. In a healthy security culture, employees feel empowered and confident to contribute actively to maintaining and improving security, thanks to their understanding of security risks.

Here are five indicators of a healthy security culture:

• Positive Approach to Training: Security awareness training is never used as punishment.
• Inclusive Security Team: Every employee understands their role and value within the security team.
• Ongoing Risk Identification Training: Regular training sessions help employees identify potential risks.
• Supportive Environment for Queries: Employees are encouraged to seek help when uncertain about a security issue.
• Strict Adherence to Security Procedures: Security protocols are followed consistently, with no tolerance for non-compliance.

These elements are crucial in fostering a security culture that protects the organization and empowers its employees to be proactive and responsible in their approach to cybersecurity.

Check out our YouTube demonstration to discover how our cyber security awareness training proficiency can equip your team with the skills to identify and react to phishing threats effectively.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on November 20, 2024.