How Security Awareness Training Reduces the Risk of Data Breaches and Security Incidents

Cybersecurity failures often stem from human error, not just technology. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average data breach now costs $4.88 million.

From falling for phishing scams to mishandling sensitive information, employees remain a primary target for cybercriminals using phishing, social engineering, and insider threats. With human error now the top cybersecurity risk for CISOs, organizations must take action.

This blog explores how Security Awareness Training helps mitigate these risks by equipping employees with the knowledge to recognize threats, reduce human error, and prevent costly breaches.

The Human Factor in Data Breaches and Incidents

Cybercriminals don’t always break into systems—they often trick people into giving them access. Instead of relying solely on technical exploits, attackers manipulate human behavior through phishing emails, deceptive messages, and fraudulent requests.

Recent cases reveal how easily this happens:

• Toll Road Smishing Scams – Attackers have been impersonating toll agencies in fraudulent text messages, warning recipients of overdue balances and prompting them to click malicious links. These scams are designed to steal personal and financial information, putting victims at risk of identity theft and financial fraud. (AP News)
• Apple iOS Passwords App Vulnerability – A security flaw in Apple’s iOS 18.2 Passwords app left users exposed to phishing attacks for 3 months. The app sent unencrypted network requests, allowing hackers on the same Wi-Fi network to redirect users to fake websites and steal their credentials. This vulnerability demonstrated how even trusted security tools can be exploited if users are unaware of the risks. (The Verge)

These incidents reveal how cybercriminals exploit everyday situations—from routine text messages to trusted security apps—to steal sensitive information. Even well-intentioned users can fall victim if they’re unaware of these tactics.

Key Threats Mitigated by Security Awareness Training

A well-informed workforce is a strong line of defense against cyber threats. Security Awareness Training helps employees recognize and respond to some of the most common attack methods, significantly reducing security incidents.

Let’s break down how training protects against phishing, social engineering, and insider threats.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing remains one of the most frequent and damaging cyber threats. Attackers use deceptive emails, fake login pages, and malicious links to trick employees into revealing credentials, downloading malware, or making fraudulent payments.

A typical phishing attack involves a spoofed email that appears to be from a trusted source—such as a bank, vendor, or company executive—urging the recipient to reset a password or authorize a transaction. Employees who aren’t trained to recognize phishing red flags may unknowingly hand over sensitive information.

Security Awareness Training reduces this risk by:

• Teaching employees to identify warning signs like misspelled domains, urgent language, unusual sender addresses, and suspicious links.
• Running phishing simulations to test and improve employees' ability to spot fraudulent emails. Check out Keepnet Phishing Simulator to create realistic phishing scenarios, measure employee responses, and strengthen your organization’s defenses.
• Reinforcing the habit of double-checking email requests before clicking links or downloading attachments.

Organizations that invest in Security Awareness Training see phishing click rates drop significantly, reducing successful cyber attacks. Regular training and phishing simulations strengthen employees’ ability to detect threats, creating a more resilient security culture.

Social Engineering and Pretexting

Cybercriminals use phone calls, text messages, and even deepfake video calls to manipulate employees into revealing sensitive information. Social engineering preys on trust and urgency, making it a major security threat.

Common Social Engineering Tactics

Cybercriminals use a variety of deceptive techniques to manipulate employees into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access. Some of the most common tactics include:

• Vishing (Voice Phishing): Attackers impersonate IT staff or executives over the phone to steal credentials.
• Smishing (SMS Phishing): Fraudulent text messages trick employees into clicking malicious links.
• Pretexting: Criminals pose as trusted individuals—such as vendors or executives—to gain access to systems or data.

A recent example is the 2024 Arup deepfake fraud, where attackers used AI-generated voices and video to impersonate executives in a fake video call. An employee, believing the request was legitimate, transferred HK$200 million (£20 million) to scammers. (Source)

How Security Awareness Training Helps

Effective Security Awareness Training equips employees with the skills to identify and respond to social engineering threats. Key benefits include:

• Ensuring identity verification before granting access or approving transactions.
• Reinforcing security protocols for confirming requests through official channels.
• Developing a security-first mindset to recognize and resist high-pressure tactics.

By strengthening employees' ability to detect and challenge deceptive requests, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to social engineering attacks.

Insider Threats

Not all threats come from outside—insider threats pose a serious risk. These can be:

• Malicious insiders: Employees or contractors who intentionally steal data or misuse access.
• Accidental insiders: Well-meaning employees who cause security breaches through negligence.

Security Awareness Training helps prevent insider threats by:

• Teaching proper data handling and encryption to reduce human error.
• Reinforcing ethical guidelines to deter malicious actions.
• Encouraging a "See Something, Say Something" culture for early threat detection.

New hires are especially vulnerable—Keepnet research shows they are 44% more likely to fall for phishing or social engineering in their first 90 days. Onboarding security training is essential to minimize risks from day one.

The Impact: How Awareness Training Reduces Risk

Security Awareness Training has a measurable impact on reducing security incidents:

• Lower phishing click rates – Companies that implement ongoing training see click rates drop from 32% to just 5% within a year. (Source)
• Fewer security incidents – Organizations report up to 80% fewer successful phishing attacks after implementing awareness programs. (Souce)
• Cost savings – Preventing just one breach can save millions of dollars in recovery costs, legal fees, and reputational damage.

Security Awareness Training empowers employees to recognize threats and take action, significantly reducing an organization's risk exposure.

Best Practices for an Effective Security Awareness Program

An effective Security Awareness Training program should be continuous, engaging, and role-based. Keepnet’s adaptive training helps organizations build a security-first culture with these best practices:

Secure Executive Support & Set Clear Goals

Leadership must prioritize security training. Set measurable goals, such as reducing phishing click rates by 50% or increasing incident reporting. Executive buy-in ensures security awareness becomes part of the company’s culture, not just a compliance requirement. When leaders actively promote security, employees are more likely to engage and adopt safer behaviors.

Read more on the importance of executive support in security culture in the Keepnet article: Where Does Security Culture Stand for Executives?

Identify Knowledge Gaps

Run phishing simulations and security assessments to pinpoint employee weaknesses and customize training accordingly. Keepnet Phishing Simulator identifies high-risk users, tracks phishing click rates, and provides targeted training to strengthen defenses.

Customize Training for Different Roles

A one-size-fits-all approach to security training is ineffective. Different teams face different threats—finance teams need CEO fraud prevention, while IT teams focus on secure coding and system protection. Keepnet’s role-based, adaptive training ensures employees receive targeted, relevant content in 36+ languages.

For more details, read the Keepnet blog: What is Role-Based Security Awareness Training, and How Can It Be Customized and Adapted?

Make Training Engaging & Ongoing

Replace static presentations with interactive modules, quizzes, phishing simulations, and gamification to keep employees engaged and reinforce learning year-round. Keepnet Security Awareness Training incorporates gamification elements like points, rewards, and leaderboards to boost participation and retention.

Integrate Security into Daily Workflows

Make security awareness part of everyday operations by incorporating it into onboarding, regular email updates, and team meetings. Consistent reinforcement keeps security top-of-mind and encourages employees to adopt safer behaviors.

Encourage a Blame-Free Culture

Create an environment where employees feel safe reporting security mistakes without fear of punishment. Coaching and positive reinforcement help prevent repeat incidents and encourage proactive security behavior.

For more insights, read the Keepnet article: Building a Security-Conscious Corporate Culture: A Roadmap for Success

Track, Measure & Improve Continuously

Monitor training completion, phishing test results, and security incident reports to refine and evolve the program. Keepnet’s adaptive training adjusts based on employee behavior.

Why Security Awareness Training Is Essential

Human error is a leading cause of data breaches, making Security Awareness Training critical. Technology alone can't stop phishing, social engineering, or insider threats—but trained employees can.

With effective training, employees:

• Identify phishing attempts instead of falling for them.
• Question suspicious requests before acting.
• Follow security best practices, reducing breach risks.

Security awareness isn’t a one-time event—it’s a cultural shift. When employees actively engage in cybersecurity, they become the first line of defense, strengthening the organization’s overall security posture.

Check out Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform to measure, track, and improve employee security behavior effectively.