Security Awareness Training for Executives

Executives are prime targets for cyberattacks. According to 2024 GetApp research, 72% of executives are targeted by hackers. Their access to sensitive information and their role in decision-making makes them high-value targets for hackers. Security awareness training tailored to executives is not just a best practice but a necessity.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the unique security challenges executives face, the reasons they are frequently targeted, and how to create impactful training programs, complete with a detailed training matrix.

Who Are Executives in a Business?

Executives are individuals in leadership roles responsible for strategic decisions and organizational direction. Key executive roles typically include:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Oversees the entire organization.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Manages financial strategy and operations.
• Chief Information Officer (CIO): Handles technology and information systems.
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): Ensures operational efficiency.
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Drives marketing and brand strategy.
• Board Members: Provide governance and strategic oversight.
• Directors: Directors oversee specific business functions and ensure alignment with company goals.

Executives often have unparalleled access to confidential data, including financial records, intellectual property, and strategic plans, which makes their accounts highly attractive to cybercriminals.

Executives are also exceptionally busy individuals. They need security training that is concise, actionable, and delivered in formats that respect their time constraints. Short training sessions, typically lasting no more than 90 seconds, along with real-world examples, infographics, and nudges, can make a significant impact without disrupting their schedules.

Why Are Executives Targeted by Hackers?

1. Access to High-Value Data: Executives have access to sensitive information that can be monetized or weaponized.
2. Insufficient Technical Training: Many executives lack technical expertise, making them vulnerable to sophisticated attacks.
3. Social Engineering Opportunities: Executives often interact with external stakeholders, increasing exposure to phishing, vishing, and smishing attacks.
4. Impersonation Potential: Cybercriminals can exploit executives' identities for business email compromise (BEC) or CEO fraud scams.
5. Remote Work Risks: Executives working remotely may use unsecured networks, increasing the likelihood of data breaches.

Hackers also know that executives’ time is limited, which can lead to rushed decisions or less scrutiny of communications, increasing the likelihood of successful attacks.

Watch the video below to see how a CEO was scammed, leading to a significant financial loss, and learn how to prevent such incidents in your organization.

Notable Cyberattack Statistics Targeting Executives

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting senior executives due to their access to sensitive information and authority within organizations. Notable statistics highlighting this trend include:

• Rising Attack Rates: A 2024 survey found that 72% of senior executives in the U.S. were targeted by cyberattacks within the past 18 months.
• Phishing Susceptibility: Of the C-suite executives who experienced security breaches, 21.7% attributed them to phishing attacks, emphasizing the effectiveness of such tactics against top leadership.
• Deepfake Threats: The use of AI-generated deepfakes in cyberattacks is on the rise, with 27% of recent incidents targeting executives involving deepfake technology.
• Personal Device Vulnerabilities: Research shows that 87% of executives lack security measures on their personal devices, and 76% of these devices actively leak sensitive data.
• Escalating Attack Trends: 69% of organizations with previously targeted senior executives report an increase in cyberattacks against leadership.
• Lack of Executive Cybersecurity Training: Despite growing threats, 37% of companies worldwide do not provide additional cybersecurity training for their senior executives.

These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and targeted training to protect high-profile individuals within organizations.

What are the Challenges of Training Executives?

Training executives pose unique challenges due to their demanding schedules, high-pressure responsibilities, and specific organizational roles. Key challenges include:

1. Time Constraints

Executives operate under tight schedules, making it difficult to allocate time for comprehensive training sessions. Finding ways to incorporate bite-sized, high-impact training that fits into their daily routines is essential.

2. Perceived Exemption

Due to their seniority, executives may believe they are exempt from participating in training programs or phishing simulations. This perception can create vulnerabilities within the organization, as leadership buy-in is crucial for fostering a security-conscious culture.

3. Fear of Embarrassment

Executives may avoid engaging in training activities due to concerns about failure and its impact on their professional image. A discreet and supportive approach that emphasizes growth rather than failure can help mitigate this concern.

4. Complex Training Needs

Unlike other employees, executives require highly tailored security awareness training content that addresses advanced threats, regulatory compliance, and industry-specific risks. Training programs must be customized to align with their strategic decision-making roles.

If businesses continue to rely on outdated executive security training models, they risk leaving their most critical assets exposed. It’s time to adopt a bold, targeted, and practical approach that meets executives where they are—ensuring security awareness becomes second nature, not an afterthought.

Why are Executives Often Excluded from Security Awareness Training Programs?

Many organizations hesitate to include executives in phishing simulations or security awareness programs for these reasons:

• Potential for Backlash: Simulations targeting executives might cause frustration or damage trust if not handled sensitively.
• Reputational Risk: An executive’s failure in a simulation could reflect poorly on leadership.
• Resource Allocation: Organizations may prioritize broader employee training due to limited resources.

Strategies for Overcoming Challenges in Executive Security Awareness Training

Executives need cybersecurity training designed to fit their busy schedules and unique responsibilities. The focus should be on addressing advanced threats and providing practical solutions that are easy to apply in their daily work.

1. Tailored Content: Create executive-specific modules focusing on advanced threats like CEO fraud and ransomware.
2. Concise Delivery: Offer microlearning sessions that respect their time, lasting no more than 90 seconds.
3. Use Real-World Examples: Illustrate training with anonymized incidents that resonate with their responsibilities.
4. Positive Framing: Highlight training as an enabler of leadership success, not a test.
5. Phased Inclusion: Gradually involve executives in simulations with prior communication and coaching.
6. Leverage Nudges: Use AI-driven tools to deliver timely, context-specific reminders and insights.
7. Ensure Privacy and Trust: Use anonymized data and personalized settings in training programs to safeguard executives' privacy and address concerns about reputational risks.

Executive Security Awareness Training Program

This is an example of how to structure security awareness training program tailored for executives. It categorizes the training topics based on specific risks and compliance needs, providing a clear framework for addressing the unique challenges faced by leaders in an organization.

Table 1: Executive Security Awareness Training Framework

How Keepnet Tailors Security Awareness Training for Executives

Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Solution is uniquely designed to meet the needs of busy executives while overcoming the challenges of training senior leaders. Here’s how Keepnet aligns with executive requirements:

• Tailored and Concise Training: Keepnet provides executive-specific microlearning modules that address high-risk areas like phishing, CEO fraud, and deepfake AI. Sessions are short, typically under 90 seconds, respecting executives’ time.
• Real-World Phishing Simulations: Keepnet’s phishing simulations mimic sophisticated, real-world attacks that executives are likely to encounter, providing a safe yet impactful learning experience.
• Outcome-Driven Reporting: Keepnet delivers detailed, actionable insights through executive-focused reporting dashboards. These outcomes help track progress and demonstrate the effectiveness of training.
• Gamification for Engagement: Interactive elements like quizzes and games make learning engaging, ensuring executives stay motivated while mastering essential security skills.
• Nudging Technology: Keepnet uses AI-powered nudges to provide timely reminders and practical tips, reinforcing secure behaviors in real time without disrupting workflows.
• Privacy and Reputation Protection: Keepnet’s platform ensures privacy by anonymizing data during phishing simulations and using personalized settings, addressing executives’ concerns about reputation and confidentiality.

Lessons from Nautilus

Nautilus, a maritime professionals trade union, faced recurring ransomware threats, exacerbated by a long-tenured workforce with varying levels of IT proficiency. The shift to remote work during the pandemic made it clear that leadership involvement was important in setting the tone for a security-conscious culture.

By implementing Keepnet’s security awareness training, Nautilus achieved:

• A 97% faster employee response rate to cyber threats, largely influenced by executive buy-in and leadership-driven awareness campaigns.
• A 75% reduction in clicks on malicious links, as executives led by example and prioritized security best practices.
• A cultural shift that transformed cybersecurity from an IT issue into a leadership priority, fostering a proactive security mindset across the entire organization.

Initially, some employees were resistant to phishing simulations, feeling “tricked” or embarrassed by their results. However, through continuous communication and a supportive training approach, they understood that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Leadership engagement ultimately played a key role in improving overall employee confidence and vigilance.

Watch the video below to see how Keepnet empowered Nautilus’s leadership to combat ransomware attacks and build a security-first culture across the organization.

Customer Success Story – Nautilus

Conclusion

Executives play a critical role in an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Tailored security awareness training not only protects them from sophisticated threats but also empowers them to lead by example, fostering a culture of security across the business. By delivering concise, actionable training through microlearning, real-world examples, nudges, and visual aids—all powered by Keepnet—businesses can ensure their leaders are well-equipped to combat evolving cyber risks.

Read Security Behavior and Culture Template to create your own security culture program empowering your workforce.

Also get free phishing awareness training courses to empower your executives against cyber attacks