Top 11 Essential Security Awareness Training Topics of 2024

In 2024, businesses face an increasingly complex landscape of cyber threats, making it essential to prioritize cyber security awareness topics for employees. The Top 11 Essential Security Awareness Training Topics of 2024 provide a comprehensive framework to address the most pressing information security awareness topics, from phishing attacks to social engineering and cloud security. As cybercriminals evolve their tactics, it’s significant for businesses to stay ahead by educating their workforce on these IT security topics. Effective training on computer security topics can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

In 2023, cybercrime resulted in $10.3 billion in losses, up from $6.9 billion in 2021, highlighting the financial impact of inadequate security measures.

A 2024 report revealed that 31% of organizations experienced network outages or downtime due to cyber incidents, with 27% facing business disruptions or shutdowns, underscoring the operational risks associated with insufficient cybersecurity training.

In 2023, Capital One suffered a data breach affecting approximately 100 million customers, leading to lawsuits and a decline in customer growth, illustrating how reputational damage can translate into long-term financial losses and highlighting the fragility of critical IT infrastructures.

These examples underscore the critical importance of comprehensive and effective Cybersecurity Awareness Training to protect organizations from multifaceted cyber threats.

This blog post provides a detailed exploration of these key security awareness topics, offering actionable insights to help your organization tackle cybersecurity challenges and stay ahead of evolving threats.

What are the 11 Essential Security Awareness Topics in 2024

In 2024, addressing cyber threats effectively requires a focus on 11 interconnected security awareness topics. Phishing attacks and social engineering continue to exploit human vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for strong passwords and authentication practices, including multi-factor authentication. As more people rely on smartphones and online storage, mobile device security and cloud security have become critical cyber security training topics for protecting sensitive data.

The shift to remote work and frequent use of public Wi-Fi networks introduce additional risks, making secure practices essential in these environments. Safe internet and email use, which are key computer security topics, are vital to prevent malware infections and data breaches.

Proper social media use helps avoid accidental information leaks, while careful management of removable media is important to preventing unauthorized data access.

We will delve into the details of each of these security awareness topics, highlighting what is the most important security awareness training topics to ensure you're fully equipped to stay secure in the digital age.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are a critical focus in security awareness training for your employees in 2024 because they are among the most common and effective methods cybercriminals use to breach organizations. These attacks trick employees into revealing sensitive information like passwords or financial data through fake emails, messages, or websites.

As phishing techniques become more sophisticated, even cautious employees can be targeted, making it essential to educate everyone on how to spot these threats. Phishing can also occur through text messages, social media, and phone calls, expanding the potential for attacks.

Training your employees to recognize suspicious communications and avoid clicking on dangerous links is important for protecting your organization’s data.

Regular practice with simulated phishing tests reinforces these skills, ensuring your team remains alert. The potential damage from a successful phishing attack makes this one of the most important security awareness training topics in any program.

By prioritizing phishing awareness, you significantly reduce the risk of a breach in 2024, making it a key component of your overall strategy for addressing cyber security topics.

Removable media

In your 2024 security awareness training for employees, emphasizing the safe use of removable media such as USB drives and external hard drives is a key priority. These devices can easily be lost or stolen, risking data breaches if they contain sensitive information.

Additionally, they are a common source of malware that can compromise your organization’s network. Training employees to encrypt data and avoid using untrusted sources is essential for safeguarding your data.

Monitoring and controlling the use of removable media helps prevent unauthorized access and data loss. Regularly updating and reinforcing policies ensures employees understand the associated risks and adhere to best practices.

Highlighting this topic in your security awareness program is key to protecting your organization in 2024, making it one of the essential cyber security training topics for maintaining strong defenses against cyber security risks.

Passwords and Authentication

Passwords and authentication are key parts of security awareness training in 2024, acting as the first defense against unauthorized access to systems and data. Weak or reused passwords make it easier for cybercriminals to break into accounts, highlighting the importance of these cyber security topics.

To boost security, employees need to learn how to create strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess and to use multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA adds another layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, like a fingerprint or a one-time code, in addition to the password.

With cyberattacks becoming more advanced, just relying on passwords isn’t enough. Employees should understand why using MFA and regularly updating their passwords is important to reduce the risk of breaches. Training should also make clear the dangers of sharing passwords or using the same one for different accounts, making it one of the most critical cyber security training topics.

By focusing on passwords and authentication in your security training, you help ensure employees can better protect both personal and company data in 2024. These information security awareness topics are essential for building strong defenses against potential threats.

Physical security

In 2024, enhancing your organization's cybersecurity relies heavily on strong physical security protocols, which are a critical part of cyber security awareness topics. While digital threats are oftenat the top of mind, physical breaches—such as unauthorized access to offices or theft of devices—can lead to serious cybersecurity issues.

Employees need to prioritize securing their physical environments by locking doors, safeguarding sensitive documents, and keeping devices under close watch. Properly utilizing access controls like keycards or biometric scanners is key to keeping unauthorized individuals out.

Training should focus on the importance of preventing tailgating, where unauthorized people follow employees into secure areas, and stress the need to report any suspicious behavior immediately. Furthermore, the training should cover the risks associated with the use of removable media, such as USB drives, which can introduce malware if not properly managed. Employees should also be reminded of the importance of securing unattended computers by locking them when not in use and adhering to a clean desk policy to ensure that sensitive documents and information are not left exposed.

Additionally, safely handling sensitive materials, like properly destroying documents and clearing data from old devices, is important to prevent data leaks. By integrating physical security into your overall cybersecurity strategy, you ensure that employees understand how closely these security topics are connected and how to protect both digital and physical assets.

This approach underscores the importance of information security awareness topics in creating a comprehensive defense against both physical and digital threats.

Mobile Device Security

Mobile device security is a critical aspect of your organization's security awareness training, given the increasing reliance on smartphones and tablets for work. These devices often contain sensitive information and access to corporate networks, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

As part of your cyber security training topics, employees need to be aware of the risks associated with using mobile devices, including the potential for theft, loss, or unauthorized access. Implementing strong passwords, biometric locks, and encryption on mobile devices is essential to protect data.

Training should also emphasize the importance of keeping software and apps updated to protect against vulnerabilities, which is a key component of IT security topics. Employees should be cautious when downloading apps, only use trusted sources, and avoid public Wi-Fi networks without a secure VPN.

Additionally, employees should enable remote deleting to remove all data if their device is lost or stolen, aligning with computer security topics. By focusing on mobile device security in your training, you help ensure that employees understand how to protect their devices and the sensitive information they carry, reducing the risk of a security breach in 2024. These security awareness topics for employees are important in building a robust defense against modern cyber threats.

Working Remotely

In 2024, with remote work becoming more common, securing remote work environments is a significant part of your organization’s security awareness training. Employees working from home or other off-site locations face unique cyber security challenges, such as unsecured Wi-Fi networks, physical access to devices by unauthorized individuals, and the use of personal devices for work.

To address these risks, it’s important to train employees on using secure connections like VPNs and ensuring their home networks have strong passwords, which are important cyber security topics.

In addition to securing their networks, employees must also understand the importance of locking their devices when not in use and keeping sensitive documents out of sight to prevent unauthorized access. Regular software and operating system updates are necessary to close potential security gaps and protect against vulnerabilities, which are key IT security topics.

Strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication for work-related accounts further enhance security. Staying alert against phishing scams and other social engineering tactics is also important, as remote workers can be prime targets for these attacks. By focusing on these key security awareness topics for employees in your training, you help them maintain a secure work environment, no matter where they are located.

Public Wi-Fi

In 2024, using public Wi-Fi networks is a significant cyber security concern that should be a key focus in your organization’s security awareness training. Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in cafes, airports, and other public places, are typically unsecured and can be a hotspot for cybercriminals to steal data.

Employees need to understand the risks associated with connecting to these networks, including the potential for hackers to access sensitive information like login credentials and personal data. Training should emphasize the importance of avoiding tasks involving sensitive information, such as online banking or accessing company systems, while on public Wi-Fi.

Encouraging the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is key, as VPNs encrypt internet traffic and help protect data from being stolen. Employees should also be aware of fake Wi-Fi networks, or "evil twins," which are set up by attackers to mimic legitimate public Wi-Fi networks and trick users into connecting.

Educating employees on the risks and best practices for using public Wi-Fi is important for covering essential cyber security training topics and information security awareness topics. By making public Wi-Fi security a priority, you ensure that employees can safely connect to the Internet when they are on the go, addressing one of the critical IT security topics.

Cloud Security

As cloud services become increasingly integral to business operations in 2024, securing these platforms is a key component of your organization’s security awareness training. Employees need to understand that while the cloud offers convenience, it also introduces new cyber security risks, such as unauthorized access and data breaches. Training should emphasize the importance of using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect cloud accounts, covering essential cyber security awareness topics.

It’s also important for employees to recognize the risks of sharing sensitive information through cloud platforms and to follow company policies on data storage and sharing, which are critical information security awareness topics.

Employees should be aware of the potential for misconfigurations in cloud services, which can expose data to unauthorized users, highlighting the importance of these IT security topics.

Regularly updating and patching cloud-based applications is important to prevent vulnerabilities. By focusing on cloud security in your training, you ensure that employees understand how to use cloud services safely and protect the organization’s data, addressing significant cyber security training topics.

Social Media Use

In 2024, responsible social media use is an important cyber security awareness topic in your organization’s security awareness training, as employees' online activities can impact your company’s security. Social media platforms are often targeted by cybercriminals looking to gather personal or corporate information that can be exploited for attacks, making this a critical cyber security topic.

Employees need to understand the risks of oversharing personal details or work-related information, which can be used for phishing or social engineering schemes. Training should emphasize the importance of privacy settings and the need to think carefully before posting or sharing content online, addressing important social media sharing principles. Also, employees should be aware of responsible social media practices, such as avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information and being cautious about the connections they make online, reinforcing these essential IT security topics.

Additionally, employees should be aware of the risks posed by connecting with unknown individuals or accepting unsolicited messages, as these can be entry points for attacks.

Highlighting the potential consequences of social media misuse, such as data breaches or damage to the organization’s reputation, reinforces the importance of cautious online behavior.

By fostering a culture of awareness around social media use, you help ensure that employees contribute to the security and integrity of the organization, making this one of the most important security awareness training topics.

Check out the video below, where Keepnet uncovers a real-life LinkedIn scam, demonstrating the tactics used in a sophisticated social media attack.

Internet and Email Use

In 2024, educating employees about safe internet and email practices is important, as these are often the primary gateways for cyberattacks, making them essential cyber security topics. Employees need to be aware of the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, which can lead to malware infections or phishing scams—key information security awareness topics.

Training should emphasize the importance of verifying the legitimacy of emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or urgent action, which are vital security awareness topics.

Additionally, employees should be encouraged to practice good digital citizenship by recognizing and reporting suspicious emails to prevent potential security breaches, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity awareness topics. Proper internet use also involves being mindful of the websites they visit, avoiding untrusted sites that could host malicious software—an essential aspect of IT security topics and responsible online behavior.

It’s essential to educate employees about the risks of using work devices for personal browsing, which can expose the organization to additional threats, making this a key focus in computer security topics. By promoting best practices for internet and email use, you help safeguard your organization from a wide range of cyber threats and ensure a more secure online environment, reinforcing the importance of these security awareness topics for employees.

Social Engineering

In 2024, safeguarding your organization against social engineering attacks requires focused security awareness training, as these tactics exploit human psychology to breach defenses, making them critical cyber security topics.

Cybercriminals use methods like phishing emails, fake phone calls, and impersonation to trick employees into revealing sensitive information, highlighting the importance of these cyber security awareness topics. Training should teach employees to recognize these techniques and verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive data, even if they seem legitimate—key security awareness topics for employees.

Emphasizing the risks of oversharing personal or work-related details can help reduce the likelihood of successful attacks, reinforcing essential information security awareness topics. Employees should be encouraged to trust their instincts and report any suspicious interactions immediately, which is vital in addressing IT security topics.

By equipping employees with the tools to identify and respond to social engineering, you significantly enhance your organization’s security, making this one of the most important security awareness training topics in 2024.

Watch the video below, where Keepnet shows a real-life example of a sophisticated social engineering scam.

Launch effective Security Awareness Training to your employees.

Launching an effective Security Awareness Training program is important for protecting your organization from cyber threats. Keepnet Security Awareness Training is an ideal solution, covering the top security topics for 2024. With comprehensive, up-to-date modules, Keepnet prepares your employees to recognize and respond to cyber risks like phishing, malware, and social engineering. Its behavior-based training includes realistic phishing simulations, helping employees learn from mistakes and prevent future security breaches.

Keepnet's key features make it particularly effective:

• Comprehensive Content Selection: Access over 2,000 training modules from 12+ content providers, covering the top 2024 security awareness topics and more.
• Behavior-Based Training: Phishing simulators (Vishing, Smishing, Quishing, Callback Phishing, MFA) allow employees to learn in real time based on their responses to simulated attacks.
• Personalized Learning and Gamification: Engage employees with interactive elements like leaderboards and custom certificates to make training memorable.
• SMS Training Delivery: Deliver training directly to mobile devices, ensuring all employees, even those without regular email access, stay protected.
• Advanced Reporting: Track progress with detailed reports to address any gaps in cybersecurity knowledge.
• Regulatory and Role-Based Training: Ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR with tailored training for different roles.
• Custom Content Creation: Create and upload custom training materials to address specific organizational needs.

Keepnet Security Awareness Training builds a strong security culture by covering critical topics, enhancing cyber defenses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and empowering employees to protect sensitive data.

Explore the video below to see how Keepnet Security Awareness Training can strengthen your organization's security and equip your team to tackle cyber threats with confidence.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on December 11, 2024.