Top Nudge Examples in Cybersecurity Awareness

Traditional security training often fails because employees forget lessons when it matters most. Nudges solve this by providing timely, relevant prompts that reinforce secure behaviors in real-world situations. Instead of relying on annual security awareness training sessions, nudges act as continuous, in-the-moment reminders that seamlessly integrate into daily workflows.

In this blog, we’ll explore real-world examples of security nudges—ranging from phishing alerts to password strength prompts—that help employees make smarter security decisions effortlessly.

What is a Nudge?

A nudge is a gentle prompt that encourages individuals to make better decisions without forcing them. In cybersecurity, nudges serve as timely reminders that help employees develop secure habits—like enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) or reporting phishing emails—without disrupting their workflow.

By integrating these prompts into daily routines, organizations can reinforce proactive security behaviors, reducing human error and strengthening overall cybersecurity culture.

To learn more about Nudges and their relationship with security awareness, read our blog on What is The Nudge Theory for Security Awareness

The Importance of Timely Nudges

For nudges to be most effective, they should be delivered at the right moment, when employees are most likely to take action. For example:

• VPN Usage Alerts: Remind employees to use a VPN when connecting to public or unsecured networks.
• Holiday Security Tips: Share phishing awareness and device protection tips before employees head on holiday or business trips.
• Remote Work Prompts: Send reminders to secure devices and use encrypted channels when working outside the office.

Timely delivery ensures nudges are relevant and actionable, seamlessly integrating secure habits into daily routines.

Top Nudge Examples to Build a Secure-Conscious Organization

To effectively reinforce secure behaviors, organizations need targeted nudges that address specific risks employees encounter daily. From AI threats and remote work vulnerabilities to phishing awareness and strong password practices, well-placed nudges help employees make safer decisions in critical moments.

Below, we explore practical security nudges that organizations can implement to reduce risk and build a workforce that is alert, proactive, and security-conscious.

1. Addressing the Risks of AI and Chatbots

As AI-powered tools become more common in the workplace, cybercriminals are exploiting them to manipulate users into revealing sensitive data. This nudge alerts employees about the risks of interacting with unverified AI tools or chatbots, especially those requesting confidential information.

Example Nudge: "Before sharing sensitive data, verify the tool's legitimacy. Avoid entering company credentials into AI systems unless approved."

Why It’s Important: Attackers are leveraging AI-powered tools to manipulate users. This nudge helps employees pause and think critically.

2. Remote Work Risk Awareness

With more employees working remotely, cyber risks increase, as home networks and public Wi-Fi often lack proper security controls. This nudge reminds employees to follow essential security practices, such as using secure Wi-Fi, locking screens, and encrypting communications while working outside the office.

Example Nudge: "Working remotely? Ensure your Wi-Fi is password-protected and avoid using public networks without a VPN."

Why It’s Important: Remote work environments often lack security controls, making employees more vulnerable to threats.

To dive deeper into securing remote work environments, check out our blog on How Can You Ensure Remote Work Security for Your Team?

3. Reporting Phishing Emails

Phishing remains one of the biggest cybersecurity threats, with attackers constantly refining their tactics to trick employees into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive data. This nudge encourages employees to use a prominently placed "Report Phishing" button in their email interface and reminds them to report suspicious emails regularly.

Example Nudge: "Not sure about this email? Click 'Report Phishing' to help us protect the organization."

Why It’s Important: Empowering employees to report suspicious emails improves the organization's ability to respond to threats.

Implementing an effective phishing reporting system is key to strengthening your organization’s security. Learn more about how phishing reporting works and its impact in our blog on What Is Phishing Reporter and How It Works.

4. Encouraging Strong Passwords

Weak passwords remain a major security vulnerability, making it easier for attackers to breach accounts and steal sensitive data. This nudge provides real-time visual feedback during password creation, guiding employees to choose stronger, more secure passwords.

Example Nudge: "Your password should be at least 12 characters, include a mix of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols."

Why It’s Important: Weak passwords are a common vulnerability. This nudge reduces the likelihood of compromised accounts.

Despite these measures, many employees still neglect password security. Discover the psychological reasons behind this behavior in our blog on Why Do Employees Ignore Password Security Best Practices?

5. Just-In-Time Training for Risky Behaviors

Employees may not always realize when they’ve made a security mistake. This nudge provides immediate training prompts after risky actions, like clicking on a suspicious link or sharing sensitive information, helping them quickly recognize and correct their errors in real time.

Example Nudge: "You clicked a suspicious link. Watch this 2-minute video to learn how to identify phishing attempts."

Why It’s Important: Immediate feedback helps employees connect their actions to potential consequences, reinforcing secure behaviors.

6. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Activation Reminders

Many employees forget or delay enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), leaving their accounts vulnerable to attacks. This nudge sends timely reminders to activate 2FA, especially for high-risk systems or after a suspicious login attempt, ensuring stronger account security.

Example Nudge: "Secure your account by enabling two-factor authentication today. It only takes 2 minutes!"

Why It’s Important: 2FA adds an extra layer of protection, making it significantly harder for attackers to access accounts.

7. Risk Behavior Insights and Feedback

Employees often don’t realize how their online actions impact security. This nudge provides monthly reports or dashboards that highlight secure and risky behaviors, along with actionable tips for improvement, helping employees stay informed and accountable.

Example Nudge: "Last month, you reported 3 phishing emails and clicked on one suspicious link. Keep up the great reporting and review phishing detection tips here."

Why It’s Important: Personalized feedback increases awareness and accountability, helping employees reflect on and improve their security practices.

8. Prompts for Data Classification

Employees may unintentionally share sensitive data without realizing the risks. This nudge sends notifications prompting them to confirm data sensitivity before sharing files externally or storing them in shared locations, reducing accidental exposure.

Example Nudge: "Before sharing, confirm: Is this file sensitive or confidential? Ensure you’re using the correct recipient and platform."

Why It’s Important: These prompts help employees think before they share, preventing data leaks and ensuring compliance with data protection policies.

Proper data classification and handling help prevent accidental leaks. Learn more about best practices for managing sensitive information in our blog on Secure Human Behavior – Managing Sensitive Data.

9. Simulated Phishing Challenges with Immediate Feedback

Employees may struggle to recognize phishing attempts, making them vulnerable to real attacks. This nudge delivers simulated phishing emails and provides instant feedback based on their response, helping them learn from mistakes in a safe environment.

Example Nudge: "You clicked on a simulated phishing email. Remember: Always verify links before clicking."

Why It’s Important: Simulations provide hands-on learning and reinforce awareness, building resilience to real threats.

For a more interactive way to strengthen phishing awareness, check out Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator to test and train employees in a safe environment.

Conclusion: Small Nudges, Big Impact

Nudges are transformative tools for embedding secure behaviors into daily activities. Delivered at the right time, these subtle interventions empower employees to act as proactive defenders against cyber threats. By addressing risks like AI misuse, remote work vulnerabilities, and phishing, nudges help create a secure-conscious organization where security becomes second nature.