Unveiling the Evolution of Security Awareness and the Road Ahead

At a time when digital threats are evolving as quickly as the technology itself, the concept of traditional security perception is being challenged. A recent reseach made by Gartner titled "Security Awareness Is Dead! Now What?" boldly highlights the limitations of conventional approaches and offers a glimpse into the future of cybersecurity awareness. This article dives into the key takeaways from this research and explores how organizations can adapt to this changing landscape.

The evolution of security awareness has introduced new cybersecurity risks, leading to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.

In 2024, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

A faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike in July 2024 caused a global IT outage, disrupting various sectors including aviation, healthcare, and broadcasting, with estimated losses around $15 billion.

In March 2024, Change Healthcare paid $22 million to ransomware hackers, leading to widespread service disruptions and reputational harm as hundreds of healthcare facilities across the U.S. were affected.

These incidents underscore the critical importance of robust security awareness and proactive measures to mitigate evolving cyber threats.

The Fallacy of Security Perception

Over the years, security awareness programs have become fundamental in the fight against cyber threats. However, the presentation highlighted a disturbing fact: despite significant investment in security awareness training, breaches by human error remain a leading problem. Surprisingly, 82% of breaches are due to human error, proving that current methods are not as effective as expected

Several important issues contribute to the mismatch of traditional security perceptions:

Wrong Metrics: Companies often measure the success of their awareness programs using metrics that don't actually measure changes in employee behavior, such as completion or bounce rates.

Lack of Formalization: Some programs lack formalization, leading to inconsistent implementation and reduced efficiency.

Lack of Resources: The limited number of dedicated security awareness staff leads to insufficient resources and staff training efforts.

Future of Cybersecurity Awareness

To deal with the shortcomings of traditional security perception, a shift to innovative strategies is imperative. The Gartner research suggested three strategic approaches to prepare for the future:

1. Security Behavior and Culture Program (SBCP): Besides traditional security awareness training, organizations should consider implementing SBCP. This program targets tangible changes in employee behavior through a multi-dimensional approach.
2. New Capabilities: Implementing SBCP requires new capabilities, including behavioral science, automation, data integration, multichannel interactions, personalized interactions, and management change.
3. Metrics Reinvention: Developing new metrics to measure authentic behavioral outcomes is essential. This involves assessing the risk associated with different employee segments and accurately assessing the results of the fraud simulation.

Cultivate Positive Cybersecurity Habits

Traditionally, negative reinforcement has been at the heart of safety awareness initiatives. The Gartner report emphasized the importance of moving to positive incentives such as recognition, gamification, and participation. In addition, the correlation between secure behavior and positive business outcomes demonstrates the tangible value of cybersecurity efforts.

Navigate the Unknown With Innovation

As one can see from the graphics above, despite 95 of organizations conduct a sort of awareness program but still 70% of employees demonstated insecure behaviour. Hence, the Gartner reseach emphasized the need to go beyond traditional methods and adopt innovative approaches rooted in behavioral science and with quantifiable results. That way, organizations can arm themselves to reduce the risk of human error and establish a more secure digital environment.

Gartner's Proposal For a Secure Future

The presentation concluded with a series of recommendations drawn from Gartner's extensive research:

1. Shift Away from Tradition: Relying solely on traditional outreach programs may not yield different results. A new approach is needed.
2. Foster New Capabilities: Creating a safe behavior and culture program requires new capabilities that adapt to a changing context.
3. Measure What Matters: Developing metrics that accurately measure behavioral outcomes is critical to success.
4. Simplify Security: Reduces obstacles associated with security controls, making security measures a natural and easy way to work

In-depth Gartner Research

For those wanting to understand the future of security awareness better, Gartner offers several research resources:

• "Innovation Insight on Security Behavior and Culture Program Capabilities"
• "Security Awareness Efforts Fall Short! Now What? (Survey Results Analysis)"
• "Build a Culture of Security Consciousness: Introducing the Gartner PIPE Framework"
• "Use Behavioral Economics to Influence Security Behavior and Individual Decisions"
• "Infographic: How to Drive Secure Behavior When Security Awareness Falls Short"

The traditional era of security awareness has come under scrutiny, prompting organizations to redefine their strategy. Businesses are better positioned to meet cybersecurity challenges in an ever-changing digital landscape by applying behavioral science, new capabilities, and results-based metrics. The way forward requires adaptability and innovation, ensuring a safer digital future for all.

Next Steps

Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform

Keepnet offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to address the human element of cybersecurity. Explore their range of products:

Phishing Simulator: Test and educate your employees on the dangers of phishing attacks.

Vishing Simulation: Train your staff against voice phishing or "vishing" attempts.

Smishing Simulation: Evaluate and train your team against SMS-based phishing or "smishing" threats.

MFA Phishing Simulation: Test the resilience of your multi-factor authentication processes against phishing attempts.

Awareness Educator: A platform for continuous cybersecurity education and awareness.

Incident Responder: Quickly respond to and manage security incidents.

Threat Sharing: Collaborate and share threat intelligence with peers and partners.

Threat Intelligence: Stay updated with the latest threats and vulnerabilities that are related to breached accounts on the dark & deep web,

Email Threat Simulator: Assess the resilience of your email infrastructure against cyber threats. and fix misconfigurations.

Manage Your Human Risk with Expert Guidance!

Navigating the complexities of human risk in cybersecurity can be challenging. Let our experts show you how we can help. Schedule a personalized one-to-one demo call today and take the first step towards a safer, more secure organization.

Book a Zoom Call with Our Expert Now!

FAQs on Security Awareness Evolution and the Road Ahead!

What is the main challenge with traditional security perception?

Traditional security awareness programs, despite significant investments, have not effectively reduced breaches due to human error. A staggering 82% of breaches are attributed to human mistakes.

How do companies typically measure the success of their security awareness programs?

Many companies use metrics that don't genuinely reflect changes in employee behavior, such as completion or bounce rates.

What are the primary shortcomings of traditional security perceptions?

The main issues include using the wrong metrics, a lack of formalization in programs, and insufficient resources and staff training efforts.

What does Gartner's research suggest for the future of cybersecurity awareness?

Gartner recommends a shift to innovative strategies like the Security Behavior and Culture Program (SBCP), developing new capabilities rooted in behavioral science, and reinventing metrics to measure authentic behavioral outcomes.

How can organizations cultivate positive cybersecurity habits?

Instead of relying on negative reinforcement, organizations should use positive incentives such as recognition, gamification, and participation.

What does the data say about the effectiveness of current awareness programs?

Even though 95% of organizations conduct some form of awareness program, 70% of employees still demonstrate insecure behavior.

What are Gartner's key recommendations for a secure future?

Gartner advises shifting away from traditional methods, fostering new capabilities, measuring what truly matters, and simplifying security to make it a natural part of work.

How can businesses redefine their cybersecurity strategy?

By applying behavioral science, introducing new capabilities, and using results-based metrics, businesses can better address cybersecurity challenges in a dynamic digital landscape.

What tools does Keepnet offer to address human risk in cybersecurity?

Keepnet provides a range of products, including Phishing, Vishing, Smishing, and MFA Phishing Simulators, an Awareness Educator, Incident Responder, Threat Sharing, Threat Intelligence, and an Email Threat Simulator.

How can I get expert guidance on managing human risk in cybersecurity?

You can schedule a personalized one-to-one demo call with Keepnet's experts to understand how they can assist in navigating the complexities of human risk.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on November 21, 2024.