Why Multilingual Security Awareness Programs are the Future of Human Risk Management

Imagine a German employee in Dubai receiving a phishing email labeled “Dringende Sicherheitsaktualisierung” (“Urgent Security Update” in German). They panic, click the link, and unknowingly unleash malware on their company’s network. Why? Because the organization’s security training was only offered in English—a language they barely understand.

A 2024 survey by Statista on cybersecurity training use did not specify language distribution but highlighted global usage patterns, implying English’s prevalence (Global cybersecurity training use by type 2024). Most of the cybersecurity training materials are delivered in just one language.

This disconnect isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a gaping vulnerability. Cybercriminals exploit language barriers and cultural blind spots, tailoring attacks to regions, dialects, and local events. The future of cybersecurity lies in programs that don’t just translate but resonate.

Here's why multilingual security awareness programs are not just beneficial but important for the future of human risk management.

The Importance of Local Language in Cybersecurity Training

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any security awareness program. When training materials are only available in a single language, non-native speakers may struggle to grasp critical information.

This gap can result in inconsistent application of security practices across an organization. By providing training in multiple languages, organizations ensure that all employees receive and comprehend the same vital information, fostering a unified security posture .​

Check out this article to learn more about the power of preferred language in hyper-personalized security awareness training.

Statistical Insights into Language and Cybersecurity

Quantitative data underscores the impact of language barriers on cybersecurity effectiveness:

• Employee Security Awareness: A survey reported by Security Magazine found that 67% of organizations believe their employees lack basic security awareness (Source). While this statistic does not isolate language as the sole factor, it suggests that language barriers likely exacerbate the challenge, especially in multinational settings where training materials may not be available in all employees’ native languages.

• Global Impact of BEC Scams: The FBI estimates that BEC scams, including CEO fraud, have resulted in over $26 billion in global losses. These scams often rely on convincing language to deceive employees, highlighting the importance of linguistic fluency in executing successful attacks. Language barriers can make it harder for employees to detect subtle discrepancies in such emails, increasing the risk of compliance with fraudulent requests.

Why Machine Translation Falls Short for Security Awareness

Machine translation tools, such as Google Translate, are often inadequate for cybersecurity communications due to their inability to handle technical jargon, idioms, and cultural nuances. These shortcomings can lead to critical errors in understanding and responding to threats.

Specific challenges include:

• Idioms and Technical Jargon: Cybersecurity instructions often include idiomatic expressions or specialized terms that do not translate well. For example, the phrase “hover over the link” might be translated literally into Spanish as “flotar sobre el enlace,” which is confusing and meaningless in this context. Such mistranslations can prevent employees from following security protocols correctly.
• Cultural Context: Cybercriminals frequently tailor attacks to exploit cultural references specific to a region. For instance, a phishing email in India might reference the Goods and Services Tax (GST), while one in Brazil might mention “imposto de renda” (income tax). Machine translation may fail to convey these localized references accurately, reducing the effectiveness of training materials or alerts.
• Localized Threats: Some cyberattacks are designed to resonate with specific cultural or seasonal events. For example, ransomware campaigns targeting Arabic-speaking regions may exploit Islamic charity themes during Ramadan. These threats require training that is not only translated but also culturally adapted to ensure employees recognize and respond appropriately. Machine translation cannot provide the necessary cultural sensitivity, leaving organizations vulnerable.

Keepnet Human Risk Management: Local Training That Speaks Your Team’s Language

Keepnet doesn’t just translate content—it localizes cybersecurity for 30 languages, from Arabic to Mandarin. Here’s why it works:

Technical Edge:

• AI-Powered Localization: Content is adapted by native speakers who understand regional dialects (e.g., Latin American vs. European Spanish).
• SCORM Compliance: Integrates seamlessly with LMS platforms like Moodle, tracking progress across multilingual teams.
• Microlearning Modules: Bite-sized videos in Urdu, Hindi, or French reduce cognitive load for non-native speakers.

A Closer Look: Keepnet’s Arabic Training Video Example

Behavioral Training Series: One Click, Total Crisis – A Real Phishing Story

What’s Inside:

Real Story, Real Impact: This dramatized Arabic video features Osama, a finance director in San Francisco, who unknowingly triggers a company-wide cyber incident by clicking on a phishing email disguised as a payment notice. The attacker used a subtle trick—replacing the letter “O” with the number zero in the sender’s address.

Emotional Journey: The video captures Osama’s initial confusion, denial, and eventual realization that his silence worsened the situation. Through his inner thoughts, employees are shown the emotional and operational consequences of ignoring suspicious activity.

Core Lessons:

• Scrutinize email addresses for minor differences.
• Avoid opening unknown or suspicious attachments.
• Be extra cautious with emails demanding urgent financial action.
• Report incidents immediately—silence enables the spread of threats.

Why It Works:

• Neuroscience Meets Storytelling: Emotional storytelling activates deeper memory retention—making the message up to 9x more memorable than standard training.
• Native Language, Native Emotion: Delivered in natural Arabic, using regionally familiar expressions, the story resonates authentically with Arabic-speaking employees.
• Behavioral Reinforcement: Ends with a clear checklist and a call to action to report suspicious emails—turning emotional awareness into tangible behavior change.

Check this blog to learn how Keepnet helps to implement inclusive security awareness training to support and protect employees with disabilities.

Real‑Life Stories: Keepnet’s Video Series That Resonates Globally

Storytelling is baked into every culture, so it’s the fastest way to turn abstract security rules into muscle memory.

Keepnet’s Real‑Life Stories video series distills real incidents into two‑minute, movie‑quality micro‑lessons in 30 languages—each voiced by native speakers and adapted for local idioms and regulations.​​

Why the series works:

• Neuroscience‑driven scripting activates the amygdala with conflict, then offers a quick “hero” escape path, improving recall by up to 9× over slide decks.
• Micro‑learning format (120 seconds) respects busy schedules and fits into daily stand‑ups or shift hand‑overs.
• Language‑first production means jokes land, legal terms are correct, and characters look and sound local—not dubbed.

Check out this article to learn about what is localization for security awareness training and why it is important for learning and behavior change.

Keepnet Human Risk Management for Building a Truly Inclusive Security Culture

Multilingual awareness is more than translation; it is respect. When every employee—from a warehouse clerk in São Paulo to a CFO in Düsseldorf—hears guidance in their own words, they feel ownership of the mission. Companies that embed inclusion into defence reap measurable gains:

• Unified metrics: Risk dashboards no longer need language filters; everyone sits on the same baseline.
• Lower spear‑phishing success rates: Clients report double‑digit drops in BEC incidents after rolling out native‑language refreshers.
• Stronger employer brand: Inclusive training demonstrates compliance with diversity, equality, and accessibility mandates—critical for global tenders.

Ready to raise the bar? Explore Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform, its adaptive Security Awareness Training, and AI powered Phishing Simulator. Each module shares a common localisation engine, so you launch once and protect everywhere.