End User Security Awareness Training

What is End-User Training

End-user training is an important aspect of cyber hygiene and successful system implementation within an organization. Changes in security or systems are not easily implemented when users are unsure or unable to understand and accept the changes. Proper training is vital to a company in ensuring that employees can adapt, understand and become efficient with implemented changes.

Investing in end-user training allows for a company to ensure users are comfortable and knowledgeable in cyber hygiene and system implementation changes. Training allows for efficient work with a reduction in errors and frustration with using and practices new procedures and processes. Employees have a great sense of empowerment when using new processes and procedures and often are more invested in the continued progress of the organization.

End-user security training is important in creating an atmosphere that is beneficial to both the employees and the company. The return on investment for providing end-user security training is immediate as cyber hygiene is positively enforced by all individuals. Training allows for less time trying to figure out what needs to be done to keep the assets of a company secure and more time ensuring all areas are more secure.

When the end-users have invested in the security of the company the organization can have a stronger overall security program that is not only implemented within the organization but outside of the organization as well. If a company provides information to users that computer patches are available to be installed and allows users to click the button when they have time to implement the patch, it creates a level of trust between the company and the user. The user feels empowered and will use that new knowledge to ensure their personal devices are up-to-date and understand the importance of security patches while understanding that there is a balance between security and usability.

Why is End User Security Training Important?

End-user security training allows for education on what issues may arise prior to a security issue that can be brought to the attention of information technology (IT) personnel prior to the asset becoming unusable. Systems that become slow or do not react in an expected manner are easier to troubleshoot and fix when users can accurately describe when the problem started and what tasks were being completed at that specific time.

Security training for end users provides a positive cyber hygiene environment that assists the company by allowing employees to have flexibility in their processes and procedures since they are aware that security is important to the success of the company. Training end-users in security practices such as reviewing emails for phishing attempts to ensure that all personnel around them are authorized to be in the specific area, to not using company laptops in public places such as airport lounges and coffee shops without security solutions implemented for protection.

End-user security training is an investment for every company to provide employees with a better understanding of good cyber hygiene practices and system implementation processes and procedures.