Essential Cybersecurity Training for Employees: Free and Paid Options

Your strongest defences are only as effective as your employees enforcing them. Malicious actors often use weak practices as entry points for cyber attacks. Most of these are exploitable weaknesses such as weak passwords, shadow IT, and unguarded devices. This is where cybersecurity training can be the difference. It forms the initial layer of security.

With threats and scams on the rise, it is the responsibility of organizations to help their employees recognize threats and enforce better practices with training and awareness programs. Regular training can reduce cyber risks from 60% to 10% in a year, making it a crucial investment for organizations

In this blog, we cover how to build an effective training program, key resources—including free and paid cybersecurity training courses for employees—and tools to enhance security awareness.

What is cybersecurity awareness training for employees?

Cybersecurity awareness training for employees is the process of educating the workforce on how to identify cyber threats, leverage the reporting protocols, and how to defend against vulnerabilities and cybersecurity threats. It aims to cultivate a culture of security in the organization and covers topics such as phishing, passwords etc.,

Why is cybersecurity training crucial?

Cybersecurity training is crucial to understanding threats and attacks and minimizing the chances of falling victim to scams. Well-trained employees are proactive in responding to attack vectors, which can result in cost savings for the organization.

About 80- 95% of breaches are due to human error. A survey reported that 53% of users didn’t change their passwords in the past 12 months and 57% of users had written their passwords on a sticky note! Another report stated that 94% of organizations are victims of phishing attacks. All these findings underscore the lack of awareness among employees and make a strong case for cybersecurity training.

This is where cybersecurity training precisely plays its part.

Let’s understand its importance in 2024:

Timely threat identification

Cybersecurity training empowers employees with knowledge about common tricks used by hackers such as phishing emails, malware etc. It helps in identifying threats and reporting them promptly to the first responders, thereby minimizing the damage. In the long term, it eventually enhances the organization’s incident response capabilities of the organization and leads to cost savings.

Secure culture

The awareness that cybersecurity training programs bring makes employees more vigilant and instills a sense of responsibility. They gradually move toward better business practices and foster a culture that enhances the security posture.

Meeting compliance requirements

Compliance adherence requires well-informed employees to uphold the implemented controls by following policies, procedures and best practices. Non-compliance can make headlines for the wrong reasons and cost millions of dollars. Several frameworks like HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, etc. require organizations to conduct security awareness training and submit evidence of completion.

Enhanced public perception

Many businesses look for robust cybersecurity practices and compliance before entering into contracts. They want assurance that their data is safe with your organization and that the employees handling it are well-equipped. Cybersecurity training gives clients and stakeholders confidence and shortens the sales cycle.

Keeping pace with emerging threats

Threats are getting more advanced, and new vulnerabilities are discovered every other day. However, if employees have strong basics, it becomes easier to adapt to emerging threats. Cybersecurity training creates a strong foundation for employees and helps them stay abreast of the changing environment.

How can organizations approach cybersecurity training?

Organizations must ensure stakeholder buy-in and draft a comprehensive cybersecurity training program for employees.

Follow these 6 steps to create an effective cybersecurity program:

1. Identify training requirements

To assess your security training requirements, identify compliance frameworks your organization is subject to. Next, you may conduct interviews and surveys to evaluate the skill gap and look at previous incident reports to identify loopholes in awareness. Additionally, look at industry best practices and the latest trends in cybersecurity training to decide on the requirements.

2. Set objectives that prioritize risk

 Conduct a risk assessment to identify areas prone to human errors and set training objectives accordingly. For example, educating employees on clicking on suspicious phishing links can be an objective. Then, there may be accounts with admin rights to sensitive information, so another objective could be to encourage strong authentication practices to minimize unauthorized access.

3. Finalize training plan and content

Develop a training plan with customized content based on the job roles and priorities. Finalize the training the topics to be included in the plan and the timeline to complete each. Additionally, plan for the documentation and records to be maintained after training and communicate about the training plan to set context.

4. Use varied delivery methods

Use varied methods to ensure better employee engagement. These can include webinars, presentations, tabletop exercises, and discussions of real-life cases where security was compromised due to human error. Gather feedback regarding each method used to improve processes in the future.

5. Measure the effectiveness of the program

Measure the immediate and long-term impact of the program. For immediate effectiveness evaluation, you can conduct an assessment, track training completion rate, and make immediate changes such as password resetting. To measure the program’s long-term effectiveness, you will have to monitor employee activities and incident reporting statistics.

6. Ensure ongoing support

The process doesn’t end after the security awareness training program; you must provide ongoing support for its success. This involves giving them access to resources, regular recognition for active employees, peer support groups, and more. Building a security culture is a long-term game, so you must regularly reinforce cybersecurity principles amongst employees.

Cybersecurity training for employees: Topics that must be covered

While you can tailor the cybersecurity training material per organization’s needs, some basics must be covered. Include these topics in cybersecurity training for employees:

Types of attacks

Educate employees on the common types of attacks, such as social engineering attacks, malware, supply chain attacks, insider threats, and how to identify a suspicious activity that could relate to each.

Phishing

Most employees fall for phishing emails and messages when the hacker pretends to be a legitimate sender. Training them to identify such links and report them immediately is essential.

Remote work practices

Make your employees aware of secure remote work practices such as secure Wi-fi networks and VPNs, the importance of multi-factor authentication, regular backups, and more.

Password security

Teach them about strong password practices such as unique passwords for every account, using password managers, and frequently changing passwords to minimize stolen credentials.

Data protection

Explain the importance of protecting sensitive information and the measures to safeguard its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Talk about methods like encryption and access controls to promote secure practices.

Incident reporting

Familiarize the workforce with the importance of timely incident reporting and how to contact the right person at the time of an event. Guide them on any first steps that they can initiate to contain the damage.

Secure communication

Encourage them to ensure secure communication by using encrypted communication channels, not using public Wi-fi, not sharing sensitive information such as PHI (Protected Health Information) on emails and messaging apps etc.

Compliance requirements

Ensure that employees are familiar with the organization’s compliance frameworks and the requirements for each. They must also acknowledge any security and compliance policies related to data security.

List of cyber security courses and resources

There are various free and paid cybersecurity courses that are suitable for various career levels and suitable for different roles. Here are some examples:

Free Cybersecurity Training Courses

Free cybersecurity training courses offer a strong starting point without any upfront investments. These are easily accessible and flexible and are well-suited for foundational knowledge building. However, they may lack depth, rigor and support as provided under paid courses and most of these do not provide industry-recognized certifications for paid versions.

End User Fundamentals: Cybrary

The End User Fundamentals by Cybrary is a free course that educates people on protecting themselves from cyber threats, such as website spoofing, malvertising, etc., when browsing the Internet.

The one-hour, 45-minute course is beginner-friendly and covers topics such as risks involved with social media, public cloud storage, IoT, online scans, and more. It also spreads awareness on security best practices.

Career Advantage

• Helps build foundational cybersecurity awareness which is crucial for any job in the industry
• Useful for entry-level roles in IT, security and compliance
• Can be a stepping stone for other advanced certifications as well as cybersecurity roles

Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE)

The Federal Virtual Training Environment is managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). It provides free cybersecurity training courses and content for federal employees, contractors, US military personnel, general employees, etc.

FedVTE has 850+ hours of cybersecurity course content and covers topics such as ethical hacking and surveillance, cloud security, malware analysis, etc.

Requirements

• Since it is open for federal employees, contractors, and organizations supporting federal cybersecurity efforts, some courses may require a .gov, .mil or an approved organization email for registration.
• Beginner courses do not require prior cybersecurity awareness, but advanced courses may require foundational knowledge.

Career Advantage

• Highly valued in federal and private-sector cybersecurity roles

Relevant to roles such as Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), Cybersecurity Analyst, or Incident Responder within agencies

SANS Security Awareness work-from-home deployment kit

The institute started the SANS Security Awareness work-from-home deployment kit in 2020 when remote work became the new normal. The free course guides organizations and employees in promoting and using secure remote practices such as strong passwords, regular updates, secure communication, etc.

Career Advantage

• Enhances understanding of secure remote working practices
• Useful for roles in IT, support, compliance, and remote workforce management
• Improves cyber hygiene and boosts employability for entry-level positions where security awareness is valued

ESET basic Cyber Security Awareness Training

ESET is a global IT security company that offers a free basic Cybersecurity Awareness Training course. The course enables employees to learn about phishing, malware, social engineering, and other threats along with password policies and secure remote working practices. The course can be completed at your own pace. You’ll have to get the paid version for benefits such as a LinkedIn badge, phishing simulators, learner status dashboards, etc.

Career Advantage

• Adds credibility to your resume if you are in IT, support, helpdesk and security analyst roles
• Can help if you are looking to transition to a career in cybersecurity

Paid Cybersecurity Training Courses

Paid courses offer hands-on training, a structured learning path, and industry-recognized certifications, which are necessary if you are advancing to mid-tier and senior roles. You also get comprehensive coverage of topics and access to advanced instructors or industry experts with paid versions.

Security Awareness Training: ISC2

The Security Awareness Training by ISC2 is a beginner-friendly course offered through Coursera. It has seven modules that help you gain cybersecurity skills related to network security, data security, malware protection, and more. The course can be completed in 2-3 hours and covers topics such as creating strong passwords, protecting mobile devices and networks from vulnerabilities, and protecting social engineering.

Cost

To get access to the course, you need to buy a Coursera Plus Plan at $49 or Rs 7499. This will enable you to enroll for this course for free along with many other courses.

Career advantage

• Helps you create a security-first mindset with basic cybersecurity principles
• It is globally recognized so it adds value to your resume
• Lays the groundwork for advanced certifications like CISSP and CompTIA Security+

University of Maryland Global Campus courses

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers various paid cybersecurity certifications that equip learners with the skills to solve real-world cybersecurity cases. The university offers both degrees and certifications to make individuals job-ready. The courses cover threat hunting, ethical hacking, cloud computing etc.

Cost

The pricing structure is designed for 4 different programs based on credits—summer, spring, fall and winter. To give you an idea, the standard undergraduate program starts at $324 per credit for fall program and $330 per credit for summer program.

Career advantage

• Offers hands-on-training and uses real-world scenarios to help you prepare for security incidents
• Covers diverse areas and enables graduates to pursue roles such as SOC analyst, cloud security engineer, pen tester and cybersecurity consultant

Cyber Security Essentials by Pluralsight

Cyber Security Essentials by Pluralsight’s online platform helps employees understand how they can contribute to protecting the organization from cyber threats. The course has a free trial, and then you have to pay for it.

It covers topics such as recognizing the assets that must be protected, phishing attacks, password hygiene, patch management, and more.

Cost

After a 10-day free trial, you will need to pay Rs 749 per month to access the course

Career advantage

• Covers security fundamentals that align with industry best practices and standards such as NIST and ISO 27001
• Is useful for roles in IT, DevOps, and compliance 

Cybrary Insider Pro

Cyber Insider Pro is a paid program by Cybrary that has curated knowledge from experts in various fields of cybersecurity. It can be taken by individuals or teams. It consists of foundational level knowledge for various roles and equips you with some practical on-the-job skills. It can take about 1-2 months to get certified and covers topics such as vulnerability scan basics, cryptography, firewalls, etc.

Cost

Cyber Insider Pro costs $49 per month and $33.25 per month when billed annually. It also has a team plan at $59 per month that is billed annually

Career advantage

• Helps demonstrate practical skills for entry-level and mid-tier positions
• Offers curated expert insights and is structured in a way to help you transition to specialized cybersecurity roles such as a security analyst or a pen test professional

Types of tools for Cybersecurity training

You can broadly opt for 3 different types of platforms for your employee training needs:

Compliance automation platform

Compliance automation platforms help you streamline compliance workflows and help manage security training to fulfill requirements for various frameworks. For example, Sprinto has in-built training modules that are relevant-to-role and fit-to-framework.

You can launch the training programs org-wide, launch custom campaigns, and integrate with training providers such as Curricula. Sprinto automatically captures evidence of training completion and tracks any misses. Sprinto does not charge extra for the training modules as they are included in the platform.

Security Awareness training platforms

Security Awareness training platforms have dedicated security awareness programs that empower employees to stay vigilant and protect the organization against threats and attacks. For example, KnowBe4 is a tool with varied courses, AI-powered phishing awareness, compliance content and more to help you build a strong security culture.

Like most Security Awareness training platforms, KnowBe4 charges the training cost per head per month. If you opt for the Silver package, the cost is $1.8 per seat.

Learning Management Software

Learning management software (LMS) are platforms that enable you to create, manage, and deliver educational content and training programs. For example, ThreatCop LMS has interactive cybersecurity training modules with simulation exercises, quizzes, assessments and more. It is used by industries such as airlines, automobiles, banking, etc. to spread cybersecurity awareness and minimize cyber risks.

Automate security training and compliance with Sprinto

Arranging for workforce training is one of the greatest investments you can make to protect your information assets. It can significantly enhance your security posture and if you are in a regulated industry, it can help you stay continuously compliant. With tools like Sprinto, you are not required to pay anything extra for the training modules.

Sprinto provides out-of-the-box support for 20+ frameworks and lets you bring your own framework on the platform. Apart from the built-in training modules, you will get policy templates, automated evidence collection, integrated risk management, vendor management, and more to expand the scope of your compliance program.

Kickstart your compliance journey today. See Sprinto in action. 

FAQs

What are some best practices for cybersecurity training for employees?

Some best practices for cybersecurity training for employees are:

• Including cybersecurity training materials in onboarding
• Conducting regular training sessions
• Tailoring training to specific roles
• Ensuring regular software updates
• Encouraging strong password practices
• Maintain and update policies for sensitive data protection 

How often should employees be trained on cybersecurity?

The frequency of cybersecurity training depends on the risk profile of the organization and the compliance requirements it is subject to. The general recommendation is 4-6 months.

What are some recognized cybersecurity certifications?

CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISA, Certified ethical hacker, CISM, and more are some of the most recognized cybersecurity certifications

How can I maximize free and paid courses?

Here are some tips for maximizing free and paid courses:

• If you are using free platforms, combine them with practical work
• Leverage open-source tools for practice
• Join cybersecurity communities for mentorship if you are taking free courses
• Focus on niche areas for paid courses
• Prioritize certification high in demand such as CISSP or CompTIA Security+

How can we measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity training?

We can measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity training by tracking key metrics such as training completion rates, phishing test click-through rates, incident reporting rate and post-training assessment quiz scores.