The Role of User Awareness in Cyber Defense

I don’t think people understand how important the psychology of decision-making under pressure impacts the success of cybersecurity awareness training. Let me explain how… First, Stress Impacts Decision-Making. Under pressure, people are more likely to make impulsive decisions rather than carefully considered ones. To proof this theory to my audience, I use an activity during my workshops where I trick them to attempt to answer a question under pressure. For the first few minutes,because I put them on a time pressure, they keep shouting different plausible answers at me until someone reads my question again to see that the question itself, is WRONG. This is exactly what the bad guys do! Most awareness training focuses on teaching employees “what to do” in ideal scenarios but doesn’t prepare them for high-stress situations. Secondly, we forget that human decision-making is influenced by cognitive biases like authority bias (trusting an email because it appears to come from a superior) or urgency bias (responding quickly to avoid perceived consequences). Our trainings today rarely addresses these psychological biases, leaving people vulnerable to well-crafted deception attacks. Thirdly, Multitasking and Distraction Increase Risk! People often make cybersecurity decisions while multitasking or in a state of distraction, which training rarely accounts for. This 4th point is very important- Emotional Manipulation by Attackers Cybercriminals exploit human emotions like fear, greed, curiosity, and even empathy. For example, a phishing email may create a sense of urgency by threatening account suspension or appeal to empathy by posing as a charity. Awareness trainings rarely teaches employees how to recognize and resist emotional manipulation tactics. In 2025, I challenge you to do better! Make sure your trainings go beyond technical instructions and focus on emotional awareness, and practical habits that people can apply in real-world situations. Go past the technical tips and tricks, address the psychology issues. Its people (not robots) we are trying to shape for goodness sake!…tap into their humanity more than the bad guys can! #cybersecurity #informationsecurity #psychology

You can't buy the best cybersecurity tool ever, and you need it. Culture, a security culture. Cybersecurity needs a strong culture to drive it. It’s about leadership, intentional programs, and turning security into a shared mission. Learn how to engage employees, get leadership buy-in, measure meaningful KPIs, and make security a true business differentiator. 🧙🏼♂️In this episode of The Keyboard Samurai Podcast , Mike Williams President of Appalachia Technologies, LLC sat down with me to discuss how he builds a culture of cybersecurity. ⏯️ Full episode link in the comments. Here's the TLDR 👇 1. Culture Starts with Leadership ↳ Leaders set the tone for security ↳ Model the behavior you expect ↳ Fund programs, not just policies 2. Make Security Intentional ↳ Run phishing drills regularly ↳ Host monthly lunch and learns ↳ Do real tabletop exercises 3. People Are the Front Line ↳ Train users on real-world threats ↳ Reward good security behavior ↳ Turn mistakes into learning 4. Training is Not Culture ↳ Avoid one-and-done modules ↳ Use gamified, role-based content ↳ Train early, often, and in context 5. Security is a Noble Mission ↳ Frame security as protection ↳ Connect actions to real impact ↳ Inspire a sense of purpose 6. Customize by Role or Team ↳ Tailor training to each function ↳ Map risks to daily workflows ↳ Speak their language, not yours 7. Measure What Matters ↳ Track phishing data ↳ Prioritize for your business ↳ Report on IR response times 8. Security is a Client Differentiator ↳ Promote your security posture ↳ Show real effort, not just badges ↳ Use cyber strength to win deals 9. Educate, Don’t Lecture ↳ Share breach case studies ↳ Explain how attacks actually work ↳ Keep stories short and sticky 10. Build the Case with Data ↳ Use risk registers to guide asks ↳ Show the cost of inaction ↳ Bring metrics to the boardroom 11. Security Never Stands Still ↳ Update practices as threats evolve ↳ Watch trends like AI and quantum ↳ Build a learning-first culture This episode will change how you think about security daily. How do you build cyber culture? ⬇️ 🔄 Share to build strong cybersecurity cultures 📲 Follow Wil Klusovsky for wisdom on cyber & tech business

Friendly Reminder : 🚨Awareness Training is Not Enough!🚨 Many companies invest heavily in cybersecurity awareness training, but if the organizational culture doesn't prioritize security or provide continuous education, these efforts may fall short. Cybersecurity isn't just about checking a box. It's about embedding security into the very fabric of our organizational culture. When security becomes a core value, it influences every decision, behavior, and practice within the company. 🔒 Key Points to Consider: 1. Beyond Training Sessions: Awareness training shouldn't be a one-time event. It requires continuous education and engagement to keep employees vigilant and informed about evolving threats. 2. Culture is Key: A strong security culture means that every employee, from the C-suite to the entry-level, understands the importance of cybersecurity and acts accordingly. It’s about creating an environment where security is everyone’s responsibility. 3. Practical Application: Employees should not only learn about cybersecurity in theory but also practice it in their daily activities. Real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences can reinforce the training material. 4. Leadership Involvement: Leadership must champion cybersecurity initiatives and lead by example. When leaders prioritize security, it sets a precedent for the rest of the organization. 5. Ongoing Communication: Keep the conversation about cybersecurity alive. Regular updates, reminders, and open discussions can help maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness. Let’s move beyond the checkbox mentality and build a robust cybersecurity culture that truly protects our organizations. What are your thoughts? How do you integrate cybersecurity into your company’s culture? Share your experiences and let’s discuss how we can enhance our training programs to be more effective! #Cybersecurity #AwarenessTraining #CyberCulture #SecurityFirst #ContinuousEducation #LinkedInCommunity #cybersecurityawareness

We often focus on technology when we talk about cybersecurity. But there's another crucial factor: people. Employees are on the front lines of cybersecurity, and they can either be your greatest asset or your biggest vulnerability. Cybersecurity training needs to go beyond awareness. It's about embedding a culture where every team member understands their role in protecting the business. From spotting phishing attempts to handling sensitive data, it's critical that everyone is engaged. By investing in people as well as technology, we create a comprehensive defense that is hard to breach. Cybersecurity starts with people. How are you empowering your teams to be part of the solution? #CyberCulture #HumanFactor #SecurityAwareness