Published 2026-01-30 by TechNet New England
According to KnowBe4's 2025 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report, organizations that implement security awareness training see a dramatic reduction in phishing risk - over 40% in just 90 days, and up to 86% within a year. Given that a third of employees are susceptible to phishing attacks, training is one of the most impactful security investments.
Why Training Matters
Verizon's 2025 DBIR links about 60% of breaches to human actions. Technical controls cannot prevent every threat - eventually, someone needs to recognize that an email is suspicious, a request is unusual, or a website is fake.
The statistics are stark:
- Median time to click a phishing link: 21 seconds
- Median time to submit credentials after clicking: 28 seconds
- Industry baseline susceptibility rate: 33.1%
Without training, one in three employees will fall for phishing attempts. With training, that rate drops dramatically.
Elements of Effective Training
Regular Simulated Phishing
Send realistic phishing simulations to employees monthly. This provides:
- Baseline measurement of susceptibility
- Ongoing reinforcement of training
- Identification of employees needing additional help
- Metrics to demonstrate program effectiveness
Simulations should vary in sophistication and type - from obvious red flags to convincing targeted attacks.
Immediate Feedback
When employees click simulated phishing, provide immediate, educational feedback. Explain what the warning signs were and what to look for in the future. Avoid punitive approaches that discourage reporting.
Ongoing Education
Regular training modules covering:
- Email security and phishing recognition
- Password security and multi-factor authentication
- Social engineering tactics
- Physical security awareness
- Safe browsing and download practices
- Mobile device security
- Incident reporting procedures
Current Threat Updates
Security landscape changes constantly. Employees should receive updates about:
- New phishing campaigns targeting your industry
- Emerging attack techniques
- Recent incidents (anonymized) from your organization
- Seasonal threats (tax season scams, holiday shopping fraud)
The 90-Day Transformation
Research shows measurable improvement in just 90 days:
- Days 1-30 - Baseline assessment, initial training deployment, first simulations
- Days 31-60 - Employees begin recognizing common patterns, click rates drop
- Days 61-90 - Security-conscious behaviors become habits, reporting increases
The key is consistency. Monthly simulations and quarterly training modules maintain awareness. Organizations that train once and stop see susceptibility rates return to baseline.
Building Security Culture
Beyond formal training, security culture requires:
Leadership Participation
Executives and managers should complete the same training as everyone else. Their visible participation signals importance.
Easy Reporting
Employees need simple ways to report suspicious emails. A one-click report button in the email client removes friction.
Positive Reinforcement
Recognize employees who report threats or demonstrate security awareness. Avoid public shaming of those who fall for simulations.
Clear Policies
Document and communicate security policies so employees know what is expected and why.
Measuring Success
Track metrics including:
- Phishing simulation click rates (trending down)
- Reporting rates (trending up)
- Time to report suspicious emails (trending down)
- Training completion rates
- Actual security incidents
TechNet New England provides security awareness training programs designed for small business environments.
Sources: KnowBe4 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report 2025, Verizon 2025 DBIR, AAG Phishing Statistics