If you’ve decided to run cyber security awareness training for your team, that’s brilliant. You’ve already taken a big step towards protecting your business. But not all training is created equal.
Some programmes are too vague. Others are packed with jargon. And many don’t cover the threats that small businesses are actually likely to face.
So what should good cyber security awareness training actually include? And how can you be sure it will make a difference?
Here’s a clear guide to help you get it right.
Start with the basics (and make it relevant)
Your team doesn’t need to become cyber security experts. But they do need to recognise the types of threats they’re most likely to encounter and know how to respond.
Effective cyber security awareness training focuses on real-world situations, such as:
- Spotting phishing emails and messages: What they look like, how they’re worded, and what tricks they use to get clicks.
- Creating strong, unique passwords: And why reusing the same one across platforms is risky.
- Using multi-factor authentication: And why a code on their phone can stop a hacker in their tracks.
- Staying safe when working remotely: Especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi or using personal devices.
- Recognising social engineering: Because not all threats come through email. Sometimes it’s a phone call, text message, or a LinkedIn request.
These basics apply to almost every business, regardless of size or sector.
Keep cyber security awareness training real, not theoretical
The best cyber security awareness training doesn’t just list information. It shows what it looks like in practice.
Use screenshots, real examples (especially from your own industry), and short scenarios that walk your team through what they might see and how to react.
If you can, talk about near misses your company has already experienced. These stories, when shared safely and appropriately, make training feel more immediate and relatable.
You can even ask team members to share their own experiences or suspicions. It opens up a space for healthy discussion and keeps the learning environment human and practical.
Make it interactive
Even short quizzes or “what would you do?” moments can make training stick. It doesn’t need to be high-tech. It just needs to involve your team in a way that keeps them engaged.
Ask them what they’d do if they received a suspicious email. Let them talk about it in pairs or as a group. People remember more when they’ve talked through scenarios themselves rather than just read about them.
Explain what to do, not just what to avoid
It’s one thing to recognise a dodgy email. It’s another to know exactly what to do about it.
Your training should make the next steps clear:
- Who should they report it to?
- How do they forward a suspicious email safely?
- What’s the process for reporting something outside of email, like a phone scam or invoice that seems off?
Confidence doesn’t come from just spotting risks. It comes from knowing how to handle them.
Cover your company’s tools and policies
Generic cyber security awareness training is a good start. But great training includes the specific platforms, policies, and protections your business uses.
For example:
- How your company handles password resets
- Where to find and understand your remote working policy
- What your MFA setup looks like, and who to ask if it stops working
- Whether your devices are monitored and how to report lost or stolen hardware
This makes the training practical and directly relevant to your team’s everyday experience.
Build in follow-up and repetition
Even the best cyber security awareness training fades from memory over time. It’s normal. That’s why it helps to plan regular follow-ups and reminders.
A good approach includes:
- A full session once a year
- Quarterly refreshers or micro-updates
- Phishing simulations to test responses in a safe way
- Short internal campaigns or reminders via your chat platform or internal newsletter
Cyber threats evolve constantly. Your training should keep pace.
What to look out for in a cyber security awareness training provider
If you’re bringing someone in to run your cyber security awareness training, it’s worth asking a few key questions:
- Is it designed with small businesses in mind?
- Will it be jargon-free and accessible for non-technical staff?
- Can it be delivered in short, manageable sessions?
- Does it include examples from businesses like yours?
- Will they provide any follow-up materials or advice?
You want a provider who doesn’t just deliver training and disappear. Look for someone who helps you build a repeatable and realistic approach that supports your team over time.
Don’t forget the human element
Cyber security is about more than just systems and settings. Most breaches start with a human action that is usually unintentional.
The aim of awareness training is to give your team the confidence to spot something that looks suspicious, the permission to ask questions, and the knowledge to report things quickly.
Mistakes might still happen. But with the right training, your people are more likely to catch problems early and avoid costly incidents altogether.
Bringing cyber security awareness training all together
Cyber security awareness training should be clear, relevant, and practical. If it’s full of buzzwords or too generic, it won’t stick.
Focus on real risks, day-to-day tools, and exactly what to do when something doesn’t feel right. Get your team talking, asking questions, and feeling confident enough to act.
And remember, this isn’t about scaring people. It’s about helping them protect the business, themselves, and each other.
If you need help shaping a training plan that actually works for your team, we’d love to talk. No pressure, no jargon. Just support that fits around your business.
Because when your team is cyber aware, your business is far better protected.
