Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Part 2: User Education Matters

Cybersecurity platforms and technologies continue to advance, but attackers know that people remain the easiest entry point into an organization. Phishing and social engineering are still among the most common and effective threats.

That is why user education and awareness training are critical parts of any security strategy.

TL;DR: User Education is Critical to Cybersecurity

• Phishing affects everyone, from individuals to businesses, and remains one of the most common entry points for attackers.
  
  
•  Security awareness training works best when it is memorable, repetitive, and paired with simulated phishing tests.
  
  
• People often skim emails, which makes them vulnerable to convincing spoofs and impersonations.
  
  
• Training builds habits, while awareness helps employees apply those habits when real threats appear.
  
  
• Attackers use urgency, fear, or rewards to drive quick actions that bypass careful thinking.
  
  
• Technical controls like filters block most phishing attempts, but layered defenses are still required.
  
  
• The combination of user education and security tools reduces risk and protects organizations from costly breaches.
  
  
  

Phishing Is Everywhere

Phishing is no longer limited to businesses. Individuals receive malicious messages every day through email, text, and even social media. Most people have either experienced an attempted phishing attack themselves or know a family member or colleague who has.

Attackers use these tactics to trick users into clicking links, downloading files, or sharing sensitive information. Because the approach is so widespread and effective, training and awareness are essential for every organization.

Learn more: Ntiva's Managed Cybersecurity Services

Why Cybersecurity and Phishing Prevention Training Works

Phishing prevention training is often designed to be memorable, even if it feels exaggerated. Unusual videos, dramatic examples, or humorous scenarios make it easier for employees to recall key lessons when faced with a real phishing attempt.

Organizations also use simulated phishing emails to test users. Many people are surprised at how often these simulations catch them off guard. With advances in spoofing and AI, fake messages look more convincing than ever, which makes practice and repetition necessary.

The Human Factor

A user can be right 99 times, but if they click the wrong link once, the attacker succeeds. Criminals take advantage of this by tailoring messages using information from social media, job titles, or connections. The result is highly targeted attacks that feel legitimate.

The challenge is that most people skim their emails. Attackers exploit this behavior by copying logos, fonts, and layouts from trusted sources. A subtle misspelling or slight change can be enough to bypass a busy reader. That is why training emphasizes reading carefully and questioning unexpected requests.

Building Awareness Through Repetition

Training is not a one-time event. Repetition builds awareness, and awareness leads to better decision-making. Ongoing training programs combine slides, simulations, and repeated exposure to phishing scenarios. Over time, this reinforces habits that help employees pause before taking action.

Common tactics include:

• Emails designed to create urgency, fear, or curiosity
• Messages offering rewards such as gift cards
• Updates on policies or benefits that encourage quick clicks
• Impersonation of executives or senior leaders

Recognizing these red flags takes practice, and consistent training keeps the lessons top of mind.

The Role of Technical Controls

While user awareness is critical, technical tools still play a major role. Email filters and security systems block the majority of spam and phishing attempts before they reach users. However, no filter is perfect. Attackers continually adapt their methods to bypass defenses.

This is why the best approach is layered: combine training and awareness with strong technical controls. One acts as the speed bump to make employees pause, and the other as the guardrails that block many threats before they arrive.

Training vs. Awareness

Training and awareness are related but distinct. Training delivers knowledge and practice. Awareness is the outcome—understanding that threats exist and applying that knowledge in the moment. Both are necessary to reduce risk.

Cybersecurity is a numbers game for attackers. They only need one person to click. For organizations, the goal is to minimize that chance through consistent education, repeated reinforcement, and the right security tools.

Why It Matters

It only takes one employee falling for a phishing message to compromise an entire organization. Technology alone cannot solve this problem. User education and awareness provide the human layer of defense that is just as important as firewalls, authentication, and monitoring.

By treating training as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event, organizations strengthen their culture of security, reduce their exposure to attacks, and protect their people, data, and reputation.