10 Essential Security Awareness Training Topics (And How We Make Them Stick)

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Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and technical defenses - it’s about people.

No matter how advanced security systems get, human error remains the #1 threat.

In fact, around 95% of cybersecurity breaches result from human error

A single phishing email, weak password, or misclick can result in a breach.

On average, employees in a 1,000-person company will face roughly 2,330 phishing attacks per year that bypass their technical layers.

This is why security awareness training is critical.

But here’s the problem...

Most security training isn't effective.

Employees zone out, skip modules, or forget everything within days.

Our research shows that out of the 2,330 cyber threats companies face, 466 phish will be clicked per year with standard security awareness in place.

So, what are the core topics you need to cover? And how do you actually change behavior - not just check compliance boxes?

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The essential security awareness training topics every organization needs
• How to make training engaging so employees actually remember it
• Where standard security training falls short
• Topics that you may well become essentials in the near future

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The problem with standard security awareness training

Before diving into the topics, let's address the elephant in the room: most security awareness training programs fail to actually change behavior.

Organizations need to educate their employees about security threats instead of just forcing them to follow policies.

This distinction is crucial.

Fear is a fantastic short-term motivator, but if we constantly try to motivate people in this way, they’ll experience emotional burnout.

When security feels imposed rather than understood, compliance becomes superficial and security culture remains weak.

Positive reinforcement leads to much longer-lasting behavior change because people approach it from a healthy mindset.

The challenge isn't just about delivering information.

It's about making that information resonate with employees who have varying levels of technical understanding and different day-to-day priorities.

At Hoxhunt, we've found that no matter how valuable the content is, the delivery method significantly impacts engagement.

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What makes training effective?

At Hoxhunt, we've discovered that effective security awareness training must be:

• Relevant to specific roles and industries - Generic training feels like a waste of time
• Engaging and interactive - People learn by doing, not by passive consumption
• Frequent but brief - The "forgetting curve" is steep; reinforcement is key
• Measure behavior change - If the goal is risk reduction, compliance checkboxes will still get ticked
• Integrated with compliance needs - Training should efficiently address regulatory requirements while focusing on practical skills

Where we actually see the most engagement and the most behavior change comes from shorter, much more action-oriented training that doesn't drone on, but immediately gives people a simple list of what they need to do.

Now, let's look at the ten essential security awareness topics that should form the foundation of your program...

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1. Phishing

Phishing remains the most common attack vector for good reason: it works.

Phishing is still the bread and butter of attackers because it's low-cost and highly effective.

And with AI tools like ChatGPT, phishing attempts have become even harder to spot.

Cybercriminals continually refine their social engineering tactics, making phishing messages increasingly sophisticated.

Today's phishing attacks often use:

• Domain spoofing
• Emotional triggers like urgency or fear
• Impersonation of trusted brands or colleagues
• Legitimate-looking attachments and links
• Business email compromise targeting executives or finance teams
• Spear phishing that leverages personal information for highly targeted attacks

Our analysis shows that attackers are increasingly adept at exploiting human psychology.

It's natural for employees to fall for incentives.

Attackers take advantage of this by including offers in these emails or posing an emergency.

Unfortunately, many employees don't inquire about the sender and send the requested information out of urgency.

This social engineering forms the backbone of successful phishing campaigns.

What makes phishing training stick?

How do we make sure Hoxhunt users actually modify their behavior? Real-world simulations, personalized difficulty, and emphasizing fast reporting mechanisms are key.

We don't just teach 'don't click links.'

We show how to recognize realistic social engineering patterns.

The most effective phishing awareness comes through simulations that closely mimic real-world attacks.

At Hoxhunt, we've found that phishing simulations that adapt to each employee's skill level keep engagement high while building practical recognition skills.

This means we keep everyone appropriately challenged without becoming discouraged or complacent.

Building employees' recognition skills gives them concrete tools rather than vague warnings.

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2. Malware

According to the 2024 Verizon DBIR, 94% of malware is delivered through email attachments.

Our Phishing Trends Report found that of attacks that bypass email filters:

• Only around 10% of malicious payloads are delivered as attachments, and around 90% of the attachments contain deceptive links leading to a further payload, such as malware attacks or credential harvesting.
• The other 10% of attachments contain further social engineering, with the goal of further engagement from the recipient.

Note: Only about 1% of malicious emails these days actually carry malware. 99% are focused on social engineering.

What makes malware training stick?

This shift towards social engineering means malware training must go beyond "don't click" and focus on recognizing manipulation tactics.

Focus on the behavior (like avoiding unknown downloads) rather than technical jargon:

• Recognition of high-risk behaviors
• The importance of not installing unauthorized software
• Prompt reporting of suspicious activity to the security team

Interactive scenarios that show cause-and-effect relationships between actions (clicking suspicious links) and consequences (ransomware encryption) create memorable learning experiences.

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3. Security of credentials

Credential harvesting is often the goal of phishing, not malware installation.

Attackers want access more than destruction.

Despite the rise of passwordless authentication technologies, passwords remain a primary authentication method for most organizations.

Poor password practices continue to enable unauthorized access.

Your cybersecurity training needs to do more than just preach about using strong passwords.

Instead, look at real-world skills like using password managers and recognizing suspicious login attempts.

What makes credential security training stick?

Showing real password-cracking demonstrations and reinforcing MFA usage with immediate, positive feedback

Password managers have transformed how we approach credential security.

Training should focus on:

• Using unique passwords for every account
• Creating strong passwords with multiple character types
• The critical importance of enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication
• Recognizing and reporting suspicious login attempts

Our experience shows that demonstrating actual password cracking techniques creates powerful "aha moments" that drive behavior change better than abstract rules.

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4. Removable media security

USB drives and other physical media remain significant vectors for malware delivery and data exfiltration.

Attackers leave infected USB drives in places like parking lots...

And curiosity kicks in.

Dropping USB drives is an old trick but it still works shockingly well because curiosity is a universal human trait.

In 2025, this risk extends beyond traditional USB sticks to include charging cables with embedded malicious chips and seemingly innocuous promotional devices.

The danger is particularly insidious because these attacks exploit natural human behaviors.

A USB drive found in a parking lot with an intriguing label plays on human curiosity, potentially compromising network security when plugged in.

What makes removable media training stick?

Practical demonstrations showing how innocent-looking devices can compromise systems are particularly effective.

Training should emphasize:

• Refusing to accept removable media from untrusted sources
• Using only approved and encrypted company devices
• Understanding the risks of finding or using unknown devices
• Reporting suspicious removable media to the security team

Covering at real, relatable cases works... and the more engaging you can make this narrative, the more effective its going to be.

An employee might find a USB that looks like it has something important on it.

But, if your training works, they'd remember a specific case study where this lead to a breach.

So by triggering the narrative you can nudge employees towards remembering the training and the actions that they should take in response to that training.

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5. Safe internet usage

Remote and hybrid work environments have expanded security risk perimeters.

Employees today use public Wi-Fi constantly.

And public Wi-Fi is still incredibly risky.

VPNs aren't a nice-to-have anymore; they're a must.

And so teaching VPN use and basic web hygiene has never been more critical

A majority of businesses now operate on the internet and require their employees to use it.

However, since every employee has a different level of understanding, this poses a greater risk to the organization's security.

What makes internet safety training stick?

Opt for relatable scenarios that tie directly to employees' daily work patterns.

Training needs to focus on practical guidance for everyday situations:

• Using virtual private networks (VPNs) when working remotely
• Identifying secure (HTTPS) versus insecure (HTTP) connections
• Recognizing the dangers of downloading files from untrusted websites
• Understanding advanced browsing threats like watering hole attacks

Relatable scenarios that match employees' actual work patterns help translate knowledge into daily habits.

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6. Social media cybersecurity

Social media platforms have become prime environments for social engineering attacks.

Attackers aren't just targeting companies anymore.

They're targeting employees personally on social platforms, gathering small details for larger cyber attacks.

Attackers steal critical data of an organization's customer base and then use it for malicious activities.

After extracting information, they can send fraudulent emails or messages to their customers on behalf of that firm.

What makes social media security training stick?

Real examples of social media-based attacks that led to breaches help employees understand the real risks of oversharing.

Effective training addresses both personal and professional social media use:

• Understanding privacy settings and their implications
• Recognizing impersonation of trusted brands on social platforms
• Being cautious about information shared that could facilitate social engineering
• Identifying suspicious messages or connection requests

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7. Environmental security measures

Physical security is still a cybersecurity issue.

Open offices, hybrid workplaces - the traditional 'clean desk' advice needs to evolve to new environments.

Cybersecurity concerns aren't just restricted to your computers.

These cyber threats can be physically present in your workplace environment.

Tailgating, shoulder surfing...

These are low-tech attacks, but still highly effective if awareness isn't there.

What makes environmental security training stick?

Environmental security training works best when it's tied to specific locations and practices:

• Locking devices when leaving workspaces, even momentarily
• Securing mobile devices in public places
• Being alert to shoulder surfing in public locations
• Verifying identities before granting physical access
• Preventing tailgating (unauthorized persons following employees into restricted areas)

Realistic challenges like spotting tailgaters or securing devices quickly, not dry checklists.

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8. Clean desk policy

Clean desk policies remain critical but must be updated.

Office culture has changed massively over the last few years.

Even between the mid-2000s and 2010, the shift to open-plan offices and more fluid seating arrangements made it harder for attackers or insiders to find sensitive information - many people no longer have fixed desks where they kept documents.

Traditional security training programs are often still based on outdated assumptions about how offices work.

Today, with the rise of remote work, the odds of an insider stealing corporate secrets have lowered, but new risks and exposures have emerged.

Home offices introduce new risks.

It's not just about desks anymore - it's about securing all workspaces

Training often lags behind real office culture. Home offices, open seating - these realities demand fresh approaches.

It's not that foundational security advice should be abandoned, but training often falls into lazy stereotypes, offering bland, top-down content that no longer matches reality.

What makes clean desk training stick?

Build habits through nudges and reminders, not relying on old stereotypes.

Making clean desk practices habitual requires regular reinforcement:

• Regular reminders at logical times (like meeting notifications or end-of-day alerts)
• Clear guidelines about what constitutes sensitive information
• Secure storage options that are convenient to use

It's essential to adapt your clean desk policy to your specific workspace setups.

Your training  should emphasize that sensitive materials (notes, devices, documents) must be secured every time someone leaves a workspace, even for short periods. Think in minutes, not hours.

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9. Safe data management

Data has become the lifeblood of most organizations, making proper data handling essential for both security and compliance.

With privacy laws and compliance frameworks becoming more stringent globally, employees need to understand both the security and legal implications of data handling.

Most breaches today involve data being exfiltrated quietly rather than systems being 'blown up'.

Quiet theft is harder to notice and defend against.

What makes data management training stick?

Teaching employees what constitutes sensitive data and how to classify and protect it is essential - not just quoting GDPR clauses.

Effective data management training connects abstract policies to concrete actions:

• Implementing effective data classification to protect information at each stage
• Understanding the legal requirements associated with different data types
• Applying appropriate security measures based on data sensitivity
• Recognizing and reporting potential data leaks or exposures

Case studies of costly data breaches resulting from improper handling make the consequences tangible.

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10. Device security

The proliferation of personal devices in the workplace (BYOD) and company devices used in multiple locations has exponentially expanded the attack surface.

Many organizations allow employees to bring and work on their devices in the workplace.

While this enhances the efficiency of employees, it also poses some serious security risks.

Mobile device security has also become particularly critical since smartphones and tablets today hold just as much sensitive information as laptops.

Mobile devices today are treasure troves of sensitive data and so securing them should be non-negotiable.

What makes device security training stick?

Device security training should be practical and applicable to both corporate and personal devices:

• Securing all devices with strong passwords, biometrics, or one-time codes
• Enabling full-disk encryption for personal devices used for work
• Using only trusted sources for application downloads
• Keeping all devices updated with the latest security patches
• Implementing company-approved antivirus software

Hands-on configuration sessions where employees actually implement security measures on their devices lead to much higher adoption rates than just theory.

Our internal data at Hoxhunt points to one clear takeaway here...

Muscle memory will always beat passive reading.

Note: At Hoxhunt HQ, if someone leaves their laptop open and is away from their desk, any team members walking by will leave a message on Slack saying 'hacked'. This is never to punish people, but to create fun learning moments that show how attacks could happen in real-life.

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How do we help make security awareness a cultural norm at Hoxhunt?

While covering these ten essential topics forms the foundation of a solid security awareness program, the way this information is delivered matters.

Adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training program can significantly help organizations overcome threats..

But success depends on treating employees with respect.

This is why Hoxhunt is designed to respect the intelligence of users, respect their time, and be empathetic to the fact that they have other more pressing needs day-to-day.

Here's how Hoxhunt approaches training to maximize engagement and retention:

Personalization at scale

Generic, one-size-fits-all training produces generic, forgettable results.

The Hoxhunt platform adapts to each employee's role, skill level, and learning patterns to deliver relevant content when and how it will be most effective.

Why? Because learning happens at the edges of people's knowledge.

So, make sure your employees are being appropriately challenged without feeling overwhelmed.

Behavioral science-based design

Our training leverages principles of behavioral science to create lasting habit changes:

• Immediate feedback loops reinforce positive behaviors
• Gamification elements maintain engagement
• Microlearning prevents cognitive overload
• Just-in-time training delivers information when it's most relevant

As our internal data shows, employees engage much more deeply with content that meets them where they are.

We've found that taking complex security concepts and breaking them into manageable, practical chunks significantly increases retention and application.

Positive reinforcement over time leads to longer-lasting behavior change...

Fear might spark immediate action, but it doesn't sustain it.

Balancing compliance with risk reduction

One of the most challenging aspects of security awareness is balancing compliance requirements with actual risk reduction.

Just because a piece of training doesn't directly mention a compliance framework doesn't mean it doesn't satisfy it.

Hoxhunt training, for example, meets compliance needs while prioritizing behavior change.

By contextualizing requirements, employees gain a better understanding of how their actions connect to broader organizational obligations, increasing both compliance and actual security.

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Emerging topics for 2025 and beyond

While the ten core topics remain essential, several emerging areas deserve attention in contemporary security awareness programs.

Based on our research and observations, these areas represent the cutting edge of security awareness needs.

AI-enabled threats

The rise of generative AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to creating convincing phishing emails, deepfake voice calls, and other sophisticated social engineering attacks.

Attackers are using AI to craft incredibly convincing phishing messages.

Recognizing subtle cues matters more than spotting typos.

We've observed that AI-generated phishing attempts now bypass many traditional detection methods by creating perfectly grammatical, contextually appropriate messages.

Our own ongoing AI Spear Phishing Agent experiment from 2023 to 2025, found that AI’s performance vs. humans improved by 55%.

As of March 2025, AI is 24% more effective than humans

Modern training needs to incorporate examples of these sophisticated attacks and teach employees subtle indicators.

Supply chain security

It's becoming easier for attackers to move through digital supply chains.

Organizations are increasingly targeted through their business partners and software supply chains.

Between 2021 and 2023, supply chain attacks surged by a staggering 431%.

And projections indicate this number will continue to rise dramatically throughout 2025.

And so employees need to know how to verify vendor credibility.

Effective security awareness now needs to cover topics like:

• Verifying vendor security credentials
• Recognizing when third-party requests deviate from established protocols
• Understanding the risks of granting external access to internal systems
• Identifying suspicious updates or communications from trusted partners

Adaptive access controls & zero trust education

We can’t expect people to spot phishing just by gut feeling anymore.

Training users to verify information through different channels will be critical.

As organizations move toward zero trust architectures, employees need to understand new authentication approaches and why they're necessary.

This includes educating users about:

• Continuous authentication requirements
• Context-aware access controls
• The security rationale behind increased verification
• Appropriate responses to stepped-up authentication requests

Our internal research shows that employees are much more accepting of additional security measures when they understand the protection these measures provide and how they fit into the broader security strategy.

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Our secret to unlocking +90% engagement rates

We've found that people are much more engaged when content is delivered as either:

• No nonsense actions: What do they need to know to get back to their work.
• More interesting, novel approaches: Think about more creative ways to tell narratives that innovate and engage like choose-your-own-adventure training packages, advice columns etc.

At Hoxhunt, we work off a pretty simple rule of thumb...

If we're having fun making training content, chances are someone will have fun completing it - and this what drives real engagement and behavior change.

When using these approaches, we tend to see engagement rates around the 90% range.

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Building a human risk management program

Ultimately, security awareness training is one element of a broader human risk management strategy.

When it comes to training, real impact comes when training respects the audience’s time, provides what they actually need to act, and leverages narratives to create emotional memory anchors.

By focusing on essential topics, delivering them through engaging, personalized experiences, and measuring behavior change - not just completion rates - organizations can transform security awareness from a compliance checkbox into a powerful risk reduction tool.

Human risk reduction isn't a one-time project.

It's a continuous journey.

By consistently reinforcing these topics through regular training, simulations, and real-world examples, you can build a culture of security that serves as your organization's most resilient defense against evolving threats.

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Simplify awareness and ensure compliance with Hoxhunt

At Hoxhunt, we make security awareness training simple, scalable, and highly effective.

Our platform personalizes training based on each employee's behavior, role, and risk profile - turning mandatory learning into an engaging, rewarding experience.

Employees face adaptive micro-trainings and real-world phishing simulations that fit into their daily workflow, reinforcing key security behaviors through positive repetition and immediate feedback.

Hoxhunt takes the hassle out of meet compliance requirements (like ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, and DORA) without compromising engagement.

Our compliance coverage is mapped intelligently to relevant frameworks, helping security and compliance teams demonstrate effectiveness easily.