Employees are the first line of defence against cyberattacks so, for this reason, cybersecurity is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone within an organisation. With more than 90 per cent of data breaches occurring due to human error, it’s clear that staff must be comprehensively trained in all aspects of cybersecurity.
While many organisations provide initial cybersecurity training for employees, relying on a one-off session is not enough. Over time, staff forget important security protocols, cyberthreats evolve, and lapses in judgement can lead to costly mistakes. Regular cybersecurity refresher training is essential to keep businesses robustly protected against cyber risks.
Even the most well-intentioned employees can make mistakes, especially when they’re overwhelmed, distracted, or tired. Often, cybercriminals rely on human error to bypass security systems, using tactics such as phishing emails, social engineering, or malware disguised as legitimate files. If employees don’t regularly practise secure behaviour, they may fall into bad habits, such as reusing passwords, clicking on suspicious links, or neglecting to install software updates.
Refresher training helps to reinforce good security habits so that safe practices become second nature. In the same way that fire drills prepare people for emergency evacuations, regular cybersecurity training ensures employees instinctively recognise and respond to threats, even on days when they might not be thinking clearly.
Employees who aren’t regularly updated on cybersecurity best practices may not realise when their actions expose the business to risk. For instance, an employee who hasn’t undertaken training in the past year might not know how to identify a deepfake scam call or understand why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now essential. Cybercriminals take advantage of gaps in employees’ knowledge, using these vulnerabilities to launch sophisticated attacks that target uninformed or complacent staff.
By scheduling periodic cybersecurity training, businesses can ensure that employees remain informed about the latest risks and effective countermeasures. A proactive approach helps to close security gaps before attackers can exploit them.
The cybersecurity landscape is always changing. While yesterday’s security threats – such as simple phishing emails – haven’t gone away, they have also evolved into more sophisticated attacks, including AI scams, ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS), and advanced credential theft. Organisations that fail to keep employees updated on emerging threats risk falling behind in their cyber defences.
Regular refresher training allows businesses to educate employees on new attack methods and security protocols. Topics such as password security, device protection, and secure remote work practices should be revisited frequently to ensure employees remain vigilant and understand what to do if they suspect a cyberattack.
Enforcing cybersecurity is a continuous process and at Vantage IT, we’re here to help. We can provide expert advice and robust tools that will help your business to repel the most advanced of cyberattacks.
To find out more, please request a callback from a member of our team today.
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20/08/2025
