Top Cyber Security Awareness Training Topics 2024

 

Are you seeking inspiration for security awareness training ideas? Look no further! Our comprehensive list of topics covers everything from fundamental concepts to industry-specific regulations. 

Whether you need to train your finance team or want to tailor your training to a particular sector, we've got you covered. 

Simply use the drop-down menu above ⬆️ to explore our broad categories and find quick lists to kick-start your planning.

Suggestions for topics not included? Send your insights to community@wizer-training.com and we’ll update our list and credit you!

General Security Awareness Topics

In this section, we provide a list of foundational subjects of the key building blocks required for a successful security awareness program. Note that these are merely starter ideas and not a comprehensive list.

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  • Authentication Best Practices
  • Browsing the Internet
  • Data Handling Best Practices
  • Data Security 
  • Email Security
  • General Awareness
  • Incident Response
  • Malware 
  • Mobile Security
  • Password Safety and MFA Basics
  • Phishing Basics
  • Physical Security
  • Privacy and PII
  • Remote Access
  • Sending Data Over Insecure Networks
  • Shadow IT
  • Social Engineering
  • Social Media

Trending Security Awareness Topics

The world is changing, Deep Fake is everywhere. We need to up our games when it comes to security awareness. This video is one of many examples of how to educate employees on real-world instances to raise their awareness.

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Here are a few trending topics your employees should be aware of in 2023:


 

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Role Based Security Awareness Topics

The security awareness topics that employees need to be familiar with will vary based on their specific role within the organization. 

Therefore, certain subjects or attacks may only be relevant to certain groups. For instance, the finance team may receive more phishing attempts disguised as payroll changes, whereas developers must be well-versed in secure coding practices.

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Below are various role-based categories to focus trainings on:

  • Customer Support
    • Call Center

  • Developers
    • OWASP 10

  • DevOp
    • Managing Databases and Internal Services
    • Storage Buckets with Sensitive Information
    • Extremely Excessive Permissions
    • Extremely Open Firewall Rules
    • Shared Network
    • Unpatched Infrastructure
    • Encryption
    • Storing secrets
    • Open Source management
    • DDoS Prevention
    • API Security
    • Backups management
    • Kubernetes Security
    • Static scanners
    • Cloud Security

  • Executive Leadership
    • Why Is Security Awareness Important
    • The ROI of Security Awareness Training
    • Why Criminals Target Executives
    • How to Develop a Security Culture

  • Finance
    • Wire Fraud
    • Macros
    • Vendor Fraud
    • CEO Fraud
  • HR
    • New Employee Onboarding
    • Hiring Talent
    • Ethics
    • Anti-Bribery
    • Sexual Harassment 
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • IT 

    • Best Practices Before Installing New Software
    • Best Practices When Installing New Software
    • Best Practices After Installing New Software
    • Working with 3rd Parties
    • Working with Customers

Industry Specific Security Awareness Topics

Each industry is targeted differently by cyber attackers. Industrial control systems (ICS) won’t experience threats in the same manner the Financial industry will, which is why it’s important to customize trainings with language and situations relevant to each.

The real-life story dramatized below is a great example of how to educate employees on specific threats relevant to ICS.

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Here are a few ideas for security awareness training topics by industry to help you get started:

  • Education

      • General Training (see above)
      • FERPA
      • Bloodborne Pathogens
      • FERPA
      • CIPA
      • FOIA
      • Seclusion and Restraint Awareness
      • Title IX
      • Confidentiality
  • Energy & Oil
      • General Training (see above)
      • Industrial Control System Security
  • Federal Government 
      • CJIS
      • CUI
      • CMMC
      • Insider Threat
  • Financial
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
      • General Training (see above)
      • PCI
      • Data Security
      • PII
  • Startups

 

Compliance & Regulations Training Topics

If you're doing business digitally there’s some level of compliance and regulation required across the board, even if it’s just to satisfy insurance requirements (but we hope your training will be more than that, it’s worth it!).

Compliance training doesn’t have to be mind-numbing but it does have to cover the basics, like this 1.5 minute video from our GDPR video series.

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Below are some of the more common topics your business may need to ensure training and compliance:

  • PCI
  • GDPR
  • CCPA
  • POPIA
  • CJIS
  • GLBA
  • UK Bribery Act 2010
  • OFAC