Security awareness has a reputation problem. It’s often treated as a box to check. Watch a few videos, pass a quiz, and move on.
But that mindset is exactly what’s holding organizations back.
Rich Malewicz recently joined SecureNation’s “The Coffee Table Talk” series with Rachel Arnold and Will McCullen for a conversation around what it really takes to build security habits that last. The discussion cut through the usual buzzwords and got straight to the point: most awareness training doesn't work because it's designed for compliance, not for people.
Here’s what stood out and why it matters.
Let’s be honest. Long videos, outdated examples, and technical jargon don’t help people remember what to do when something feels off. And if they can’t remember it, the risk is still there.
The conversation pointed to a simpler, more effective approach. Short videos. One message at a time. Delivered consistently. Easy to understand and even easier to share.
Security training shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like common sense.
One of the biggest themes was culture. Not just what’s written in a handbook, but how people actually behave day to day.
When employees care about security because it feels relevant to their lives, the results change. They pause before clicking suspicious links. They double-check requests that feel off. They ask questions. That’s the goal.
Meeting compliance is the minimum. Building a strong security culture is what actually reduces risk.
Here are a few takeaways from the stream that hit home:
Security isn't about being perfect. It's about being prepared, staying aware, and knowing how to respond. That starts with a learning environment that invites curiosity, not shame.
Cyber threats are evolving quickly. Deepfakes. MFA fatigue. Vendor impersonation. But even the most sophisticated attack can be stopped by someone who knows what to look for.
The real challenge isn’t knowledge. It’s attention.
If your team zones out during training, try Wizer to keep things short, frequent, and relevant. We don’t throw everything at learners. We give them what they need, when they need it.
If your current program feels more like a checklist than a culture-builder, it might be time for something new.
If you need help building and running a security awareness program that does more than just “check the box”, check out our Wizer Managed Service and let’s see how we can work with you to transform the way your organization approaches a secure mindset.
You can catch the full Coffee Talk conversation here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7312888785044717569/comments/