How do you make security training fun and engaging for your employees?

The trainee is already sitting in the chair. That means they are willing to listen. Don't try to WOW them with big words and statements like, "totality of circumstances". Make it simple and something they can remember, like "see, say and report". Don't try to impress trainees with big words.

I think we can make security trainings fun, by designing concepts easy to understand. keeping the lecture videos short with interactive quiz sessions and use of little animation to make it interesting.

I have been very lucky to have trained people in a number of different fields firstly traditional karate training myself since 1970 this is my passion first as an instructor leave any ego at the entrance remember to go back to when you first started training yourself and build from there As in security I wrote one of the very first close protection courses in 1999 aimed the civilian market It’s important to relate reality all the time it’s not just about teaching it’s about building up confidence being an operator as well as a trainer it does help as you can identify with the group Again leaving the ego at the door people learn in many ways find that mark always offer support and always ask for feedback to help them I hope this is helpful

I trained an employee and gave him the 6 second version of his boring 8 hour orientation. Almost a year later, when he perfectly responded to an incident, he reminded me about those three words I shared with him when he started. Truly a long story, but trust me; it works.

To break up the monotony of the security class training subject, I show some comedic videos from the Youtube channel that pertain to the exact security subject being taught. I found the class enjoys it thoroughly and makes the class a little bit more enjoyable.

Convey to them the importance of what they are doing. Let them know that by looking like a hard target, you may change someone’s mind of attacking what they are protecting. Train them on suspicious actions and mannerisms that they can observe from a distance, so the threat doesn’t get to their personal space. We all know that security can be very boring, I was Air Force Security Forces for 16 years after working an electronics career field for 20 years. Without the training and the employee buying into the mission, the $18 an hour that I see a lot of companies want to pay doesn’t do much to motivate actively scanning for potential threats.

Understanding your employees' knowledge levels and learning preferences is key to designing effective training. I’ve found that tailoring content to specific departments or job roles significantly enhances engagement. For instance, developers may respond better to code-based examples, while HR may need scenarios focusing on data privacy. Consider conducting pre-training surveys or assessments to gauge their familiarity with cybersecurity topics. Then, customize the training so it feels relevant and respectful of their existing expertise. Always prioritize language and examples that resonate with their day-to-day challenges.

From my perspective, you can formally conduct a needs analysis if you are teaching a known group. However realize that in some cases what administrators/executives believe their subordinates need training wise, is not what the “man in the arena” really needs. In prior training iterations, I’ve sent out a questionnaire prior to the class that included what you hope to gain from training, and basic job information. This can help me bring in examples, stories or experiences that my students are genuinely interested in.

Using media to drive engagement is always helpful when teaching a large group. Not everyone responds to slide presentations so you may need to pull in some short videos, games, or role play. In my experience, showing a video of how easy it is to access an account using a dictionary attack is one of the most effective ways to get the audiences attention, but don't be afraid to adjust if you see you're losing your audience.

Knowing your audience is crucial. When training cruise line staff, I adapted the content to fit their different experience levels. This ensures everyone is engaged and learning at their own pace.

Wherever possible include practical application exercises, even if all you can manage are thought exercises to stimulate conversation. By all means introduce topics in a lecture setting, but information retention is enhanced from the experience of performing security tasks, coupled with the exchange of relevant ideas and experiences when guided to learning points by a competent instructor.

Interactive learning drastically improves engagement during security training. One method I've used is incorporating live simulations of real-world cyberattacks. For instance, we conducted a mock phishing campaign to test employees' awareness and response. After the simulation, employees could immediately see the results and consequences of their actions in a safe, controlled environment. This hands-on approach not only tested their knowledge but also sparked curiosity and discussions about best practices. We also introduced short, interactive security quizzes at the end of each module, offering instant feedback and tips for improvement. By making the training interactive, employees were more actively involved and retained more information.

Make security training interactive by incorporating gamified elements, quizzes, and scenario-based simulations, allowing employees to actively participate and apply their knowledge in real-world situations. Engage employees through interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, and competitions to enhance learning and retention while fostering a culture of security awareness.

Be VERY cautious about interactivity. Think about what you're asking them to do. If you ask them to do something, make sure it's something relevant to them and not busywork or for the sake of changing things up only. For example, having them stand and hug their neighbor would be a terrible idea. Instead, after you showed them how to scan a specific corporate website for keywords and documents with a search engine, have them try it out. Also, gamification can be a good strategy - just remember that there are a lot of people out there with social anxiety and act accordingly.

Interactive learning is proven to boost retention rates, and in cybersecurity, this could mean hands-on activities like phishing simulations, gamified scenarios, or even escape rooms. Based on my experience, simulations work well because they mimic real threats, forcing employees to make decisions in real-time. This keeps engagement high while reinforcing critical security practices. The key is to mix up your methods—incorporate quizzes, live discussions, and even short, on-the-spot challenges. By varying the format, you keep training fresh and mentally stimulating.

I am a HUGE proponent of practical exercise. Coming from a LE and Military background everyone dreads “death by PowerPoint” and it wastes my time as an instructor. One of the best classes I’ve been a part of (and eventually instructed) uses no more than 60 words in a nearly 1,500 slide PowerPoint slide deck. This puts more back on the instructors to learn their stuff - but the rewards are worth it. Humans are mostly visual learners, videos and pictures are easier to understand and digest, especially when discussing topics that are more theoretical. Neuroplasticity is important because it’s been proven that students learn better when they attach emotion to the concept.

Nothing beats hands-on training. I made our security sessions interactive by simulating a piracy threat onboard. Engaging employees in real-life scenarios helps them better retain the knowledge.

I do this by having a master slide-deck for any of my classes, but always making an addendum for the last day/hour of class time. This goes over relevant news stories, focusing on the techniques of the “bad actors” and how security is always an instance of Tom vs Jerry. I want my students to be able to apply concepts - not just regurgitate facts that I’ve given them. This involves being able to see behavioral cues, or other topics out in the “wild”. Bringing in stories, topics or situations that are new and relevant challenge them to do just that.

Training should always be relevant. We focused on real-world threats like piracy in certain maritime regions, which made the lessons more meaningful to the crew and improved engagement.

Training should connect to the actual threats employees face in their roles. For example, marketing may be more vulnerable to phishing, while finance needs to watch out for spear-phishing or invoice fraud. I always emphasize tying training back to real-world incidents or breaches, which personalizes the learning and drives home the importance of vigilance. Show employees how breaches have affected companies similar to yours, and make it clear that their actions directly impact the organization’s security. This reinforces the "why" behind their participation.

One of the most effective ways to make security training engaging is to show employees how it directly impacts them, both professionally and personally. I once designed a cybersecurity awareness session where employees were asked to secure their personal devices, such as smartphones and laptops, as part of the training. By applying security concepts to their daily lives—such as using two-factor authentication for personal emails or securing social media accounts—they became more invested in the training. This personal approach helped them see security as something that goes beyond the workplace, and it increased their commitment to applying the same principles in both their personal and professional environments.

Personalization is key to breaking through the apathy barrier. One way to do this is to connect cybersecurity practices with employees’ personal lives—such as teaching them how to secure their home Wi-Fi or protect their social media accounts. I've seen that when employees grasp how cybersecurity impacts them personally, they are more likely to transfer those habits to the workplace. Appeal to their self-interest first, then link it back to the organization's security goals. The more personal the content, the more invested they’ll become.

Never underestimate the power of friendly competition. Put another way by a friend of mine Lynn Westover “it pays to be a winner”. I have seen a marked jump in test scores and student satisfaction surveys when prizes are added. This again, puts a little on the instructors to obtain the prizes, but trust me - the juice is well worth the squeeze. If you’re teaching cops - go to the local gun range and get a $25 gift card. If you’re teaching college kids or IT folks, stop by the local coffee shop and get a mug and a pound of their best medium roast. This doesn’t have to be a new BMW, even free company swag can get competitive juices flowing.

Some may see it a corny, in this age of tech, but I still send around a sign in roster that includes email and phone number. This along with intentional seating assignments “forces” networking. One of the last classes I taught had a mix of cops, security personnel from a local hospital and administrators. I never let individuals from the same agency or background sit together if I could help it. Additionally adding in break out discussions help build relationships and bring in new perspectives.

Leverage peer pressure and community engagement by making security training a social experience. Encouraging group activities, team-based competitions, or peer recognition for security achievements can significantly boost motivation. In my experience, introducing leaderboards or group rewards adds a fun, competitive edge to training programs. Employees are more likely to stay engaged when they see their peers actively participating. This social dynamic fosters a collaborative culture of security awareness, rather than viewing it as an individual responsibility.

One-and-done training sessions don’t cut it in cybersecurity. Threats evolve constantly, and so should your training. I've always advocated for a continuous learning model that incorporates regular updates, micro-learning modules, and reminders throughout the year. Consider adding quick refresher emails, monthly security newsletters, or brief video updates. A continuous approach ensures that cybersecurity remains top-of-mind for employees, which in turn builds a more resilient security culture over time.

Think about how you can make security training a positive aspect of your company's culture. It shouldn’t be seen as just another compliance checkbox but as an integral part of employee development. Reward participation, highlight success stories, and make sure that leadership is visibly involved in the training. Employees are more likely to embrace security when they see it valued at all levels.