Imagine this: An employee receives an email that appears to come from their manager – with a link that looks completely harmless. One click is enough – and a serious security incident is already underway. What starts as routine communication can quickly become the gateway for phishing, malware, or social engineering attacks.

In today’s working world – shaped by hybrid models, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and cloud-based solutions – it’s no longer just technical vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit. More often, it’s human behavior that opens the door.

While companies invest heavily in firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection, one significant risk factor often remains underestimated: the human element. It’s rarely a matter of unwillingness to follow security policies – more often, employees lack continuous, practical knowledge and an understanding of current threat scenarios. No matter how sophisticated the IT infrastructure is – if employees don’t know what to watch for, it remains vulnerable.

This is exactly where modern security awareness comes in. It’s not an isolated training initiative, but a key component of a holistic cybersecurity strategy. The goal is to create a deep understanding of IT risks – where attacks most frequently begin: with people.

Human Risk Factor: Weak Spot or Security Asset?

Despite mature technologies such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), Zero Trust architectures, and multi-factor authentication, attacks continue to succeed – because they exploit human behavior. Attackers rely on psychological manipulation techniques like CEO fraud or spear phishing. These don’t require technical exploits – they target employee actions directly.

According to a Gartner study, up to 82% of data breaches are caused by unsafe or unintentional employee behavior. Particularly alarming: 69% of employees admit to knowingly bypassing security policies – even though 63% acknowledge that their actions pose a risk to the company.

This makes one thing clear: To protect your organization effectively, the human factor must take center stage. That doesn’t just mean “more training” – it means a fundamental shift in how security is understood. Away from control – and toward empowerment.

Security Awareness Trainings: More Than Just IT Courses

An effective awareness program goes far beyond teaching rules. It builds a mindset around IT security that is embedded in the daily work environment – from recognizing suspicious emails to safely using mobile devices or collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack.

Studies show that IT security training not only reduces the risk of attacks but also has a positive impact on corporate culture. According to Gartner data, there is a great need for action: 65% of employees occasionally or frequently open emails, links or attachments from unknown senders on their work device. 63% save their passwords directly in the browser – often without approval from the company. A well-thought-out awareness program can make a decisive contribution to minimizing risky behavior and promoting a culture of shared security responsibility. A well-designed awareness program can significantly reduce risky behavior and help establish a culture of shared security responsibility.

What doesn’t work: sending out an annual PDF with security tips or running trainings “on the side.” Such one-off actions are ineffective – especially in complex IT environments with remote access, cloud services, and highly decentralized teams.

What Works: Modern Formats, Targeted Messaging

To foster lasting security behavior, awareness initiatives must be clear, relevant, and repeatable. Key success factors include:

  • Customization over one-size-fits-all: Different roles and departments require tailored content. For instance, the IT team should be sensitized to system access attacks, while management needs to be prepared for CEO fraud and compliance risks.
  • Consistency over one-time efforts: Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Trainings must be updated regularly and delivered multiple times per year – ideally via a learning platform with built-in feedback mechanisms.
  • Interactive formats over static content: Formats such as phishing simulations, microlearning modules, video trainings, or gamification increase engagement and retention. An interactive quiz after a module is more effective than a PowerPoint deck.
  • Motivation over obligation: Security awareness can’t be imposed – it must grow organically. This includes respectful communication and involving employees as active contributors to the security culture.
  • Measurable outcomes over assumptions: Only by regularly measuring knowledge retention can training be continuously improved.

How CONVOTIS Supports Companies

With short, practical video trainings, CONVOTIS helps companies strengthen their employees’ security awareness over the long term. Each module is designed to last no more than twelve minutes and can easily be integrated into daily routines – whether in the office, remotely, or on mobile devices.

The training content is based on up-to-date threat scenarios and is continuously updated – covering topics like business email compromise, ransomware, or deepfake scams.

The aim is to empower employees to recognize risks early and respond appropriately in critical moments – whether it’s a suspicious file in Microsoft SharePoint, an unusual login attempt, or a spoofed sender address.

Thanks to regular repetition and a modular structure, a continuous learning curve is established – gradually embedding security awareness into the corporate culture. From individuals to entire teams, this creates digital resilience across the organization.

Security Starts with Awareness

You can implement the best firewall, adopt zero trust principles, and keep every system up to date – but in the end, it’s people who make the difference. Not out of ignorance, but because many everyday security decisions are made under time pressure and without full context.

That’s why security awareness is foundational. It belongs where attackers most often strike: in meetings, inboxes, or phone calls. And it belongs at every level of the organization – not just in IT, but also in finance, administration, and executive leadership.

Security awareness doesn’t end with a click on “I understand.” It begins when employees are ready to take responsibility – for themselves, for their colleagues, and for the company’s cybersecurity.