13 Top Cyber Security Awareness Training Topics You Should Cover

Understanding the effectiveness of security awareness training topics is important to help employees understand and minimise cyber threats at work.

Keeping sensitive and confidential information secure for businesses is a top priority, but human error remains one of the leading causes of cyber security breaches and incidents. That's why having a strong cybersecurity awareness training programme is crucial.

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve rapidly in the UK, with a significant rise in data breaches and cyber attacks over the past year.

Recent statistics show that in 2024, 84% of UK businesses experienced a phishing attack, while 60% saw some form of malware. These numbers highlight the growing importance of comprehensive security awareness campaigns and employee training.

In this blog post, we will walk through the 13 top cyber security awareness topics your employees should focus on to stay safe and secure.

1. Phishing Awareness and Prevention

Phishing attacks are the most common methods cyber criminals use to access sensitive data. In a phishing attack, scammers send fraudulent emails that trick employees into revealing confidential information such as passwords or account details.

Phishing awareness training helps employees identify phishing attempts, teaching them to check for suspicious links, unexpected attachments, and signs of a phishing scam to mitigate cyber-attacks.

There was a 65% increase in phishing attacks targeting remote workers during hybrid working transitions in the UK. For example, a fake email from "Royal Mail" asking employees to pay a small fee for a package delivery led to thousands of accounts being compromised.

Common Types of Phishing include:

Vishing

Vishing is voice phishing which is done over the phone. In this attack, the scammers call and pretend to be from a trusted organisation, like your bank or a government office.

They might say there’s an urgent issue with your account and ask you to share sensitive details such as your password, PIN or OTP.

Smishing

Smishing is SMS phishing which happens through text messages. In this attack, scammers send fake messages that look like they have come from a trusted source, such as your bank or a delivery service to gain access.

The text contains a link or asks you to reply with personal information. Clicking on the link could take you to a fake website or install malware on your phone.

Quishing

Quishing is a type of phishing that uses QR codes to trick people. Scammers place fake QR codes in emails, messages, or printed materials, which may take you to a malicious website or install harmful software on your device.

To train employees effectively:

• Recognise phishing signs: Suspicious links, unexpected attachments, grammatical errors, or a mismatch between the sender’s name and email address.

• Verify before clicking: Always confirm with the sender through another communication channel before opening any links or attachments.

• Report phishing Attacks: Encourage employees to report suspicious messages immediately through the organisation's internal IT helpdesk.

2. Use of Passwordless Authentication

With more sophisticated attacks targeting password-protected accounts, passwordless authentication is becoming a popular alternative.

Therefore, to consider the evolving changes in cybersecurity, the 2025 Cyber Essentials update introduced passwordless authentication, a new technology for accessing accounts.

As defined by the NCSC, passwordless authentication is a method that utilises factors other than user knowledge to establish identity. These factors include biometric data, physical devices, one-time codes, QR codes, and push notifications.

Passwordless authentication is gaining popularity due to its enhanced security, elimination of password fatigue, quicker login experiences, and reduced password management.

Why This is Important:

• Passwordless authentication reduces the risk of stolen or weak passwords.

• It simplifies the login process for users.

• It adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to gain unauthorised access.

Therefore, employees must be provided training on passwordless authentication and how to use it effectively in the workplace.

Key security training points should include:

• Understanding what passwordless authentication is, and its importance

• Different types of passwordless authentication

• How to use passwordless authentication with step-by-step instructions

3. Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing the cybersecurity landscape, for defenders and attackers. AI is making cyberattacks more sophisticated and harder to detect, but it is also a powerful tool for strengthening defence mechanisms.

AI improves cybersecurity defences through threat detection and prediction, behavioural analysis, automated incident response, and AI-driven security tools.

In addition, it assists organisations in vulnerability management by automating tasks such as penetration testing and zero-day threat detection.

However, the use of AI also introduces security risks, including automated phishing, AI-powered malware, and deepfake technology.

Therefore, training employees to understand AI’s role in cybersecurity equips them to recognise the benefits, potential threats and risks of AI-driven technologies.

Security training points should include:

• Understanding AI’s Impact: Employees must know how AI can be both a tool for defence and a weapon for attackers.

• Using AI-Powered Security Tools: Training should cover the use of AI-based tools for detecting threats and responding to incidents.

• Staying Updated on AI: Regular training updates are essential to keep employees informed on the latest AI developments in cybersecurity.

• Ethical Considerations: Employees should understand the ethical issues related to AI in cybersecurity, including privacy and company data use.

4. Data Protection and Sensitive Information Handling

Sensitive data, such as personal information or financial records, should be handled with great care. Employees need to be trained on data protection policies, including how to securely handle, store, and transmit sensitive information.

Protecting company data is not just a legal requirement; it’s vital for maintaining trust with customers and stakeholders. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) outlines stringent requirements for handling personal data.

Recent UK stats show that over £1.2 billion in fines were issued for GDPR violations in 2023 alone, highlighting the need for organisations to ensure compliance.

Key security training points should include:

• Understanding what personal data is: Personal data can include names, email addresses, phone numbers, and financial details.

• How to securely handle personal data: Teach employees about encryption, anonymisation, and data retention policies.

• Consequences of non-compliance: Explain the financial and reputational damage that could result from a data breach.

• Data breach reporting: Employees should know how to report a data breach promptly to mitigate its effects.

5. Recognising and Reporting Social Engineering Attacks

A social engineering attack involves manipulating individuals into revealing sensitive information. Attackers often pose as trusted sources to gain access to sensitive data.

A key security awareness topic is to teach employees to be cautious of suspicious requests for information, particularly through phone calls, emails, or in person.

Common types include:

• Pretexting: When attackers pose as a trusted individual to extract information.

• Tailgating: When an unauthorised person follows an employee into a restricted area.

• Baiting: Leaving infected USB drives in the workplace, hoping employees will plug them into their systems.

Security training should include:

• Recognising examples of common social engineering tactics, such as unsolicited requests for confidential information.

• How to verify identities: Always authenticate anyone requesting sensitive data by contacting them through official channels.

• Reporting suspicious behaviour: Encourage employees to report any unexpected interactions with strangers inside or outside the organisation.

6. Strong Password & Authentication Security

Weak passwords are a major security risk, giving hackers easy access to accounts. Employees must understand the importance of creating strong passwords and using different passwords for multiple accounts. Security awareness training should cover best practices such as using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Weak passwords are one of the simplest ways cybercriminals gain unauthorised access to systems. Recent UK data from 2024 found that 23% of breaches involved weak passwords.

Also, multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer to password security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods.

Security training should highlight the following:

• Businesses should encourage using strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and contain a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, avoid common phrases like "Password123" or "qwerty".

• Using unique passwords for each account to minimise damage if one account is compromised.

• Regularly updating passwords and avoiding reuse across multiple accounts.

• Password managers: These tools help employees securely store and generate strong, unique passwords for each account.

• Explain the benefits of using two-factor or multi-factor authentication to raise employee awareness.

7. Physical Security of Devices and Data

Physical security is often overlooked in cyber security discussions. However, physical assets like computers, mobile phones, and removable media can also pose a risk, if not properly secured.

Therefore, employees should be aware of the importance of locking their personal devices and preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information.

In this digital age, physical data security remains crucial. In 2024, 22% of UK data breaches involved physical security lapses, such as lost devices or unauthorised access to restricted areas.

Key points to cover include:

• Securing devices: Lock laptops and mobile devices when not in use and avoid leaving them unattended in public spaces.

• Recognising tailgating: Teach employees to be cautious of individuals trying to follow them into secure areas without proper identification.

• Badging and access cards: Employees should never share their access cards and should report any lost or stolen credentials immediately.

8. Incident Response and Reporting Security Incidents

Employees need to understand what to do in the event of a security breach or a suspected cyber-attack.

A clear incident response protocol should be part of the security awareness training programme so employees can report security incidents immediately, allowing the security team to take swift action.

No matter how robust your security practices are, incidents will still happen. What matters is how quickly and effectively you respond.

In 2024, businesses that reported incidents within 72 hours were 40% more likely to avoid major and costly data losses.

Training should focus on:

• How to report an incident: Employees need to know the proper channels and contacts for reporting security concerns or breaches.

• What constitutes an incident: Teach staff how to recognise and report phishing attempts, security breaches, malware infections, and suspicious behaviour.

• Response procedures: Outline what steps the incident response team will take and how employees can assist in containment.

9. Mobile Device Security

With more employees using mobile phones and other mobile devices for work, mobile security is a growing concern. Cyber security awareness training should educate employees on protecting their personal devices from security threats.

With the rise in remote and hybrid work, 74% of UK employees use mobile devices for work purposes. This has led to increased risks of security breaches due to lost or stolen devices and unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Training should focus on:

• Securing mobile devices: Teach employees to set strong PINs or passwords, enable encryption, and turn on remote wipe capabilities in case of theft.

• Avoiding public Wi-Fi: Public networks are vulnerable to eavesdropping, so employees should avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi unless using a VPN.

• Keeping apps and devices updated: Regular updates patch known security vulnerabilities.

10. Cloud Security Awareness

Many companies use cloud services to store sensitive information, but this comes with its own set of security risks. Training and educating employees on cloud security best practices is critical to ensuring company data is safe.

As organisations increasingly rely on cloud services, employees must understand the potential risks involved. In 2024, 89% of UK companies used cloud-based solutions, but 45% of breaches involved poorly configured cloud settings.

Your training should explain:

• The shared responsibility model: Employees should understand what aspects of cloud security they are responsible for and what the cloud provider covers.

• Secure cloud storage: Encourage encrypting data before uploading it to the cloud and limiting access to sensitive files.

• The risks of third-party apps: Teach employees to avoid connecting unauthorised third-party apps to cloud accounts, which could introduce security vulnerabilities.

11. Malware and Ransomware Awareness

Malicious software, or malware, includes viruses, ransomware, and other harmful programmes that can compromise computer systems. Employees must be trained to avoid downloading suspicious files or clicking on unsafe links, which could infect company devices with malware.

Malware, including ransomware, can cause severe financial and reputational damage to organisations. In 2024, ransomware attacks in the UK cost businesses an estimated £1.8 billion, highlighting the growing threat.

Security awareness training should explain:

• How malware spreads: Most malware is delivered via email attachments, infected websites, or malicious downloads.

• Recognising signs of malware: unexpected pop-ups, slow computer performance, and strange files can all indicate malware infections.

• The importance of updates: Regular software updates help protect systems from known vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.

12. Removable Media Security

Removable media like USB drives can carry malware or lead to costly data breaches if lost or stolen. Awareness training should highlight the risks associated with using removable media and how to handle them securely.

Removable media, such as USB drives, external hard drives, and memory cards, are commonly used to transfer files between devices. However, these tools pose a significant security risk if not handled properly.

Cybercriminals can easily load malicious software (malware) onto these devices, and once plugged into a computer system, the malware can infect the entire network. Additionally, if a USB drive containing sensitive data is lost or stolen, it can lead to a severe data breach.

Best practices:

• Scan for Malware: Always scan devices with anti-virus software before use.

• Avoid Untrusted Devices: Do not use unknown or unsecured USB drives; report them to IT instead.

• Encrypt Data: Use encryption to protect sensitive information on removable media.

• Follow Company Policies: Adhere to device control policies restricting USB use.

• Backup Data: Regularly back up important files to secure systems like cloud services.

13. Public Wi-Fi Networks: Risks and Best Practices

Public Wi-Fi are often unsecured, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. Employees must understand the risks of using public Wi-Fi and be trained to protect their personal and sensitive information when accessing such networks.

The web is full of potential dangers, and email remains one of the most common entry points for malware. In 2024, malware delivered via email increased by 32% across UK businesses.

Your security awareness training should cover:

• Safe browsing habits: Encourage employees to avoid visiting unsecured websites (non-HTTPS) and clicking on unknown links.

• Recognising suspicious emails: Look for email addresses that don’t match the sender’s name or unexpected attachments.

• Avoiding downloads from untrusted sources: Download files from reputable websites and always scan them with antivirus software before opening.

Summary

Some of the most common security awareness training topics include phishing awareness, password protection and multifactor authentication, professional social networking sites, social engineering attacks, public Wi-Fi safety, removable media, mobile device security, responsible internet and email use, cloud security, BYOD policy and malware.

Businesses should keep the cyber security topics and training programmes engaging, up-to-date, and inclusive of real-world examples to encourage employees to remain vigilant and proactive in the face of various cyber-attacks and threats.

For more information on security awareness training topics, please don’t hesitate to contact Aztech.