Why Today’s Phishing Exercises (Simulations) Are Mostly Stupid?

The “Cybersecurity Awareness” Paradox

There’s something almost ironic about cybersecurity awareness: on one hand, cybersecurity is the lifeline that can make or break a company in the event of a breach, with millions of dollars and reputations on the line; on the other hand, it is so unpopular among employees that most training programs end up being ineffective.

What Is Happening?

Breaches are on the rise, and human error continues to be the number one reason behind these costly incidents. In fact, according to the latest IBM Cost of Data Breach Report, compromised credentials and phishing account for nearly 47%of successful attacks (1). These are not highly sophisticated hacking techniques but attacks targeting inexperienced, careless, or overconfident employees.

Naturally, companies invest heavily in cybersecurity tools, but without well-trained employees, even the best software is no match for today’s ever-evolving cyber threats. The data is clear: employee training is the most effective factor in reducing cyber damage, slashing breach costs significantly .

The problem is – despite its proven importance, cybersecurity training is often treated as a checkbox task – something to be endured, rather than valued.

You Might Ask:

"But why do most employees find cybersecurity training so unpopular, boring, and ineffective? And more importantly, how does Cyberdise address these pain points in a way that actually works?"

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The 10 Reasons Why Cybersecurity Training is Unpopular:

1. Lack of Time or Competing Priorities

Most employees are already overwhelmed with their day-to-day tasks, so squeezing in cybersecurity training feels like just another burden.

What we do: We offer short micro-trainings that are designed to be completed under 5 minutes that fit seamlessly into employees’ schedules. No long, drawn-out sessions.

2. Human Nature

Many employees don’t believe they are targets of cyberattacks. They see cybersecurity as someone else’s problem or something that doesn’t relate to their daily work.

What we do: Cyberdise allows full customization, making it possible to send out company-tailored phishing simulations that mirror real-world threats employees might face - making it personal and much more engaging.

3. Overly Technical and Nerdy Content

Cybersecurity can feel like a maze of jargon and technical terms. For most people, that’s intimidating, which causes them to tune out.

What we do: Our training breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand, jargon-free language. We cater to employees who aren’t security experts, so they can grasp the essentials without feeling lost.

4. Boring Content

Let’s face it: traditional cybersecurity training can be mind-numbing. Long, text-heavy slides and monotonous videos are a sure way to lose attention of your audience.

What we do: We use interactive and engaging content like quizzes, gamification, and real-life case studies. Employees stay involved and retain more because they’re actively participating.

5. Overconfidence

Some employees believe they already know enough about cybersecurity, which leads them to skip or ignore training.

What we do: Cyberdise uses real data and current trends to challenge overconfidence. By showing employees how cyber threats evolve, we help them understand the importance of continual learning.

6. Fear and Negative Association

Cybersecurity training is often framed around threats and penalties for failure. This makes it something employees dread, rather than see as helpful.

What we do: Instead of scaring employees, we focus on empowerment. Our training shows them how they can be a critical line of defense, flipping the narrative from fear to confidence.

7. Long and Infrequent Sessions

Infrequent, lengthy training sessions often cause employees to forget what they’ve learned, making the training ineffective.

What we do: At Cyberdise, we offer ongoing, bite-sized training modules. These can be consumed regularly, keeping the knowledge fresh and relevant.

8. One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Most trainings don’t consider the varying levels of cybersecurity knowledge among employees, presenting the same content to everyone, regardless of their background.

What we do: We tailor our programs to the needs of beginners, intermediate, and advanced users, ensuring each employee gets the right level of information for their expertise.

9. Human Resistance to Change

It’s human nature to resist change, and that includes cybersecurity practices. Employees are often reluctant to adopt new habits, especially when they feel inconvenient.

What we do: We integrate practical tips and best practices into our training that employees can easily incorporate into their daily routines, reducing friction and resistance.

10. No Incentive System

Many employees don’t see a clear benefit to completing cybersecurity training. They’re not motivated to engage when there’s no incentive.

What we do: Cyberdise includes gamified elements with rewards and recognition for completing modules. Employees can track their progress, gain rewards, and even compete with colleagues.