In our last blog post, we touched on the importance of security awareness training for employees. Here at ControlAltProtect, we’ve recently introduced a new training system, so we thought it would be worthwhile to delve deeper into the topic.
Our CTO rolled out an internal test of a new email security training program. There were a few reasons behind this decision. First, it’s always important to innovate and improve. Second, he wanted our feedback on the delivery method, visual appeal, and overall effectiveness of the program. Finally, he wanted to assess whether this tool would be beneficial for our clients’ training needs.
When we first accessed the module, we were surprised by its cartoonish appearance. Our initial reaction was that it seemed designed for children. However, the training quickly engaged us with a compelling story about a disgruntled customer seeking revenge on a retail outlet. The customer felt mistreated after waiting in the wrong area overnight and missing out on purchasing a hot new tech item. The story drew us in, but halfway through, it paused to ask if we were paying attention, catching me off guard. I quickly realized I needed to focus, as there was likely a test at the end.
As the narrative unfolded, it became even more intriguing. The disgruntled customer, through a phishing email, tricked the retailer into placing a massive order for the hot new product. The email was convincing. It seemed as if the CEO was thrilled with the sales of the new item and eager to stock up. However, the bogus email led to a colossal order being placed. When the shipment and invoice arrived, the purchasing department faced tough questions. The excessive inventory and associated costs threatened the business’s cash flow. Throughout the story, the training highlighted several ways to avoid such situations. And indeed, there was a quiz at the end, with grades sent to our administrator. If we didn’t pass, we had to retake the test.
Initially, the program seemed unremarkable, but each new training module unveiled intriguing insights into the world of cybercrime. If you’re interested in the effectiveness of animated videos, we discovered an enlightening article that explains their powerful impact. The article summarizes a study on how humans process and retain information and why our brains respond so positively to cartoons.
Ultimately, we agreed that this animated style of security awareness training was highly effective. If it could help our team, we were confident it would also protect our clients. While we’ve tested many options, this one emerged as the clear winner for us!
If you’d like more information on how to get this training for your team, feel free to contact us.