Training has always been vital to business outcomes. Training can help new hires adjust quickly and can introduce existing workers to new technologies or processes. But in a digital era marked by increasing cybercrime and threats, training employees is perhaps more important than ever before. Having modern training methods that prepare your people for threats is now a crucial part of any business strategy.

What is Cyber Resilience?

It’s estimated that the global cost of cybercrime will reach $13.82 trillion by 2028. This makes cyber resilience a priority for any business that operates online. Cyber resilience refers to how well your organization can respond to or recover from the numerous cyber threats it faces. It covers everything from identifying potential threats through preventing those threats from happening to recovering from the effects caused by a cyberattack.

6 Modern Training Methods to Consider

So, there’s no doubt that your employees will need to be trained in different methods so that your business is fully cyber resilient. But how do you deliver that training?

1.   On-demand learning.

The thing to remember is that traditional classroom training will not always suit all of your employees — or you. Having a training method that fits around their workloads can mean little or no disruption to your business operations. On-demand learning means that your people can learn in their spare time and/or at their own pace. By focusing on shorter modules that can include videos, webinars, gamification and more, you can enable your workforce to learn as they go.

2.   Microlearning.

Maybe your business is always busy? If so, that means your employees have very little time to devote to learning or training. If so, then microlearning can be the ideal solution. It breaks down any pertinent modules into smaller pieces of information that can be easily digested in a shorter time frame. For example, a 60-minute video can broken down into four 15-minute chunks.

3.   Blended learning.

Another thing you need to consider when it comes to modern training methods is where your employees are located. Are they in different locations or working a remote/hybrid model? If so, then you may want to look at blended learning, which combines both traditional and digital training methods over time. With blended learning, your training teams can customize different training packages that meet the needs of your employees.

4.   Mobile learning.

Mobile learning (mLearning) considers not only the fact that your employees may have busy schedules but also that it’s likely that all of them have access to a mobile device. By delivering training materials via mobile devices, you can make it easier and more convenient for them to access learning. Those materials can be everything from an eLearning course to podcasts, webinars or videos. As with other modern training methods, you may consider breaking down modules into easily digestible information.

5.   Workshops.

While workshops can be adapted to meet modern collaborative and cohort-based learning needs. Workshops can also be very useful when it comes to delivering general cyber resilience training and advising employees on the importance of safe digital practices as a team. Learning as a team can increase collaboration, communication skills and problem-solving skills. Additionally, fostering social learning within your organization can greatly enhance cyber resilience. Encourage collaborative discussions, knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning through online forums, chat groups or virtual communities. By leveraging the collective expertise and experiences of your workforce, you can create a culture of continuous learning and strengthen your organization’s ability to navigate cyber threats effectively.

6.   Videos.

Videos can be very effective when it comes to modern training methods. People tend to engage better with and retain information from video content as opposed to traditional text content. You don’t need to produce highly professional videos; it can be done in-house using a smartphone and free editing tools. As with other methods, it can pay to present information in shorter chunks, something that recognizes demands on staff time as well as making any info more digestible.

The Key Takeaway

Your business needs to be prepared for any cyber risks. Utilizing a learning management system (LMS) can be useful when it comes to assigning, monitoring and tracking employees’ learning achievements. Offering training on cyber resilience can not only protect your business, but it can also prepare your employees for business acceleration in a digital age.

It’s important to focus on two things: the needs of your business and the needs of your employees. Recognizing that employees may have limited time or may have different working models can help you design a training regime that meets those needs. With modern training methods that teach cyber resilience effectively, you can train your people to protect the business, and themselves, in the digital era.