With the uptick in cyberattacks and threats becoming increasingly persistent and creative in their methodologies, strengthening cybersecurity capabilities has become top of mind for most organizations. Amid the current cyber threat landscape, it’s no longer acceptable for organizations to lack insight into their overall resilience. It’s disappointing that despite 86% of organizations having a cyber resilience program, more than half of those organizations lack a comprehensive approach to assessing their program. So, how do they even know it’s effective?

While the prospect of implementing a cybersecurity training program may be daunting, there are some simple ways businesses can ensure that all employees — not just the security team — are engaging in appropriate cyber resilience practices and that the right protocols are in place to safeguard company data and privacy. To implement, execute and measure an effective cybersecurity program, here are four tips for engaging employees and keeping your enterprise secure.

1. Modernize your traditional training methods.

In the Immersive Labs 2023 Cyber Workforce Resilience Trends Report, 72% of cyber leaders agree that the threat landscape has become increasingly challenging. This means cybercriminals are becoming more versed in the technology solutions, vendor platforms and/or tools organizations are using to protect themselves. Traditional cybersecurity training methods aren’t effective in preparing today’s security teams or workforce. Business leaders too often believe their people are ready to deal with a cyber-attack because they’ve completed training — which can simply mean clicking through a video or sitting through a one-off, traditional training session. This doesn’t prove cyber resilience.

Companies inadvertently spend billions of dollars on cyber tools, often without being able to quantify their true worth with tangible data or training their people on how to use the solutions. The Immersive Labs report also found that more than one-half (64%) of security leaders agree these traditional cybersecurity training methods are insufficient to ensure cyber resilience. Instead, companies must modernize their capabilities and stay up to date on emerging solutions. To apply and transfer new capabilities in cyber resilience, learning leaders must assess employees using real-life examples to simulate a real-world threat and expose skills gaps in order to prepare for the next attack.

2. Your people are your best line of defense.

A well-equipped workforce is your best line of defense against potential cyberattacks, or when a breach inevitably happens. You can almost count on there being an instance in which protocols or technology fail and your people need to be ready to respond. The cyber readiness of the individual could mean the difference between thwarting a breach or opening the gate to a costly ransomware attack. People need to know how to work together to mitigate an attack before one actually occurs.

3. Look for talent beyond certifications.

As attack tactics continue to evolve and exploit emerging technologies, security teams will require continuous skill development within an effective cybersecurity awareness program. While most decision makers say they want to hire cybersecurity experts with the experience and skills to hit the ground running, according to the report, more than half (63%) also say they want to hire with certifications in mind.

Proof of capability isn’t achieved purely through certifications — it also can come from ongoing real-world experience. Leveraging effective people-centric approaches, such as coaching and mentoring, can bolster cybersecurity teams’ capabilities and, in turn, their organization’s cyber resilience.

4. Measure confidence and capabilities.

Proof of cyber capabilities should be non-negotiable when it comes to cybersecurity. However, despite demand for quantifiable evidence, most organizations lack the data. Senior leaders should be sharing breach readiness and incident response results to a greater degree, but according to the report, fewer than 60% actually do so today. Additionally, over one-half (55%) agree their cybersecurity team doesn’t have the data needed to demonstrate readiness to properly respond to cyber threats.

This lack of evidence could result in organizations increasing their cybersecurity budgets without insight into whether technology and training investments are actually worth the price. Instead, ask important questions like:

1. How prepared is the organization for a cyberattack?
2. What are my learners’ strengths and weaknesses?
3. How do learners perform during crisis exercises?

If you don’t know how to measure or prove that you know the answers to these questions, you need to rethink your cybersecurity strategy.

There will never be a one-size-fits-all cybersecurity program since every organization and team has unique needs and demands. Coupled with the growing pressure of business leaders to build successful cybersecurity training programs, implementing a sound resilience strategy can seem like a daunting task. By following these best practices, organizations can build upon their best assets — their people — and identify areas for improvement.