Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology issue – it’s a people issue. Employees are often cited as the “weakest link” in security, and for good reason. Studies show that just over one-third of untrained employees (34%) will click on a phishing email or otherwise fall for a phishing test, putting their organization at risk. In fact, human error is blamed for the vast majority of breaches. The good news? With the right security awareness training, that risk can be dramatically reduced – in the same study, phishing click rates dropped to just 4.6% after a year of consistent training. This blog explores why employee security awareness is crucial, how easy it can be to implement, and why Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are turning to platforms like usecure to help businesses strengthen their human firewall. (Bluechip Infotech NZ is an authorized provider of usecure in New Zealand – reach out to us to learn more.)
Why Employees Are the Biggest Cyber Risk
Modern organisations have strong firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems. Yet attackers often bypass all that by targeting people directly. Whether it’s through deceptive phishing emails, unsafe browsing habits, or using unauthorised apps, employees can inadvertently open the door to cyber threats. Key risk factors include:
- Phishing & Social Engineering: Phishing remains one of the top threat vectors. A recent report highlighted that the average employee click-through rate on phishing emails is around 11%, with certain convincing scam emails achieving over 20% click rates. One careless click on a fake “invoice” or “password reset” email can unleash malware or lead to stolen credentials.
- Shadow IT (Unauthorized Apps): Employees often use unsanctioned tools to make their jobs easier – think of a personal file-sharing app or an AI chatbot to speed up work. Unfortunately, this “Shadow IT” can create security blind spots. For example, 60% of employees are predicted to use personal AI tools at work without IT approva, which means sensitive data might be uploaded to external services unknowingly. Unauthorized apps might not be properly secured, opening the door to data leaks and compliance violations.
- Poor Security Habits: Non-IT staff may not realize the importance of things like strong, unique passwords or applying software updates promptly. Attackers exploit this. Reusing passwords or using weak ones means if one account is breached, others fall like dominoes. Likewise, skipping updates leaves known vulnerabilities unpatched. Simple mistakes – like sending an email to the wrong recipient or losing an unencrypted USB drive – can lead to costly data exposures.
The Case for Security Awareness Training
Security awareness training is all about empowering employees with the knowledge and habits to make safe decisions. Rather than lecturing or scaring people, modern programs engage staff with practical lessons so they can recognise threats and avoid risky behaviour. Here’s why a well-designed training program is a must-have for organisations today:
- Reduce Incidents: Training directly lowers the chance of a successful attack. As noted, phishing simulation studies show a dramatic reduction in click rates after training. Fewer clicks on bad links = fewer infections and breaches. It only takes one employee’s mistake to cause a breach, so lowering everyone’s mistake rate is huge for security.
- Build a Security Culture: Regular training keeps cybersecurity at the forefront of people’s minds. Over time, safe practices become second nature. Employees start to double-check email senders, think twice about attachments, and are cautious about which apps they install. This culture of vigilance is often the best defense – an aware team can catch and report threats early.
- Meet Compliance and Avoid Fines: Many data protection regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) require employee training as part of compliance. Having a documented training program helps fulfill these obligations and demonstrates due diligence. It also reinforces company policies (like acceptable use of technology) by educating staff on what’s expected of them.
- Protect Against New Threats: The threat landscape is always changing. For example, as AI tools become common, employees need to learn new guidelines (e.g. not uploading confidential data to ChatGPT). Ongoing training programs can quickly update the workforce about emerging risks and new scam techniques. This agility ensures the team isn’t caught off-guard by novel attack methods.
usecure: Security Training Made Easy (Built for Businesses and MSPs)
Deploying a security awareness program might sound daunting, but platforms like usecure have streamlined the whole process. usecure is a cloud-based solution that automates most of the heavy lifting while tailoring training to each employee’s needs. Here are some reasons usecure stands out for businesses and the MSPs who serve them:
- Quick & Easy Deployment: You can get started with usecure in minutes – there’s no hardware to install or complex setup. Everything is 100% cloud-based and installation-free, with simple configuration steps. This means even a small IT team (or an MSP managing multiple clients) can roll out training company-wide without headaches.
- Personalised, Ongoing Training: One-size-fits-all training is often ineffective. usecure addresses this by first identifying each user’s weakest security areas via a short risk assessment. If an employee struggles with spotting phishing emails but is good with passwords, their training will focus more on phishing. Each user gets a tailored learning path that automatically enrols them in courses to fix their specific gaps. The training courses are delivered in bite-sized modules (micro-learning) with interactive content to keep them engaging. New courses can be sent periodically so that awareness stays fresh year-round.
- Ready-Made Content and Templates: usecure comes with a library of professionally designed training courses – including compliance topics like data protection – so you have instant access to relevant content. You can choose between a more formal, corporate style or a fun, gamified style for the training modules, depending on what fits your culture. For phishing simulations, usecure provides ready-made phishing email templates that can be launched in minutes, covering common attack scenarios. There’s also an option to easily create your own custom courses or phishing templates via a drag-and-drop interface, giving businesses flexibility to address unique threats or company-specific policies.
- Automated Management & Reporting: A huge benefit of usecure is automation. The platform handles sending out training invites, reminders for those who haven’t completed modules, and even weekly progress summaries to managers – all automatically. It also continuously tracks each employee’s “risk score” as they complete training and simulations. Administrators get a clear dashboard to see company-wide risk levels and who might need extra help. Come audit time, you can easily export reports to show who has completed training and how the organisation’s risk has improved. This not only saves IT and HR a ton of time but also provides tangible evidence that the training is working (for example, showing that phishing click rates have dropped significantly among your staff).
- Built for MSPs – Multi-Tenant & White-Label: If you are an MSP managing cybersecurity for multiple clients, usecure is designed with you in mind. It offers a multi-tenanted portal where you can oversee all your client deployments in one place. You can even white-label the platform with your branding, so the training appears as part of your service. With flexible monthly billing and no minimum term, it’s a low-risk, high-value addition to your service stack. By providing usecure’s Human Risk Management as a service, MSPs can help their clients reduce human risk while generating recurring revenue. (Bonus: usecure includes a prospecting tool that lets MSPs run a quick “human risk assessment” for potential customers – a great way to show the value of training by uncovering a new client’s vulnerabilities upfront.)
Every organisation faces the reality that its own people can either be the strongest defence or the weakest link in cybersecurity. Investing in security awareness training is one of the most impactful steps to tilt the odds in the right direction. It’s about creating a workforce that not only avoids pitfalls like phishing and Shadow IT but also actively champions security best practices.
With modern platforms like usecure, launching such a training initiative is easier than ever, and the benefits are tangible – from fewer phishing clicks to peace of mind that compliance requirements are met. Don’t wait for a cyber incident to spark action. Proactively educate and equip your team now.
If you’re interested in elevating your organization’s security awareness, Bluechip Infotech NZ can help you get started with usecure’s human risk management solution. As a provider of usecure in New Zealand, we can provide demos, guidance, and a seamless deployment to suit your business. Contact sales@bluechipit.co.nz to learn how usecure can transform your biggest security risk – your people – into your greatest security asset.
