1. Purpose
The purpose of this Security Awareness and Training Policy is to establish requirements for educating and training personnel on information security risks, responsibilities, and best practices.
Employees and other authorized users play a critical role in protecting organizational information assets. Security awareness and training programs help reduce the likelihood of security incidents caused by human error, social engineering, phishing attacks, improper handling of information, and non-compliance with security requirements.
This policy establishes a framework for delivering ongoing security awareness education and role-based training to ensure personnel understand their security responsibilities and contribute to maintaining a secure operating environment.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All employees
- Contractors
- Consultants
- Temporary personnel
- Interns
- Third-party personnel with access to organizational systems or information
This policy applies to all organizational departments, business units, systems, applications, and information assets.
3. Policy Statement
The organization shall maintain a formal Security Awareness and Training Program designed to promote security-conscious behavior, improve understanding of cybersecurity risks, and ensure personnel fulfill their information security responsibilities.
All personnel shall complete required security awareness and training activities as a condition of obtaining and maintaining access to organizational systems, information, and facilities.
Security awareness and training activities shall be conducted on an ongoing basis and shall be appropriate to an individual’s role, responsibilities, and level of access.
4. Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to:
- Promote a culture of security awareness.
- Reduce the risk of security incidents caused by human error.
- Improve employee recognition of cybersecurity threats.
- Support compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
- Ensure personnel understand their security responsibilities.
- Strengthen the organization’s overall security posture.
- Provide role-based security education where required.
- Encourage timely reporting of security concerns and incidents.
5. Definitions
Security Awareness
Activities designed to increase general understanding of security risks, threats, and responsibilities.
Security Training
Structured instruction that develops knowledge and skills necessary to perform security-related responsibilities.
Social Engineering
Techniques used to manipulate individuals into disclosing information or performing actions that compromise security.
Phishing
Fraudulent communications designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, opening malicious attachments, or visiting malicious websites.
Role-Based Training
Specialized security training tailored to an individual’s job responsibilities and access privileges.
6. Roles and Responsibilities
Executive Management
Responsible for:
- Supporting the Security Awareness and Training Program.
- Providing necessary resources.
- Promoting a culture of security throughout the organization.
Information Security Team
Responsible for:
- Developing awareness materials.
- Managing training programs.
- Conducting security awareness activities.
- Monitoring completion and effectiveness.
- Reporting program metrics.
Human Resources
Responsible for:
- Supporting onboarding training requirements.
- Maintaining training records where applicable.
- Coordinating employee participation.
Managers and Supervisors
Responsible for:
- Ensuring personnel complete required training.
- Reinforcing security expectations.
- Supporting awareness initiatives.
Employees and Authorized Users
Responsible for:
- Completing required training.
- Following security policies and procedures.
- Applying security practices in daily activities.
- Reporting suspected security incidents.
7. Security Awareness Program
The organization shall maintain an ongoing Security Awareness Program designed to educate personnel about information security risks and responsibilities.
The program shall address topics including:
- Information security fundamentals
- Phishing awareness
- Social engineering threats
- Password security
- Multi-factor authentication
- Data protection requirements
- Acceptable use requirements
- Secure remote work practices
- Mobile device security
- Physical security awareness
- Incident reporting procedures
- Privacy and confidentiality obligations
Security awareness materials may be delivered through:
- Online training
- Instructor-led sessions
- Newsletters
- Email campaigns
- Posters
- Security bulletins
- Awareness events
- Simulated exercises
8. Security Awareness Training Requirements
All personnel shall complete security awareness training:
- Upon hire or onboarding
- Before receiving access to organizational systems when feasible
- Annually thereafter
- Following significant security incidents when appropriate
- When major security policy changes occur
Completion of required training shall be documented.
9. New Employee Security Training
New personnel shall receive security awareness training as part of the onboarding process.
Training shall include:
- Information security responsibilities
- Acceptable use requirements
- Password requirements
- Data handling expectations
- Incident reporting procedures
- Security policy awareness
- Physical security requirements
New personnel shall acknowledge applicable security policies.
10. Annual Security Training
All personnel shall complete annual security awareness training covering current threats, organizational policies, and security best practices.
Annual training shall be updated periodically to address:
- Emerging threats
- New technologies
- Regulatory requirements
- Organizational changes
- Lessons learned from incidents
11. Role-Based Security Training
Personnel with specialized responsibilities shall receive additional training appropriate to their roles.
Examples include:
Information Technology Personnel
Training topics may include:
- Secure system administration
- Vulnerability management
- Secure configuration management
- Access control administration
- Incident response
Software Developers
Training topics may include:
- Secure coding practices
- Application security
- Vulnerability prevention
- Secure development lifecycle requirements
Management Personnel
Training topics may include:
- Risk management
- Security governance
- Incident response responsibilities
- Regulatory obligations
Personnel Handling Sensitive Information
Training topics may include:
- Data protection requirements
- Privacy obligations
- Secure information handling
- Regulatory compliance requirements
12. Phishing and Social Engineering Awareness
Personnel shall receive training designed to help identify and respond to social engineering attacks.
Topics shall include:
- Phishing emails
- Spear phishing attacks
- Business email compromise
- Fraudulent phone calls
- Impersonation attempts
- Malicious links and attachments
- Credential theft attempts
Personnel shall be instructed to report suspected phishing attempts immediately.
13. Simulated Phishing Exercises
The organization may conduct simulated phishing exercises to evaluate awareness and reinforce training.
Results may be used to:
- Identify training needs
- Measure awareness effectiveness
- Improve security culture
- Reduce organizational risk
Results shall be handled appropriately and used for educational purposes.
14. Remote Work Security Awareness
Personnel working remotely shall receive guidance regarding:
- Secure home networks
- Remote access security
- Device protection
- Secure handling of information
- Physical security considerations
- Use of approved technologies
Remote workers remain responsible for complying with organizational security requirements.
15. Security Communications
The organization shall provide ongoing security communications to reinforce awareness.
Communications may include:
- Security alerts
- Threat advisories
- Newsletters
- Awareness campaigns
- Educational materials
- Lessons learned from incidents
Security communications shall be distributed as appropriate to relevant personnel.
16. Policy and Procedure Awareness
Personnel shall be informed of applicable security policies and procedures.
Awareness activities shall include:
- Policy distribution
- Policy acknowledgment
- Policy updates
- Security reminders
Personnel are responsible for understanding and complying with applicable requirements.
17. Incident Reporting Awareness
Training shall emphasize the importance of timely incident reporting.
Personnel shall be instructed on how to report:
- Security incidents
- Phishing attempts
- Suspicious activity
- Lost or stolen devices
- Unauthorized access attempts
- Data exposure concerns
Prompt reporting helps reduce organizational risk and supports incident response efforts.
18. Training Records
The organization shall maintain records of required training activities.
Records may include:
- Completion dates
- Training content
- Attendance records
- Assessment results
- Acknowledgments
Training records shall be retained according to organizational record retention requirements.
19. Program Effectiveness
The Security Awareness and Training Program shall be periodically evaluated.
Evaluation methods may include:
- Completion rates
- Knowledge assessments
- Phishing simulation results
- Security incident trends
- Employee feedback
- Audit findings
Program improvements shall be implemented where appropriate.
20. Non-Compliance
Personnel who fail to complete required training within established timeframes may be subject to:
- Reminder notifications
- Escalation to management
- Temporary suspension of access privileges
- Additional corrective actions as determined by management
21. Exceptions
Exceptions to this policy must:
- Be documented
- Include business justification
- Be approved by management
- Be reviewed periodically
Approved exceptions shall be limited and appropriately documented.
22. Compliance and Auditing
Compliance with this policy shall be verified through:
- Training completion reviews
- Internal audits
- Compliance assessments
- Security program reviews
Findings shall be documented and addressed through corrective action processes.
23. Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in:
- Removal of system access
- Disciplinary action
- Contract termination
- Legal action where applicable
24. Review and Maintenance
This policy shall be reviewed:
- At least annually
- Following significant regulatory changes
- Following major organizational changes
- Following significant security incidents
Updates shall be approved by executive management.
25. Related Policies
- Information Security Policy
- Acceptable Use Policy
- Access Control Policy
- Incident Response Policy
- Data Classification Policy
- Remote Access Policy
- Vendor Management Policy
- Human Resources Security Policy
26. Policy Approval
Policy Owner: Information Security Manager
Approved By: Executive Management
Effective Date: __________________
Review Date: __________________
Version: 1.0