Boost your organization’s cybersecurity with ISO 27001 aligned security awareness training. Learn how to design, implement, and unlock cyber resilience through effective information security awareness training programs.

In this article, Pooja Shimpi a cybersecurity leader with expertise in Cybersecurity Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) gives advice on:

• How to comply with ISO 27001/2 through security awareness training
• The essential ingredients for effective security awareness training
• The benefits of achieving ISO 27001/2 compliance
• How to get started today

ISO 27001 compliance is a globally recognized standard for information security, designed to help organizations protect their information assets through a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS) that integrates people, processes, and technology.

ISO/IEC 27001 is the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and it defines requirements an ISMS must meet. Its main goal is to help organizations protect their information assets in a systematic and cost-effective manner through the adoption of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that incorporates people, processes, and technology.

This standard provides companies of any size and from all sectors of activity with guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system.

Conformity with ISO/IEC 27001 means that an organization or business has put in place a system to manage risks related to the security of data owned or handled by the company, and that this system respects all the best practices and principles enshrined in this International Standard.

With cyber-crime on the rise and new threats constantly emerging, it can seem difficult or even impossible to manage cyber-risks. ISO/IEC 27001 helps organizations become risk-aware and proactively identify and address weaknesses.

ISO/IEC 27001 promotes a holistic approach to information security: vetting people, policies and technology. An information security management system implemented according to this standard is a tool for risk management, cyber-resilience and operational excellence.

Information security awareness training has historically been seen by some as more of a compliance requirement than a real information security control. However, with the passage of time and the evolution of cyber threats, this is no longer the case.

Cybersecurity awareness training is pivotal for achieving ISO 27001 compliance. Regular training ensures employees understand security best practices and can recognize threats, aligning with ISO 27001 Annex A.7.2.2 requirements that states:

Information security awareness, education and training – All employees of the organization and, where relevant, contractors should receive appropriate awareness education and training and regular updates in organizational policies and procedures, as relevant for their job function.

Integrating the compliance aligned security awareness training into your cybersecurity program not only helps meet the regulatory requirements but also help develops a culture of cyber resilience.

However, the one time or annual trainings are not effective and regular and continuous training equips employees with best practices and adapt behaviors to identify and respond to security threats effectively. Employee awareness is also a foundational element in other cybersecurity frameworks, including NIST CSF and SOC 2.

To comply with ISO 27001/2, your security awareness training program should consider different forms of education and training. For example:

• Security awareness poster campaigns
• Computer-based security awareness training
• Simulated phishing exercises
• Cyber security alerts and advisories

While this standard emphasizes the importance of security awareness training, it does not provide detailed guidance on implementation. To design an effective training program, organizations should:

• Identify specific requirements for awareness, education, and training.
• Develop training programs to meet these requirements.
• Include short quiz for each topic to develop the critical thinking & understanding of the compliance topics. This way it will add a touch of gamification while making the training more engaging and will help grab user attention.

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• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided with comprehensive reporting and key metrics such as how many employees have completed the training? How many are overdue? With the comprehensive reporting you get a clear view of progress via the reporting dashboards. Certificates generated at course completion are a must for compliance records.
• Take reviews and feedback from employees, this will help improve or modify the approach.
• Training should address unique organizational risks and security challenges.
• Universal topics to cover include data protection principles, security policies, and awareness of the latest threats.
• Engaging and interactive training methods, such as gamification, enhance participation and retention.

Below image shows the key topics to consider:

With training requirements identified and content created, the next step is implementation. Schedule mandatory training sessions for all employees and incorporate them into the onboarding process for new hires. Present cybersecurity issues in terms business leaders can understand, such as financial implications, brand reputation, legal compliance, and competitive advantage.

• Successful implementation of security awareness training involves scheduling regular sessions, securing leadership buy-in, and integrating feedback mechanisms. This ensures continuous improvement and adaptation to new threats.
• Ensure the training is designed in using simple and non-technical jargon’s, so that everyone understand it. This involves presenting cyber security issues and solutions regarding financial implications, brand reputation, legal compliance, and competitive advantage
• This approach will help make leadership buy-in easily for resource allocation and support of new initiatives
• For organizations committed to ISO 27001 compliance, integrating security awareness training is a strategic move. Keep this training duration not more than 20-25 minutes. With an average topic length of 60 seconds, you don’t need to worry about the shortening attention span anymore. :)
• This training can be utilized for employee onboarding i.e. for new-joiners and third-party contractors security awareness training

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Schedule training sessions to fit operational needs, ensuring maximum participation. Include mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and feedback to adapt to emerging threats continually.

1. Introduction to Information Security and ISO 27001
2. Understanding Information Security Risks and Threats
3. Overview of ISO 27001 Requirements and Compliance
4. Data Protection Principles and Best Practices
5. Role-Based Security Responsibilities and Accountability
6. Security Policies and Procedures
7. Incident Reporting and Response Procedures
8. Cybersecurity Awareness Tips and Best Practices
9. Interactive Scenarios and Case Studies
10. Conclusion and Next Steps

Implementing comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training is essential for achieving ISO 27001 compliance and strengthening an organization’s information security posture.

By prioritizing employee education and engagement, organizations can consistently promote a culture of security awareness that not only meets compliance requirements but also significantly mitigates the risk of cyber threats and empower employees as the strongest defences against cybercrime.

This article provides practical insights and actionable recommendations, demonstrating the importance of integrating ISO 27001 security awareness training into your organizational strategy to build a resilient and secure information environment.

You may refer ISO.org website for more information on this standard.