The 2024 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report by cybersecurity solutions provider Fortinet highlights the growing challenges organizations face due to cybercriminals leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).
The Fortinet report reveals that nearly 60% of surveyed leaders believe AI-driven attacks will lead to more employees falling victim to cyber threats.
Despite these concerns, 92% of respondents noted that awareness of AI-related risks has made organizations more open to adopting security awareness and training programs.
Fortinet’s survey, conducted among 50 executives and managers in the Philippines and Malaysia, underscores the importance of training employees to identify and prevent attacks like phishing. These schemes often exploit AI to appear more credible, targeting individuals directly. Nearly 90% of respondents indicated phishing prevention is a core focus of their training programs.
First line of defense
The report also found that while security teams play a crucial role, employees serve as the first line of defense. Leaders believe that providing engaging and efficient training programs significantly improves cybersecurity readiness. Ninety-eight percent of respondents observed at least some improvement in their organization’s security posture after implementing awareness training, with none reporting negative outcomes.
However, 60% of surveyed leaders worry their employees lack essential cybersecurity knowledge. To address this, effective training programs prioritize time-efficient learning — around 1.6 to 2 hours — and focus on relevant threats like phishing, malware, and data security.
The report concludes that employee awareness is essential to combat evolving cyber threats. Leaders overwhelmingly support these initiatives, with nearly all respondents agreeing that better-informed employees would strengthen their organization’s defenses.