6 Compelling Benefits Of Cyber Security Training

Did you know that according to the government’s Cyber Security Breach Survey Report, over 50% of UK businesses have experienced a cyber attack in the last year? In fact, there were 7.78 million cyber attacks on UK businesses in 2024.

Shocking statistics like this can leave business owners feeling like digital breaches are simply inevitable and lead to apathy.

However, researchers from the University of Stanford have concluded that 88% of cyber security breaches are caused by human error. This means that with the right know-how, the vast majority of cyber security risks can be eliminated.

Let our convenient online Cyber Security Awareness training help your staff gain the crucial knowledge they need to play their part in keeping your business safe from cyber threats.

Not sure if it’s for you? Let’s take a closer look at the tangible benefits of cyber security training for your team.

The 6 Biggest Benefits Of Cyber Security Training

Staying up to date with best practices is rarely as crucial as when it comes to your company’s digital security. Here’s exactly why comprehensive training on this subject is a must.

1. It Reduces the Risks of Using Personal Devices

Modern workplaces often embrace BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies. This means employees use their own devices, which saves businesses money on equipment and can increase productivity due to familiarity with the device. However, BYOD often introduces security vulnerabilities, with many businesses reporting breaches happening as a result. 

Personal devices typically lack robust security measures applied as standard to company-owned equipment, creating potential entry points for cyber criminals. Proper training teaches staff crucial defensive measures like how to securely connect to your systems, updating software and separating personal from work data. 

This helps protect your business while still enjoying the flexibility that using their own devices can offer.

2. It Helps Build a Company Culture of Security

Effective IT security awareness training passes the baton of security from being just an IT responsibility to a shared priority throughout your whole organisation. Your team becomes more likely to identify threats, follow protocols consistently and stay vigilant throughout their daily work. This collective shift in mindset can increase your company’s defences dramatically.

With apathy towards digital security affecting up to 42% of companies in the UK (CISCO), effective training is a tried and tested way to wake up your best asset against breaches: your team. 

3. It Minimises Incident Response Times

When cyber attacks occur, response time directly impacts severity. The average lifecycle of a breach is 292 days from identification to containment (IBM). Well-trained staff can identify warning signs early and implement response protocols promptly, helping contain threats before they spread throughout your network.

With proper training, your team will learn to recognise the early signs of a breach and understand the correct procedures so that they can respond quickly. 

This early action can stem recovery costs and minimise operational disruption when cyber incidents do occur.

4. It Reduces Human Error

Human error remains the largest factor in security breaches. Simple mistakes like clicking on suspicious links or reusing weak passwords might seem small but can end up allowing criminals to gain access to your website.

In fact, phishing scams were found to be the most common type of cyber attack in the UK, experienced in 84% of all incidents (UK Cyber Crime Statistics). Targeted training helps your team become familiar with these common threats and develop better security habits.

5. It Ensures Your Regulatory Compliance

Poor digital practices could cost you more than just the consequences of a data breach - you might also face fines. According to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), GDPR fines in the UK increased by 40% in 2024 compared to the previous year (ICO Annual Report, 2024).

Cyber security training plays a crucial role in meeting these compliance requirements by:

• Educating staff on their specific responsibilities under relevant regulations
• Documenting training efforts to demonstrate due diligence to regulators
• Reducing incidents that could trigger reporting requirements
• Keeping employees updated on changes to compliance standards
• Creating auditable records of security awareness activities

Avoid regulatory non-compliance through hacking with simple and convenient training that reinforces best practices. 

6. Demonstrates Your Commitment to Customers

If you’re a customer-based business, you could have all kinds of sensitive information stored relating to people who’ve shopped with your business in the past. Even with the restrictions of GDPR, accessing your business data doesn’t just mean access to your own data: it could mean personal customer information like names, email addresses, passwords and addresses.

That’s why taking steps to ensure your staff are compliant doesn’t just mean keeping your own business safe. It also showcases your commitment to keeping your customer data safe, too. 

What Are The Risks Of Not Educating Your Staff?

It’s important to understand that while there are some amazing benefits to cyber security awareness, there are also serious consequences of taking a negligent approach. Sadly, too many businesses only find out how important cyber security training is when they realise it could have stopped their business from being exploited.

Here’s what you risk:

• Prolonged security breaches - Breaches typically last 292 days from start to containment (IBM, 2024). That's nearly 10 months of attackers having access to your systems.
• Significant financial losses - While an initial breach costs an average of £4,200 for UK businesses, remedying an attack jumps to around £21,000 (UK Cyber Crime Statistics, 2024). Prevention is simply much cheaper than dealing with the consequences.
• Vulnerability to phishing - 84% of UK businesses reported phishing attempts in 2024 (UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey). Training helps employees recognise and properly handle these common security threats.
• Legal consequences - With GDPR fines reaching 2.1 billion euros in 2023 (Statista), staff who aren't properly trained in data handling could expose your business to harsh penalties.
• Reputational damage - Beyond the immediate monetary costs of the attack and the aftermath, data breaches erode customer trust and damage your brand reputation. Something that takes years to build but only moments to destroy.

What Our Subject Matter Expert Has To Say

Darren Lawson highlights the growing challenges of cyber security, stating, "Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead requires both awareness and action."

Virtual College’s newly updated Cyber Security Awareness course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, prevent, and respond to modern cyber risks—including AI-driven attacks.

"Cyber security isn’t just about protecting data; it’s about safeguarding people, businesses, and the integrity of our digital world. Stay ahead with practical training that protects data, people, and businesses in today’s digital world.."

Ready to Invest in Your Staff’s Cyber Awareness?

We make vital training as simple to access and as memorable to learn as possible. Our experienced team creates subject matter led courses that are up to date with all relevant legislation and can be accessed online 24/7. Need to break up your course? No problem - our LMS will automatically save your progress as you go - because learning should happen on your terms.

Book trusted Cyber Security Training today.