Regular training is a critical component of maintain an effective and proactive team Training should be conducted at least quarterly, with additional sessions whenever there are significant updates to systems, processes, policies, or regulations. Training topics should cover social media security, phishing awareness, password management, data handling, incident reporting procedures, and the proper use of company assets. Employees must understand both the technical and behavioral practices that contribute to security risks to ensure they are prepared to prevent, recognize, and respond to potential threats.

All employees should participate in training, including technical staff, administrative personnel, and management. While training every employee is important, the depth of the training must vary based on the roles, with specific roles receiving more training on specific topics, such as legal practices for HR members. Technical staff will be required to receive extended training on system vulnerabilities, while management will focus on risk assessment and policy enforcement. Every team member must be aware of core policies and procedures on top of their specific training. Role specific scenarios and practical exercises can help reinforce training or uncover individuals who may need more training (such as simulated phishing attacks). Ensuring employees know how to apply policies in real world situations is critical to ensuring they understand them.

Policy review is equally important and should be conducted at least annually, or sooner if there are major organization changes, regulatory updates, or lessons learned from incidents. Reviewing policies ensures that procedures remain current, clear, and effective, in addressing evolving risks. During reviews, employees should have the opportunity to provide feedback on policies to ensure they are understandable, easy to follow, and relevant. Ensuring policies are robust and up to date is important as they are the basis of training for many employees, and are a reference point for behavior and expectations.

Integrating training and policy review into a continuous improvement cycle is important to ensure that the company maintains a strong overall security environment. By combining regular education, simulated exercises, and updates to policies, the company can ensure that employees are aware, accountable, and vigilant. Ongoing improvement and training ensures the company will be prepared for future threats, potential issues, and remains proactive when faced with new challenges.