So you’ve built your security awareness program using NIST 800-50 R1 (and if you haven’t, go read our guide first). You’ve got your training modules, your phishing simulations, and maybe even a fancy dashboard showing completion rates. But here’s the million-dollar question: Is it actually working?
If you’re still measuring success by how many people clicked through your training videos, we need to talk. Real security awareness effectiveness goes way deeper than completion certificates and quiz scores.
The Problem with Traditional Metrics
Most organizations are stuck measuring the wrong things:
- Completion rates: Sure, 95% of your team finished the training. But did they actually learn anything?
- Quiz scores: That 80% average might look great, but people can Google their way through most security quizzes
- Time spent: Longer doesn’t always mean better. Some people are just slower readers (or better at multitasking)
These vanity metrics make us feel good but don’t tell us if our people will actually spot that sketchy email or avoid clicking malicious links when it matters.
Metrics That Actually Matter
1. Behavioral Change Indicators
Phishing simulation performance over time: When using phishing simulations (which should be done carefully and only after assessing their cultural impact), track improvement trends rather than just click rates. Are reporting rates increasing? Note that simulation programs can be counterproductive if they create fear or erode trust – assess their impact on your organization’s culture before implementation.
Security incident reduction: Measure human-error related security incidents before and after training. This includes:
- Password reuse incidents
- Social engineering successes
- Malware infections from user actions
- Data sharing mistakes
2. Proactive Security Behaviors
Security reporting frequency: Are employees actually reporting suspicious emails, calls, and activities? A good awareness program should increase security reports, not decrease them.
Security consultation requests: Are people reaching out to your security team with questions before taking risky actions? This is a strong indicator that your training is creating security-conscious thinking.
3. Knowledge Application in Context
Scenario-based assessments: Instead of asking “What should you do if you receive a phishing email?”, present actual suspicious emails and measure responses.
Real-world decision tracking: Monitor how employees handle security decisions in their daily work. Do they follow secure practices for file sharing, password management, and device usage?
Implementing Effective Measurement
Create Baseline Measurements
Before implementing new training, establish baselines for:
- Real-world phishing email interaction rates (if you have email security tools that provide post-delivery threat intelligence and user interaction data)
- Frequency of security incidents attributed to human error
- Volume of security-related help desk tickets
- Employee confidence levels in identifying threats
Note: Real-world phishing metrics are often more valuable than simulation data. Modern email security solutions can provide insights into who interacts with actual malicious emails that were initially delivered but later identified as threats.
Use Layered Assessment Approaches
Immediate assessment: Quick knowledge checks right after training Delayed assessment: Test knowledge retention 30, 60, and 90 days later Applied assessment: Real-world scenarios and simulations Behavioral observation: Long-term tracking of security behaviors
Focus on Leading Indicators
Don’t just measure what happened – measure what predicts future success:
- Engagement quality: Are people asking thoughtful questions during training?
- Peer education: Are employees sharing security knowledge with colleagues?
- Security mindset adoption: Are teams incorporating security thinking into project planning?
Building a Measurement Framework
Step 1: Define Success Criteria
Work with stakeholders to define what “security aware” means in your organization. This might include:
- Ability to identify and report phishing attempts
- Understanding of data handling requirements
- Knowledge of incident response procedures
- Confidence in making security decisions
Step 2: Establish Measurement Cadence
- Monthly: Real-world threat interaction metrics and security incident tracking
- Quarterly: Knowledge retention assessments and behavior observations
- Annually: Comprehensive program effectiveness review and culture assessment
Step 3: Create Feedback Loops
Use measurement data to improve your program:
- Identify knowledge gaps and adjust content
- Recognize high performers and security champions
- Provide targeted remediation for struggling areas
- Celebrate improvements and progress
Making Data Actionable
Segment Your Analysis
Don’t treat your entire organization as one homogeneous group:
- By role: Different roles face different threats
- By department: Some teams may need specialized training
- By risk level: High-risk users may need additional attention
- By performance: Tailor follow-up based on individual needs
Tell the Right Story
When reporting to leadership:
- Connect metrics to business outcomes: Show how improved security awareness reduces business risk
- Use trend analysis: Focus on improvement over time, not just point-in-time snapshots
- Highlight success stories: Share specific examples of employees making good security decisions
- Be transparent about challenges: Discuss areas needing improvement and your plans to address them
Beyond the Numbers: Cultural Indicators
The most effective security awareness programs create cultural change. Look for these qualitative indicators:
- Security becomes part of casual workplace conversations
- Employees proactively suggest security improvements
- Teams naturally consider security implications in project planning
- Security questions are viewed as helpful, not obstructive
Red Flags to Watch For
Some metrics might look good on paper but actually indicate problems:
- Perfect quiz scores: Might indicate questions are too easy or people are sharing answers
- Zero security reports: Could mean people are afraid to report or don’t know how
- Dramatic improvements: Sudden jumps might indicate gaming the system rather than real learning
The Bottom Line
Measuring security awareness effectiveness isn’t about proving your training program is awesome – it’s about continuously improving your organization’s human firewall. The goal isn’t perfect scores; it’s building a workforce that thinks about security as part of their job, not just something they do during annual training.
Stop celebrating completion rates and start measuring what actually keeps your organization secure. Your security posture (and your executive team) will thank you.
What’s Next?
Ready to level up your security awareness measurement game? Start with one or two behavioral metrics that align with your biggest security risks. Build your measurement practice gradually, and remember: the best metric is the one you’ll actually use to make decisions.
And if you need help designing a measurement strategy that actually drives security improvements, let’s talk. We’ve helped organizations move beyond vanity metrics to build awareness programs that create real, lasting change.
