Security Awareness Training That Actually Changes Employee Behavior
The Click Rate Story Most Companies Avoid
Many organizations proudly state that their employees have completed security awareness training. The videos were watched, the policies were signed, and the boxes were checked. Yet phishing click rates often remain above 20 percent.
Employees did what was required, and they still clicked.
The issue is not a lack of awareness. It is a lack of behavior change. Training that truly reduces incidents focuses on repetition, relevance, and reinforcement over time. For Montréal SMBs, success is simple to define: fewer risky clicks and faster reporting when something looks suspicious.
This is exactly the goal of AET Solutions’ cybersecurity services for SMBs.
Designing a Program That Changes Behavior
Effective security awareness programs look very different from traditional once-a-year training sessions. Annual marathons overwhelm employees and fade quickly from memory. Programs that drive real change rely on a steady cadence of short training sessions delivered throughout the year.
Micro-learning modules lasting five to eight minutes and focused on a single realistic scenario consistently outperform long, generic videos. Offering content in both English and French removes friction and improves adoption, while using examples tied to everyday tools—such as Microsoft 365, accounting platforms, and shared file systems—makes the training feel relevant.
When this approach is supported by a well-managed environment, such as through managed IT services, behavior change is far more sustainable.
Phishing Simulations and Metrics That Actually Matter
Many organizations track only who clicked on a phishing email. That number alone provides limited insight. Metrics that truly matter show whether behavior is improving over time.
Key indicators include the overall click rate trend, the percentage of employees who report suspicious emails, how quickly the first report reaches IT, and whether the same users repeatedly fail simulations. Success does not mean eliminating clicks entirely. It means faster detection and a consistent reduction in risky behavior.
A responsive IT helpdesk plays a critical role by receiving reports quickly and responding before an incident escalates.
Why Manager Involvement Makes the Difference
Security awareness improves significantly when managers are actively involved. When leaders participate in the same simulations as their teams and openly discuss the results, employees follow their lead.
Effective programs recognize teams that report suspicious emails quickly, coach repeat clickers privately instead of publicly shaming them, and include security behavior as part of regular performance conversations. This approach fits naturally into a broader cyber risk management strategy.
Reinforcing Policies Where They Matter Most
Training must reinforce policies employees actually use, not abstract threats. Staff should clearly understand expectations around password managers and unique passwords, mandatory multi-factor authentication for email and remote access, acceptable use of personal devices and USB drives, and the exact steps required to report suspicious activity.
These policies are easier to enforce when supported by tools and processes delivered through structured IT services.
An Example 90 Day Security Awareness Curriculum
A structured, progressive rollout produces better results than one-time training programs.
In the first month, the focus should be on phishing fundamentals. A baseline phishing simulation combined with a short training module establishes click and reporting benchmarks.
In the second month, the program should shift toward credential theft, using targeted simulations to reduce repeat clickers and reinforce good security habits.
In the third month, the emphasis moves to business email compromise, using executive-style phishing simulations and reporting drills designed to accelerate escalation and response.
This type of program is often documented through AET Solutions resources and guides to ensure consistent follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should security awareness training run?
Monthly micro-training with quarterly reviews produces stronger long-term behavior change than annual sessions.
Are phishing simulations risky?
When properly designed, phishing simulations are safe, controlled, and essential for measuring real-world behavior without exposing the business to harm.
Is this suitable for small businesses?
Yes. Small and mid-sized businesses are frequently targeted precisely because training is inconsistent or missing.
Next Step Training Pilot and Baseline
AET Solutions offers a security awareness training pilot for Montréal SMBs that includes baseline phishing simulations and a structured 90-day curriculum.
👉 Request a training baseline to understand your current risk level and see how quickly employee behavior can improve.