Why cyber security awareness training matters

Have you ever received an email that seemed legitimate but turned out to be a scam? Perhaps it was a fake invoice or a request from someone impersonating your boss…

What is cyber security, and why do we need it?

Cyber security involves safeguarding your business from online threats, including:

• Malware and ransomware
• Phishing attacks
• Data breaches
• Account takeovers
• Various other deceptive schemes

It’s not solely about protecting technology but also about safeguarding the people who use it…

“Businesses with comprehensive cyber security awareness training experience up to 80% fewer phishing incidents.” (Source: National Cyber Security Centre)

Why is cyber security important to businesses?

In simple terms: the cost of neglecting it is too high. The UK’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey revealed that 43% of businesses identified a cyber attack in the past year…

Why is cyber security training so important?

Even the most robust firewalls can’t prevent a breach if someone from your team unwittingly clicks on a convincing link in a “normal-looking” email. Human error accounts for 95% of cyber security breaches…

Let’s be clear:
That doesn’t make your team the problem.

At Cloud & More, we’re done with the whole “users are the weakest link” narrative. It’s wrong. And frankly, it misses the point.

Hackers aren’t breaking in,  they’re being let in.
Because someone, somewhere, thought that link was safe.

If your team’s not trained to spot what’s dodgy and what’s real, even the best security tools won’t save you.
You’re not hiring untrustworthy people, you’re hiring untrained ones.

Hackers are better marketers than you think

These aren’t spray-and-pray spam emails. They’re calculated campaigns.
With branding. Tone of voice. Urgency triggers. Social proof. Personalisation.

Sound familiar?

It should because hackers use the exact same psychology as marketing teams.
Just with very different goals.

Examples we see daily:

• Reciprocity: “Download this whitepaper for a free gift card.”
• Urgency: “You must verify your account within 2 hours.”
• Social proof: “All your colleagues already did this.”

They A/B test. They watch behaviours. They iterate.

They’re not guessing. They’re manipulating.
And if your team doesn’t know the playbook, they’ll keep falling for it.

What happens when you don’t train your team?

Consider this analogy: giving your team new company cars without driving lessons might work temporarily, but eventually, accidents are bound to happen…

Phishing remains the most common cyber threat, affecting 85% of businesses that experienced cyber crimes. (Source: UK’s 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey)

How to get started with people-first cyber security training

Cyber security doesn’t work unless it includes your people.

We don’t believe in fear-based training or “gotcha” quizzes.
We believe in real-life examples. Clear, practical guidance. And helping your team feel confident, not clueless.

Because when people panic, they hide things. When they’re trained, they report them.

The encouraging news is that cyber security training doesn’t have to be dull, overly technical, or complex. At Cloud & More, we utilise Phished.io…

• Continuous awareness campaigns
• Concise training modules
• Personalised feedback
• Support from our approachable team

So, why does cyber security matter?

Businesses thrive on trust. Trust that your systems are secure, client data is protected, and your team is prepared to handle potential threats…

Final thought

Assuming “We’re probably safe” is precisely the mindset cyber attackers hope for. Let’s not make it easy for them.

FAQs

1. What are the real risks of not training your team in cyber security?

Let’s be blunt: the biggest risk in your business isn’t your firewall. It’s Dave in accounts clicking a dodgy link just before clocking off on Friday.

Failing to train your team means handing cybercriminals the keys. Human error is behind 95% of cyber breaches, and attackers are counting on people not being prepared. A lack of awareness can lead to data loss, downtime, reputational damage, and some very awkward client calls.

Training turns your people into your strongest line of defence, and that’s what keeps your business safe.

2. How often should small businesses do cyber security training?

Once a year won’t cut it. Threats evolve fast, and your training should keep pace.

We recommend ongoing awareness campaigns with bite-sized training sessions every month or quarter, supported by phishing simulations throughout the year. Think of it like brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t do that once a year and hope for the best.

Good training becomes part of your company culture. It’s not a tick-box. It’s a tool to help your team stay sharp, confident, and ready.

3. What does good cyber security training actually look like?

Forget snooze-fest seminars and jargon-heavy PDFs. Effective training is practical, human, and engaging.

At Cloud & More, we use tools like Phished.io to simulate real threats. No scare tactics, just smart, scenario-based learning. It’s a bit like a fire drill for your inbox. And the feedback is personal, so your team knows what to improve without feeling like they’ve been caught out.

If your training feels more like punishment than progress, it’s time to rethink the approach.

4. Can cyber security training really prevent phishing attacks?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes, if it’s done properly.

Training helps your team recognise dodgy emails, spot red flags, and think twice before clicking. According to the UK’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 85% of business cyber attacks involved phishing. So yes, training really can reduce the risk.

It’s not about turning everyone into tech experts. It’s about giving people the confidence to ask, “Does this look right?” before handing over sensitive info.

5. Is cyber security training worth the investment for small businesses?

Let’s do the maths.

The average cyber attack costs a small business £1,100 (and that’s just the direct cost). The stress, time lost, and reputational damage? Priceless, in the worst way.

Cyber security training is a low-cost, high-impact investment that protects your people and your data. It’s the kind of decision your future self will thank you for, and your clients will notice too.