Steve Flynn | Chief Commercial Officer | ESET Southern Africa | mail me |
Cybercriminals don’t just target systems. They target people. Nearly 70% of cyber incidents stem from preventable human mistakes. This makes an untrained workforce the weakest link in any organisation.
Enter gamified learning. This approach to cybersecurity training replaces routine compliance checklists with story-driven challenges based on real-life scenarios. By tapping into how people learn and form lasting habits, it shifts from passive “tick-the-box” training to active learning that sticks. The result is building a human firewall ready to tackle ever-evolving cyber threats.
Story-driven learning in action
To help organisations move from reacting to threats to staying ahead, we have launched a Cybersecurity Awareness Training. This online platform engages employees and transforms their approach to protecting digital assets. More than just a game, this immersive training uses real cybersecurity challenges. It combines incentives with hands-on gameplay to hone the critical skills necessary to safeguard a workplace.
With interactive learning programmes like the Cybersecurity Awareness Training, participants don’t just go through the motions. They dive into a story. As the training progresses, participants step into the role of junior cybersecurity detectives. They earn points by tackling mini-games and navigating cybercrime-themed scenarios they could encounter in real life.
Along the way, rewards reinforce learning, boost retention and build the practical skills needed to sidestep the everyday mistakes cybercriminals count on.
Rising phishing threats in South Africa
Phishing attacks account for 52% of all cyber threats in South Africa, according to our latest bi-annual Threat Report. This year alone, one of the country’s largest broadcasters, SABC, fell victim to a business email compromise.
Hackers infiltrated staff accounts and launched attacks with convincing links and attachments. Similarly, phishing emails brought the South African Weather Service to a standstill. They crippled aviation and marine operations while taking communications and website systems offline.
These breaches were not caused by weak firewalls or outdated software. They happened because the staff were caught off guard. It’s a stark reminder that even the most advanced systems are only as secure as the people using them. Employees remain firmly at the frontline of a company’s cybersecurity defence. Building a human firewall is therefore essential to protect critical operations.
From awareness to action
Without a well-trained and engaged workforce, even the best systems can fail. Real behavioural change and a true shift towards a cyber-aware culture takes practice, and plenty of it.
That’s where the Cybersecurity Awareness Training phishing simulator steps in. By offering realistic tests with regularly updated templates, it sharpens employee awareness and instincts. When a real phishing threat comes knocking, they’re not just prepared. They’re ready to strike back.
Human error remains the constant in an ever-changing threat landscape. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, the consequences of a single mistake become more serious.
Historically, the challenge hasn’t been a lack of education, but a lack of engagement. Too often, cybersecurity feels like a formality, leaving organisations exposed and employees checked out. Meanwhile, cybercriminals exploit human error at every turn. That’s why shifting the focus from awareness to action is vital. One reused password or a careless click on a suspicious link can have devastating consequences.
In conclusion
The best defence is prevention. It involves shrinking the attack surface, cutting through complexity, and placing people at the centre of cybersecurity.
By helping employees put knowledge into practice, this training is cracking the cybersecurity code. It transforms a long-standing vulnerability into an organisation’s most powerful line of defence. In doing so, it strengthens resilience by building a human firewall across the workforce.
