Security awareness training is often seen as the cornerstone of managing the human factor. The goal is simple: provide employees with enough information to recognize and avoid potential risks. These programs can take many forms, from posters that offer cyber hygiene reminders to more structured eLearning sessions designed to ensure every employee has completed necessary training.
But here’s the thing—awareness training alone won’t cut it. In today’s digital landscape, merely knowing about threats doesn’t guarantee that employees will be able to act on that knowledge when the time comes. This is especially true as cyber threats become more sophisticated and attackers leverage advancements in AI to mimic legitimate communications.
That’s where human risk management (HRM) comes in. Wondering what the difference between the two is, and how to implement an excellent HRM program? We’ve got you covered.
What is security awareness training?
Security awareness training gives employees the basic knowledge they need to recognize common threats like phishing, social engineering, and malware attacks–giving them the knowledge to spot danger before it strikes. Common components of a robust awareness program include:
- Posters: Visual reminders around the office or in digital workspaces that reinforce key security messages.
- eLearning: Online training modules that not only provide essential knowledge but also test employees on their understanding of the material.
- Simulated attacks: Phishing simulations or other types of attack drills to test how well employees can spot a real threat in their daily work environment.
The problem? Despite most companies investing in security awareness, the human element is still the number one cause of data breaches.
Here’s the thing: cybercriminals are continually raising the stakes and AI-powered attacks have made it much harder to identify malicious attacks. For example, in the past, employees could spot a phishing email due to obvious signs—like poor grammar, strange email addresses, or suspicious links. Today, attackers can craft emails that look legitimate down to the last detail, using AI to create flawless text that mimics the tone and style of trusted contacts.
The harsh reality? Being aware that phishing exists won’t protect your employees when the email in question looks identical to something from their CEO or HR department. The same goes for other common attacks. With machine learning and AI making these scams more convincing, human error is becoming an even bigger weak point in cybersecurity defenses.
Enter HRM to save the day.
What is HRM?
To define HRM, let’s first start by defining human risk. Human risk refers to any error made by people that can lead to security breaches—whether it’s clicking on a phishing link, misconfiguring a cloud instance, or even insider attacks. The reality is that human behavior can be one of the biggest weak points in your cybersecurity defense.
Enter Human Risk Management (HRM). HRM is the strategy that identifies, evaluates, and educates employees on these threats—transforming them from potential risks into active protectors of your business. Instead of just avoiding threats, your employees become your first line of defense.
But HRM is more than just security awareness training. It’s a continuous, adaptive process that empowers your team to recognize, respond, and reduce risk effectively. Here’s how it works.
The four key steps of human risk management
- Detect and measure: HRM starts by detecting risky human behaviors and measuring their impact. From phishing link clicks to poor data security practice, every action can be quantified to reveal potential vulnerabilities within your workforce.
- Policy and training interventions: Once the risks are identified, tailored interventions like real-time nudges and active learning can be introduced. This ensures that employees are not only aware of threats but also know how to tackle them.
- Educate and empower: With that, HRM focuses on education—arming your team with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves and the organization. From understanding phishing tactics to knowing how to respond in real-time to suspicious activity, the goal is to foster proactive security behaviors.
- Build a positive security culture: Finally, HRM aims to create a security-first culture. It’s about more than just training sessions—it’s embedding security practices into the everyday workflow. When security becomes second nature to your employees, it strengthens your entire organization.
By implementing HRM, you’re turning your employees from potential liabilities into powerful assets. Security awareness is just one piece of the puzzle; the real strength of HRM lies in its ability to create an active, engaged workforce that’s always ready to defend against evolving threats.
Where to find an HRM solution
Integrating HRM into your IT infrastructure can be seamless thanks to low-code tools like Polymer DLP.
Our active learning solution takes human risk management (HRM) to the next level by turning your employees into an integral part of your cybersecurity defense. Instead of just teaching employees about risks, Polymer DLP actively monitors and adjusts to their behavior in real time—creating a dynamic feedback loop that strengthens protection against data leaks and breaches.
Here’s how Polymer DLP aligns with the key HRM principles:
1. Detect and measure
Polymer DLP continuously scans for risky behaviors, from sharing sensitive information in unprotected channels to potential insider threats. By detecting these behaviors and quantifying the risk, it provides actionable insights that go beyond traditional awareness training.
2. Policy and training interventions
Once risks are identified, Polymer DLP’s AI-driven solution suggests personalized interventions. Instead of generic, one-size-fits-all training, it delivers hyper-relevant nudges and guidelines tailored to each employee’s unique risk profile. This targeted approach ensures employees get exactly what they need to address the vulnerabilities in their workflow.
3. Educate and empower
The platform doesn’t just detect risk; it educates employees on the fly. When Polymer DLP spots a potential breach or misuse of data, it provides immediate, context-driven feedback to the user. This real-time education helps employees learn from their actions, reducing the chance of repeated mistakes while empowering them to safeguard company data proactively.
4. Build a security culture
By integrating security directly into daily workflows, Polymer DLP fosters a security-conscious culture. Employees aren’t just passive recipients of information—they’re active participants in securing your organization. With Polymer DLP, security becomes part of the organizational DNA, ingraining best practices into everyday operations.
Ready to turn your employees into your strongest line of defense?
Discover how Polymer DLP’s active learning solution can transform your security culture. Request a demo now.
