When we talk about cybersecurity, many people think of firewalls, antivirus software, or having the most advanced tool to detect threats. But the truth is, in many cases, the biggest risk doesn’t come from outside… it comes from within the organization itself. And yes, sometimes that risk might even be you (with no bad intentions, of course).
At TecnetOne, we know this all too well: human error remains one of the main causes of security breaches. Employees clicking where they shouldn’t, weak or reused passwords, ignored warnings… sound familiar?
This is where cybersecurity KPIs come in—but we’re not talking about boring metrics lost in a spreadsheet. We mean indicators that actually show whether your team is prepared to detect a phishing email, respond to suspicious behavior, or act before it’s too late.
More specifically, we’re talking about key performance indicators that help you measure the effectiveness of your cybersecurity awareness training. Because training alone isn’t enough—you need to make sure that knowledge is put into practice when it matters most.
Why Are Cybersecurity KPIs So Important?
Because when it comes to cybersecurity, the human factor remains the Achilles’ heel. According to the Infosecurity Data Breach Report, 95% of incidents are linked to human error.
All it takes is one click on the wrong link to trigger a serious issue: data loss, operational disruptions, reputational damage, and in sectors like healthcare or finance, even legal penalties for regulatory non-compliance.
And even if you have the best technology—firewalls, antivirus software, threat detection systems—no technical defense is foolproof. In the end, people are the last line of defense.
That’s why understanding your team’s level of cybersecurity awareness is no longer a “nice to have,” but a critical necessity. Measuring it with the right KPIs not only helps you prevent incidents, but also strengthens your strategy from the ground up: your people.
Cybersecurity KPIs: Beyond Technical Data
When people talk about cybersecurity KPIs, they usually think of technical metrics, complex figures, or reports only the IT team understands. And yes, many of these metrics are valuable—they tell you things like how much an incident costs, how long your team takes to detect it, or how long it takes to get everything back to normal.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common ones:
-
Incident Cost: It may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most telling. Knowing how much each breach costs you is key to justifying investments and identifying weak points.
-
MTTA (Mean Time to Acknowledge): How long does it take your team to realize something’s wrong?
-
MTTR (Mean Time to Respond): How quickly does the team react once the incident is detected?
-
MTTR (Resolution): And how long does it take until the issue is truly resolved?
All these indicators are useful, absolutely. But there’s one area that often gets overlooked (and shouldn’t): people.
Because in the end, it doesn’t matter how many layers of technical protection you have if the person behind the keyboard falls for a phishing scam or ignores an alert. That’s why, in this article, we’re focusing on the cybersecurity KPIs that help you measure the real impact of your security awareness training.
KPIs to Know If Your Cybersecurity Training Is Working
Security training shouldn’t be that once-a-year course you take just to “check the box.” If you truly want to reduce risks, it needs to change behaviors, build culture, and create real awareness.
And this is where KPIs come into play. These indicators show whether what you’re doing is making an impact… or if you’re just going through the motions without any real effect.
1. Click Rate on Phishing Simulations
You launch a simulated phishing campaign—a fake, well-crafted email with a tempting link. Who clicks?
This KPI shows how many people fall for the bait. But it goes further: it gives insights into which types of messages are most effective (or dangerous) for your team and whether prior training has really sunk in.
Ideally, this rate should go down over time. If it stays high, it’s a red flag—your training might not be effective, or worse, it’s not being taken seriously. You can treat this metric as an internal risk index.
2. Rate of Reporting Suspicious Incidents
When someone notices something off, do they report it? Or do they just ignore it and move on? This KPI measures your team’s level of proactiveness toward potential threats. If the reporting rate increases (and the alerts are valid), that’s an excellent sign—it means people are more alert, engaged, and aware of their role in the company’s security.
The sooner an incident is reported, the faster you can act—and that drastically reduces the impact.
3. Percentage of Employees Completing the Training
Is your team actually completing the assigned courses or modules? This KPI gives you a general view of engagement. If completion rates are low, something’s wrong—maybe the training isn’t being communicated effectively, isn’t clear enough, or just isn’t being taken seriously.
4. Post-Training Test Results
After a training session, do employees retain the information? Are they passing the tests with solid results? This metric helps you measure the immediate effectiveness of your training content. But be careful: passing a test doesn’t always mean that knowledge will be applied in real situations. That’s why this KPI works best alongside the others.
5. Reduction in Human-Related Incidents
This KPI is broader and harder to measure in the short term, but it’s incredibly valuable. If incidents caused by human error (clicking malicious emails, weak passwords, etc.) start to decrease, it’s a clear sign that your training is working and driving real change.
Read more: Phishing Simulation: What It Is and How to Implement It
6. Cybersecurity Training Completion Rate
If your team isn’t even finishing the security training courses, you’ve got a problem—and not a minor one. This is one of the most basic cybersecurity KPIs, but also one of the most telling.
Why? Because you can’t measure improvement if you don’t know who’s completed the training process. But beware: completing a course doesn’t always mean learning took place. There’s a big difference between clicking “next” to rush through and actually absorbing the content.
That’s why, beyond just looking at completion rates, make sure the training is interactive, hands-on, and easy to apply in daily work. The goal isn’t just to “check the box,” but to build teams that think and act with cybersecurity in mind.
7. Behavior Change Metrics
This is probably the most important KPI—and the hardest to measure. It’s not just about passing a test or remembering theoretical concepts; it’s about applying what was learned in everyday situations.
Are your employees starting to:
-
Use stronger, more secure passwords?
-
Check links before clicking?
-
Report suspicious emails instead of ignoring them?
These are signs that the training is working. To measure this, you can use practical evaluations, digital behavior analysis, or even surprise audits. It’s not about “catching” anyone—it’s about understanding whether awareness is creating real, sustainable changes in habits.
How Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness Leaves You Wide Open
You can have the best firewalls, the strongest antivirus, and all your threat detection tools perfectly configured. But if someone on your team clicks the wrong link… all that protection can collapse in seconds.
At TecnetOne, we’ve seen it many times: a flawless technical strategy brought down by a simple human error. And if your team isn’t properly trained in cybersecurity awareness, you’re leaving the door open to risks that are easily avoidable. Some of the most common include:
-
Phishing: The classic threat that never goes out of style. Emails that look legit but hide malicious links.
-
Malware: Often hidden in attachments or shady downloads. One click, and it’s in.
-
Insider threats: Sometimes innocent mistakes, other times intentional harm. Either way, they can cause serious damage.
-
Credential compromise: Shared, reused, or poorly managed passwords. Yes, it still happens—more often than you’d think.
And if you work in industries like healthcare, finance, or legal, this goes far beyond a technical issue. We’re talking legal consequences, reputational damage, and major penalties. Heard of HIPAA? Now imagine what could happen if someone accidentally exposes personal data.
That’s why at TecnetOne, we constantly stress that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—people are a key part of the strategy, and their training can’t be an afterthought.
Read more: Cybersecurity Awareness: Why One Annual Talk Isn’t Enough
How to Use Cybersecurity KPIs to Strengthen Your Internal Culture
Building a true security culture isn’t something you can turn on with a click. It’s not like a tool you install and forget. It’s a process that develops over time, requires commitment, visibility… and most importantly, data that tells you whether you’re on the right track.
That’s where cybersecurity KPIs come in. When you choose and measure the right indicators, you’re not just checking off a compliance box—you’re gaining valuable insights to improve.
Data helps you spot patterns, identify where your team needs more support, and tailor training based on real weaknesses—not assumptions.
A good practice is to design phishing simulations based on real-world cases or current threats. That way, you’re not just training your team—you’re teaching them to stay alert to what’s actually happening in the digital landscape.
Over time, you shift from a reactive culture (one that only responds when there’s a problem) to a proactive culture where security is part of your team’s daily mindset.
How TecnetOne’s Awareness Program Makes This Easier
You know that measuring the impact of cybersecurity training is key… but you also know that doing it right can be a challenge. Coordinating content, tracking progress, gathering metrics, updating materials—sounds overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be.
With TecnetOne’s cybersecurity awareness program, the entire process is automated and tailored to your specific reality. It allows you to train your team effectively without wasting time on manual tasks or relying on guesswork.
Here’s what it offers:
-
Personalized, Dynamic Training: Content adapts to each user’s performance and the latest threats. No generic courses—each person gets relevant training suited to their level and context.
-
Real-Time Data Dashboards: Access clear stats on participation, progress, phishing simulation click rates, and more. You’ll know exactly where to take action and what’s working.
-
Always-Up-to-Date Content: Threats evolve constantly, and so does the training. The program stays current so your team is never left behind.
-
Gamified User Experience: Training is delivered through an intuitive, gamified platform that boosts engagement. Users want to participate—rather than seeing it as just another task.
It’s like having a personalized training platform with actionable metrics, relevant content, and a user-friendly experience that makes learning about security part of the everyday workflow—not a punishment.
And if you’re taking advantage of October (Cybersecurity Awareness Month) it’s the perfect time to spark this cultural shift. Not with one-off campaigns, but with a continuous, measurable, and truly effective approach.
