How cybersecurity education helps minimize the risk
Computer systems and networks are inherently exposed to many threats. Learn how cybersecurity risk management can protect your organization and its digital assets.
By: James M. Tobin, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Published: October 17, 2025
Phishing, ransomware, deepfakes, and organized cyberattacks pose major threats to businesses. Artificial intelligence (AI) has further complicated the cybersecurity landscape, with malicious actors adding AI-powered tools to their arsenals.
Organizations need to be prepared, and cybersecurity education is key. Learn about cybersecurity risk management and how cybersecurity can help protect your business.
What are the risks of a lack of cybersecurity education?
Organizations that do not prioritize cybersecurity risk management leave themselves more exposed to:
- Threats and vulnerabilities
- Data breaches
- Compliance risks
- Financial losses
- Reputational harm
Without an established cybersecurity protocol, your organization could also suffer from delayed responses to security incidents. The costs can be staggering: An IBM analysis found that the average cost of a data breach reached nearly $5 million in 2024.
Organization-wide cybersecurity education can involve your entire team in a coordinated campaign to protect digital assets and stop suspicious activity.
How can cybersecurity awareness help with risk management?
"Awareness is important, especially if it's applied throughout an organization and applied with the necessary resources," says Jeffrey Le of George Mason University's National Cybersecurity Institute. "Regular dialogue and routine training that are updated to the latest trends...may help reduce some risks."
With cybersecurity awareness training, everyone in your organization can become more adept at:
- Identifying suspicious activity and threats.
- Following data security best practices.
- Safeguarding login information and passwords.
- Reporting possible incidents to the appropriate personnel.
You have many tools at your disposal to advance your educational goals, including:
- Free cybersecurity courses
- Cybersecurity executive education for organizational leaders
- Threat intelligence resources
Also, be sure to build your organizational digital safety program around the National Institute of Standards and Technology's cybersecurity framework to ensure alignment with established best practices.
Supplement by exploring the concept of cybersecurity red teams and blue teams and the role of AI in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity programs to increase your cybersecurity awareness
As an initial step, review cybersecurity best practices for businesses and learn about the specific duties of various cybersecurity professionals. Then, plan a comprehensive training strategy to identify and reduce the risks your organization faces.
These courses and programs may help:
Beginner: IBM Beginner's Guide to Cybersecurity
This self-paced course emphasizes cybersecurity fundamentals over four engaging weeks. It emphasizes common threats and best practices for mitigating them.
Beginner: IBM Beginner's Guide to Cybersecurity
This self-paced course emphasizes cybersecurity fundamentals over four engaging weeks. It emphasizes common threats and best practices for mitigating them.