So, Gartner dropped their 2019 Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training, and it’s a big deal for anyone trying to keep their company safe. Think of it like a report card for companies that help train employees about cyber threats. It helps you see who’s doing a good job and what’s changing in the world of online security training. We’ll break down what it all means, who the main players are, and what trends are shaping how we learn to be safer online. It’s all about understanding the gartner magic quadrant security awareness 2019.
Key Takeaways
- The 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training sorts companies based on their ability to execute and their vision for the future.
- Companies in the ‘Leaders’ section are strong all-around, offering solid solutions and looking ahead to new developments.
- Phishing simulations, using psychology to change behavior, and connecting training with other security tools are big trends right now.
- Making your training fit specific threats and figuring out if it’s actually working are important steps for any security program.
- Choosing the right training partner and keeping employees interested are key to building a strong security culture.
Understanding the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training 2019
Alright, let’s talk about the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training from 2019. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to train your employees about cybersecurity, this report is a big deal. It’s basically Gartner’s way of mapping out the companies that offer security awareness training, putting them into categories based on how well they do things and how forward-thinking they are.
Key Criteria for Inclusion
So, what does it take to even get into this Magic Quadrant? Gartner looks at a few things. They want to see that a company is actually selling security awareness training products, not just dabbling in it. They also check if the company has a solid track record and a good number of customers. It’s not just about having a product; it’s about being a real player in the market. They also consider the breadth of their training content and how they deliver it.
The Evolution of Security Awareness Training
Honestly, security awareness training has come a long way. It used to be pretty basic, right? Think dry videos and maybe a quiz once a year. Now, it’s way more sophisticated. We’re seeing more interactive stuff, phishing simulations that feel pretty real, and training that actually tries to change how people behave online. It’s less about just checking a box and more about building a real security mindset. This shift is partly driven by the fact that attackers are getting smarter, and simple training just doesn’t cut it anymore. Companies are realizing they need to adapt, and Gartner’s report reflects this changing landscape. For instance, the rise of sophisticated phishing attacks means training needs to be more dynamic, and vendors are responding to this need. You can find more on how email security is evolving in this Gartner report.
Gartner’s Methodology Explained
How does Gartner decide who goes where? They have a pretty detailed process. They look at two main things: ‘Ability to Execute’ and ‘Completeness of Vision’.
- Ability to Execute: This is all about the practical stuff. Can the company actually deliver on its promises? Gartner checks things like product quality, customer experience, sales execution, and overall financial stability. It’s about whether they can get the job done effectively.
- Completeness of Vision: This is about the future. Where is the company headed? They look at market understanding, marketing strategy, product strategy, and innovation. It’s about whether they’re thinking ahead and have a clear plan for where the security awareness training market is going.
Based on these two factors, companies are placed into one of four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, and Niche Players. It’s a snapshot of the market at a specific time, helping organizations make informed decisions.
Leaders in the 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant
So, who actually made the cut in the 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training? It’s not just about having a product; Gartner looks at a company’s ability to execute and their vision for the future. They break down the vendors into a few categories: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, and Niche Players. This year, the Leaders quadrant was particularly interesting, showing companies that are really on top of their game.
Identifying the Visionaries
Visionaries are the ones who really get where the market is heading. They might not be the biggest players yet, but they’re thinking ahead, often with innovative approaches. In 2019, these companies were pushing the boundaries, maybe with new ways to measure training effectiveness or by integrating advanced tech like AI into their platforms. They’re the ones to watch if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
Recognizing the Challengers
Challengers are the solid, reliable companies. They’re executing well right now and have a strong market presence. Think of them as the dependable workhorses. They might not be introducing groundbreaking new ideas every week, but they’re consistently delivering good training that meets current needs. They often have a broad customer base and a solid reputation for getting the job done.
Understanding the Niche Players
Niche Players, as the name suggests, focus on a specific part of the market or a particular type of customer. They might be really good at serving a certain industry, or perhaps they specialize in a very specific type of training, like advanced phishing simulations for financial institutions. While they might not have the widest reach, they can be excellent choices if their specialty perfectly matches what you’re looking for. It’s all about finding the right fit for your organization’s unique situation.
Key Trends Shaping Security Awareness Training
So, what’s actually changing in the world of security awareness training? It’s not just about sending out the same old emails anymore. Things are getting more sophisticated, and thankfully, more effective. We’re seeing a few big shifts that are really making a difference.
The Rise of Phishing Simulations
This one’s a biggie. Instead of just telling people about phishing, companies are now actively simulating phishing attacks. It’s like a fire drill for your employees. They get a fake phishing email, and if they click on it, they’re usually taken to a page that explains what happened and what they should have done differently. This hands-on approach helps people learn by doing, which sticks way better than just reading about it. It’s a more realistic way to prepare for the real threats out there. We’re seeing a lot more focus on tailoring these simulations to specific industry threats, making them even more relevant. You can find more on this in Gartner’s reports on security awareness [1623].
Behavioral Science in Training
This is where things get really interesting. Trainers are starting to use principles from behavioral science to make training stick. Think about it: why do people do what they do? It’s not always about logic; often, it’s about habits, social pressure, or even just how information is presented. By understanding these psychological triggers, training can be designed to encourage safer behaviors. This might mean using nudges, positive reinforcement, or framing security as a collective responsibility rather than just an individual chore. It’s about making the secure choice the easy choice.
Integration with Other Security Tools
Another major trend is connecting security awareness training with other security systems. This means that when a user makes a mistake in a phishing simulation, that information can be fed back into other security tools. For example, it might flag that user for additional training or even temporarily adjust their access levels. This creates a more dynamic and responsive security posture. It’s not just a standalone training program anymore; it’s part of a larger, interconnected security ecosystem. This kind of integration helps automate responses and provides a clearer picture of overall security risk.
Strategic Considerations for Security Awareness Programs
So, you’ve got your security awareness training program up and running, maybe you even picked a leader from that Gartner Magic Quadrant report. That’s a good start, but it’s not the finish line, you know? Think of it like getting a gym membership – showing up is half the battle, but you still gotta do the work to see results.
Tailoring Training to Specific Threats
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking one-size-fits-all training works for everyone. But let’s be real, the threats out there are constantly changing, and they don’t hit every department the same way. For instance, your finance team might be more likely to get hit with sophisticated phishing scams trying to trick them into sending money, while your developers might face different risks related to code security or supply chain attacks. So, you really need to look at what kind of attacks are most likely to target different groups within your company.
- Identify High-Risk Departments: Figure out which teams handle sensitive data or are frequent targets of specific attack types.
- Map Threats to Roles: Connect common threats (like phishing, malware, social engineering) to the specific vulnerabilities of different job functions.
- Customize Content: Develop or select training modules that directly address these role-specific risks. Don’t make your marketing team sit through a deep dive on SQL injection if it’s not relevant to their daily work.
Measuring Program Effectiveness
This is where a lot of programs stumble. You can’t just assume the training is working because you sent out emails and people clicked through. You need actual data. How are you tracking if people are actually changing their behavior? Are those phishing simulations getting better results over time?
Here’s a quick look at what you might track:
| Metric | Baseline (Start) | After 6 Months | After 1 Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phishing Click Rate | 25% | 15% | 8% | Lower is better |
| Reporting Suspicious Emails | 10% | 30% | 50% | Higher is better |
| Security Policy Violations | 5 per month | 3 per month | 1 per month | Depends on type of violation, track trends |
The goal is to see a measurable reduction in risky behaviors and an increase in security-conscious actions.
The Role of Continuous Learning
Cybersecurity isn’t a one-and-done kind of deal. It’s more like keeping up with the news – you have to stay informed because things change daily. Your employees need to feel like they’re part of an ongoing effort, not just someone who had to sit through a mandatory hour of training once a year. Think about short, regular refreshers, maybe a quick quiz after a major security incident, or even just sharing relevant security news snippets. This keeps security top-of-mind and helps build a stronger security culture over time. It’s about making security a habit, not a chore.
Navigating the Security Awareness Training Landscape
So, you’ve looked at the Gartner Magic Quadrant and you’re trying to figure out what all this means for your organization. It’s a lot to take in, right? Picking the right security awareness training isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s about actually making your people safer online. Let’s break down how to approach this.
Choosing the Right Vendor
When you’re looking at different training providers, don’t just go for the cheapest or the one with the flashiest marketing. Think about what your company actually needs. Are you dealing with a lot of phishing attempts? Do your employees handle sensitive data? The best vendor will have solutions that fit your specific risks.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Content Relevance: Does the training cover the threats your employees are most likely to face? Generic training might not cut it.
- Engagement: Is the material interesting? If it’s boring, people won’t pay attention, and that defeats the purpose. Look for interactive elements, real-world examples, and varied formats.
- Reporting and Metrics: Can you actually see if the training is working? Good vendors provide clear data on completion rates, quiz scores, and even how employee behavior changes over time.
- Integration: Does it play nice with your other security tools? Sometimes, training can be more effective when it’s linked to other systems.
Future Outlook for Security Awareness
Things change fast in the security world, and training needs to keep up. We’re seeing a move away from one-size-fits-all, annual training sessions. The future looks more like continuous learning, with regular, bite-sized updates and simulations that mimic real-world attacks.
Expect to see:
- More Personalization: Training tailored to an individual’s role and their specific risk profile.
- AI-Driven Content: Using artificial intelligence to adapt training based on user performance and emerging threats.
- Gamification: Making learning more fun and competitive to boost engagement.
- Focus on Behavior: Moving beyond just knowledge to actually changing how people act online.
The Importance of User Engagement
Honestly, the best training in the world is useless if nobody actually engages with it. Think about it – if you’re bored to tears during a training session, are you really going to remember anything or change your habits? Getting users to care about security is the real challenge.
This means:
- Making it relatable: Use examples that employees can understand and connect with in their daily work.
- Getting leadership buy-in: When managers and executives talk about security and participate in training, it sends a strong message.
- Positive reinforcement: Acknowledge and reward good security practices, rather than just focusing on mistakes.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Building a strong security culture takes time and consistent effort, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Wrapping It Up
So, what does all this mean for businesses trying to get a handle on security awareness training? The 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant shows us that the leaders in this space are really stepping up their game. They’re not just offering basic phishing tests anymore. We’re seeing more personalized training, better ways to track progress, and a focus on making the learning stick. It’s clear that keeping employees safe online is a big deal, and these top companies are making it easier for organizations to build a stronger human firewall. If you’re looking to improve your security training, checking out who Gartner highlighted is a good place to start. It’s about finding a partner who understands that training isn’t a one-and-done thing, but an ongoing effort to keep pace with the bad guys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training?
Think of the Gartner Magic Quadrant as a yearly report card for companies that offer security awareness training. Gartner, a research company, looks at many different training providers and ranks them based on how well they sell their products (their “ability to execute”) and how good their future plans are (their “completeness of vision”). It helps businesses figure out which training companies are leaders in the field.
Who were the top companies in the 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training?
The 2019 report highlighted several leaders. Companies like KnowBe4, Proofpoint, and Cofense were recognized for their strong offerings. Each company had different strengths, whether it was their wide range of training options, how well they could reach many users, or their innovative approaches to keeping people safe online.
What are the main trends in security awareness training today?
Training isn’t just about watching videos anymore! Today, it’s more interactive. Companies are using fake “phishing” emails to teach people how to spot real ones. They’re also using ideas from psychology to make the training stick better, and they’re connecting their training programs with other security tools to catch problems faster.
How can my company make its security awareness training better?
To make your training effective, you need to focus on the specific dangers your company faces. For example, if your business handles a lot of financial data, you’ll want training that addresses financial scams. It’s also super important to measure if the training is actually working by seeing if people are making fewer mistakes. And remember, learning shouldn’t stop; it’s an ongoing process.
What’s the most important thing to remember about security awareness training?
The biggest goal is to get people involved and paying attention. If employees don’t care about the training or find it boring, they won’t learn. Making the training engaging, relevant to their daily work, and easy to understand is key to building a strong defense against cyber threats.
Why is security awareness training important for businesses?
Even with the best technology, people are often the weakest link when it comes to security. Mistakes like clicking on a bad link or using a weak password can lead to big problems, like data theft or system shutdowns. Good training helps turn employees into a strong line of defense, protecting the company from these costly mistakes.
