The Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model: Where Does Your Organization Stand?

The Human Element in Cybersecurity Risk

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technology issue, it’s a people issue. The majority of data breaches involve human error or behavior; in fact, 74% of breaches include a “human element,” such as falling for phishing, using stolen credentials, or making mistakes. A dramatic example was the 2022 Uber breach, where an attacker tricked an employee through social engineering and gained administrator access. This incident showed that even a tech-savvy company can be compromised by one person’s lapse, hackers know the easiest way in is often through a human, and even strong passwords or encryption mean little if an employee is duped.

To counter these risks, organizations invest in security awareness programs to educate employees and foster a “human firewall.” But simply having a training program is not enough. The effectiveness of such programs varies widely. Some companies treat awareness training as a once-a-year compliance checkbox, while others weave security mindfulness into everyday culture. This is where the concept of a Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model comes in. It’s a framework to evaluate and improve how well your organization’s people, policies, and practices are prepared to defend against cyber threats. By understanding where you stand on the maturity scale, you can identify gaps and strategically build a stronger security culture.

Global perspective: Managing human cyber risk is a worldwide challenge, spanning all industries. A 2023 study of security awareness professionals across 80 countries underscored this reality. Around the globe, business leaders are recognizing that an alert, well-trained workforce is often the last line of defense. Even international standards emphasize this, for example, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework explicitly includes security awareness and training as a core requirement for all users. Clearly, improving the human factor in security is top-of-mind from boardrooms to government agencies. The question is, how do you measure and mature that human factor? This article will explore a proven maturity model for cybersecurity awareness and help you determine where your organization stands on the spectrum.

In cybersecurity, “maturity” refers to the development level of an organization’s processes and capabilities. For security awareness programs, maturity reflects how thoroughly embedded and effective the training and culture are within the organization. A Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model provides a structured way to gauge this. One widely used framework is the SANS Security Awareness Maturity Model, established in 2011 with input from over 200 organizations. This model has become an industry standard for benchmarking the human aspect of security. It enables organizations to assess their current program, identify why it might not be achieving desired results, and map out steps to improve.

Crucially, the maturity model serves not just as a report card, but as a roadmap. By categorizing programs into levels, it helps communicate to leadership what’s needed to manage human risk more effectively. For example, if your company’s training is ad-hoc and purely compliance-driven, the model would label it a lower maturity level and provide guidance to progress to the next level. This structured approach helps justify investments (such as hiring a dedicated awareness specialist or buying new training content) by showing how they will reduce human risk. Ultimately, improving maturity means moving from a reactive stance, “we train because we have to”, to a proactive stance where security awareness is continuously nurtured and measured for impact. Organizations that adopt structured Cybersecurity Training programs aligned with recognized maturity models can more effectively build lasting awareness, reinforce positive behaviors, and reduce overall human risk.

Another benefit of using a maturity model is its alignment with broader cybersecurity frameworks and global best practices. Many cybersecurity standards and regulations, from ISO/IEC 27001 to national cybersecurity guidelines, call for ongoing staff awareness and training. For instance, the U.S. NIST Cybersecurity Framework includes a control stating “all users are informed and trained” as part of basic protective measures. This underscores that a mature cybersecurity posture universally involves an educated workforce. By benchmarking your program against a maturity model, you not only improve internal risk management but also ensure you meet the expectations set by these frameworks and your industry’s regulators. In short, understanding where your awareness efforts stand today is the first step in fortifying the human element of your cybersecurity strategy.

Security awareness programs typically evolve through five maturity levels. Each level reflects how ingrained and effective security practices are among your employees. Below are the five stages defined by the SANS Security Awareness Maturity Model, from the least mature to the most advanced:

1. Nonexistent, “We don’t have a program.” At this baseline stage, there is no formal security awareness program in place. Training is absent, and employees are essentially unaware of cyber threats. People have no idea they could be targets or how their actions impact the organization’s security. They likely do not know about any security policies and will easily fall victim to attacks in this state. Organizations at this level have a critical exposure: the human element is completely undefended.
   
2. Compliance-Focused, “Check the box.” This is a common starting point for many companies. A security awareness program exists primarily to satisfy compliance or audit requirements. Training is conducted, but only in a limited fashion, often once a year or on an ad-hoc basis to meet policy minima. The content might be a mandatory annual online course or a slideshow employees rush through. Because of this minimal approach, employees remain unsure of security policies and their role in protecting company assets. The program meets regulations on paper, but it doesn’t truly change behavior or reduce risk in practice.
   
3. Promoting Awareness & Behavior Change, “Engage and educate.” At this mid-level maturity, the organization moves beyond checkbox compliance to truly influence behavior. The program identifies key risk areas and target groups (for example, focusing on phishing awareness for finance staff, or safe data handling for HR). Training is ongoing throughout the year, not just a one-time event. There is a mix of activities, e.g. interactive e-learning modules, phishing simulation exercises, regular security tips, posters or intranet campaigns, all designed in an engaging, positive manner to keep security top-of-mind. The goal here is culture change: employees start to understand and follow security policies in daily work and can actively recognize and report potential incidents (such as spotting a suspicious email and notifying IT). At this stage, you’ll see behavior shifts: fewer people clicking on phishing emails and more people practicing good cyber hygiene because they want to, not just because they’re forced to.
   
4. Long-Term Sustainment & Culture Change, “Security is part of our DNA.” Organizations at this level have established processes, resources, and support to sustain the awareness program for the long haul. Security awareness isn’t a project with an end date; it’s an integral part of the company’s culture. There is at least an annual cycle of reviewing and updating the program, ensuring content stays current with evolving threats. Leadership actively supports these efforts, and security responsibilities are woven into onboarding, team meetings, and everyday business processes. As a result, the program remains fresh, current, and engaging year after year. At this stage, the organization goes beyond just changing individual behaviors, it is shaping positive attitudes and beliefs about security across the workforce. You might hear employees talking about security best practices unprompted, or see teams taking initiative to incorporate security into their projects. Security-aware behavior becomes second nature, reflecting a true culture change.
   
5. Metrics Framework, “Measure, optimize, and lead.” This is the pinnacle of maturity, where the program is not only cultural but also data-driven. The organization has a robust metrics framework aligned with business objectives to continually track the impact of security awareness efforts. For example, they measure phishing click rates, report rates of incidents, secure behavior adoption metrics, department-wise training completion, and so on. More importantly, they use these metrics to drive continuous improvement. If data shows a certain department has more incidents, training is adjusted for that audience. If phishing simulations show improved resilience, those results are communicated as proof of the program’s ROI. At this level, the security awareness team can clearly demonstrate return on investment and value to the organization. The program is in a cycle of constant refinement, backed by leadership support because it’s showing tangible results (like reduced incidents or losses). Achieving this stage often means your security awareness program is seen as a model for others, your organization leads in fostering a truly security-conscious workforce.
   

Not every organization will reach Level 5, and that’s okay. The goal is to use these levels to benchmark where you are and plan what to do next. For instance, if you recognize that you’re currently at Level 2 (Compliance-Focused), you can set goals to incorporate more ongoing training and engagement (Level 3) over the next year. The maturity model is a journey of continuous improvement rather than a one-time audit.

Where do you currently stand on the maturity scale? To find out, you can perform a self-assessment against the characteristics of each level. Consider these diagnostic questions and signs:

• Program existence and frequency: Do you have a structured security awareness program at all? If no, you’re at Level 1 (Nonexistent). If yes, is training only done once a year to satisfy policy or client demands? If it’s mostly a yearly checkbox exercise, you’re likely Level 2 (Compliance-Focused). On the other hand, if you have periodic phishing tests, regular security newsletters, or multiple training touchpoints a year, you might be at least Level 3 or above.
  
• Content and engagement: Examine how training is delivered. Is it generic and boring, or tailored and engaging? At Level 2, many employees might tune out and be unable to recall policies. By Level 3, you’d see more creative content and perhaps different training for different roles (developers get software security training, general staff get phishing and password training, etc.). If employees are actually talking about security tips or reporting suspicious activity, that’s a sign of Level 3+ engagement. If people proactively follow policies and report incidents, as described in Level 3, you’re on the right track.
  
• Cultural integration: How ingrained is security in daily business? At Level 4, security awareness becomes part of the company culture. Signs of this might include leadership mentioning security in communications, departments including security in their workflows, and an overall attitude that “security is everyone’s job.” If you have an annual review of the awareness program and update it regularly with management support, those are strong Level 4 indicators. If, conversely, security training is often skipped or seen as a nuisance, you are still below this level.
  
• Resources and ownership: An often overlooked clue to maturity is how your security awareness efforts are staffed and funded. Mature programs tend to have dedicated personnel and budget. A recent global report found that the most mature organizations had at least three full-time employees devoted to security awareness, with strong leadership backing. In contrast, in many organizations security awareness is a part-time responsibility tacked onto someone’s job; in fact, 70% of security awareness practitioners said they spend only half their time or less on awareness programs. If your company hasn’t assigned full-time roles or allocated resources for ongoing awareness activities, it may be stuck in the lower maturity tiers (often Level 2, where it’s treated as a low-priority compliance task). Moving to higher maturity will likely require more investment in people and tools for the program.
  
• Metrics and improvement: Ask if you are measuring the effectiveness of your training. Do you track how many phishing emails were reported versus how many were clicked? Do you have data to show the executives that “last quarter, our phishing click rate dropped from 20% to 5% after implementing new training”? If you’re collecting and acting on such metrics, you are operating with a Level 5 mindset. If you have virtually no metrics beyond perhaps counting how many people took the annual training, you’re operating at a lower maturity.
  

Performing this kind of assessment can be informal, but it should be honest. Some organizations use detailed questionnaires or the SANS Maturity Model Indicators Matrix, a tool that lists specific criteria for each stage, to pinpoint their level. Whether formal or informal, the key is to identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be. That gap will inform your strategy for improvement.

Improving your cybersecurity awareness maturity is an ongoing process. Here are strategies and best practices to help move your program to the next level:

• Secure Leadership Buy-In: One of the most crucial success factors is getting support from the top. Executives and managers should treat security awareness as a strategic initiative, not just an IT checkbox. Speak the language of risk and business outcomes when making your case. Explain how human errors (like phishing attacks) can translate into financial loss, reputation damage, or operational disruption. According to the SANS 2023 report, many in leadership still perceive awareness training as a compliance chore unless you “talk in terms of human risk” that align with business priorities. Show them data (for example, how phishing is costing companies billions or how improving reporting rates can prevent incidents) to make the value tangible. Leadership buy-in can lead to more resources, more visibility, and a stronger security culture from the top down.
  
• Expand Training Beyond Annual Sessions: If you’re currently only doing annual training, introduce more frequent and varied touchpoints. Regular phishing simulation exercises are a great way to keep employees alert to threats. Monthly or quarterly newsletters, short videos, internal blog posts, or team meeting talking points can reinforce key practices continuously. The goal is to create repetition without fatigue, brief, engaging reminders spread throughout the year. This continual reinforcement is a hallmark of moving from a low maturity to a higher one. Remember, people tend to forget one-off trainings, but when security messages are woven into the fabric of work life, the lessons stick.
  
• Make Awareness Engaging and Relevant: Dry, generic training content will not change behaviors. Use storytelling, real-world examples, and interactive learning to capture attention. Customize content to your audience’s roles and the specific threats they face (e.g., finance department needs to watch out for invoice fraud, while developers should be aware of secure coding practices). Positive messaging is also important. Encourage reporting of incidents by celebrating those who speak up, rather than scaring or shaming people for mistakes. An engaging program helps cultivate the proactive attitudes seen in more mature security cultures.
  
• Invest in Your Awareness Team: As your program grows, consider dedicating staff to manage it. Having a coordinator or team that wakes up every day thinking about how to educate and rally your workforce is a game changer. These professionals can plan campaigns, track metrics, and continuously improve content. If you can’t hire new staff, form a cross-functional committee (HR, IT, Security, Communications) that meets regularly to drive the program. The difference between an ad-hoc, part-time effort and a well-resourced program often marks the leap from basic compliance to a sustained culture of security. Along with people, invest in tools, learning platforms, phishing simulation services, etc., that can automate and enhance your training delivery.
  
• Measure and Adapt: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it,” as the saying goes. Define a set of metrics that matter for human risk management. Common examples include: phishing email click rates, percentage of employees who report phishing attempts, completion rates for training modules, results of periodic quizzes or assessments, and even observations from internal audits (e.g., tailgating incidents or password inspection results). Track these over time and share the trends with stakeholders. Use positive trends to demonstrate the program’s impact (for instance, a steady drop in click rates shows improved vigilance). One global benchmarking study found that with consistent training, organizations reduced their phishing “click susceptibility” by 40% in just 3 months, and by 86% after one year of ongoing training. This dramatic improvement illustrates that measuring and iterating works. If you find certain metrics not improving, adjust your approach, maybe some content isn’t resonating, or perhaps a particular department needs extra attention. Metrics will illuminate where to focus your efforts and help justify any changes or resources you request.
  
• Foster a Security Culture: Ultimately, the goal is to embed security awareness into your organizational culture. Encourage informal champions or ambassadors in different teams who promote good practices. Integrate security topics into town halls or company-wide communications. Recognize teams or individuals who excel in following security best practices (for example, an award for a team that had zero phishing click incidents and promptly reported all simulations). When employees see that “security is everyone’s responsibility” and not just a slogan, you know you are approaching a culture of security. By Level 4 of the maturity model, this culture is evident in everyday attitudes and workflows. Keep reinforcing the message that each person has a role in protecting the organization. Over time, this creates peer accountability, colleagues will remind each other about security, which is far more powerful than top-down rules alone.
  

Improving a security awareness program doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a cycle of plan–do–check–act: educate your people, evaluate the results, and refine the program. You might find that progress comes in stages, small wins like a bump in phishing reporting rates or a kudos from an executive about the latest security newsletter. Celebrate those milestones. They build momentum and buy-in for further improvements. With persistence, a company stuck in “compliance mode” can transform into one that truly has a security-aware workforce.

Cyber threats will continue to evolve, but one constant is the pivotal role of humans in either strengthening or undermining an organization’s security. Technology alone cannot stop every phishing email or prevent every careless click, people are the deciding factor. By understanding the Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model and honestly assessing where your organization stands, you’ve taken an important step toward managing that human factor proactively. Whether you discovered that your program is rudimentary or fairly advanced, remember that security awareness is a journey, not a destination. Even “Mature” organizations must continuously adapt their training and culture as new threats emerge and work environments change.

For HR professionals, CISOs, business owners, and enterprise leaders alike, the takeaway is clear: investing in your people’s cyber awareness is just as crucial as investing in firewalls and antivirus software. A well-trained, alert workforce can dramatically reduce incidents and losses, as studies and real-world cases continually show. Conversely, neglecting this area can leave you dangerously exposed, it only takes one uneducated employee to undo millions in security technology, as illustrated by incidents like the Uber breach.

The path to a security-aware culture involves commitment from all levels of the organization. It means creating an environment where security isn’t seen as an IT burden or a checkbox, but as a shared value and daily practice. The maturity model gives you a framework to plan this transformation: moving from basic compliance to behavior change, and eventually to a point where security mindfulness is woven into your organizational DNA. Achieving this won’t just improve your security posture; it can also empower your employees. People generally want to do the right thing, by giving them the knowledge and tools, you enable them to become your first line of defense rather than the weakest link.

In conclusion, take stock of your current awareness efforts and ask, “Where do we stand, and where do we want to be?” Use the insights from maturity models and global best practices to chart a course forward. Small steps, taken consistently, will compound into significant improvements over time. By continuously educating, engaging, and empowering your team, you will foster a resilient security culture. In today’s threat landscape, that cultural maturity might just be your organization’s greatest asset.

FAQ

What is the Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model?

The Cybersecurity Awareness Maturity Model is a framework that helps organizations assess and improve the effectiveness of their security awareness programs. It outlines stages from having no program at all to maintaining a metrics-driven, fully integrated security culture.

Why is measuring security awareness maturity important?

Measuring maturity helps identify gaps, align programs with global standards like NIST, and justify investments in training. It ensures the human element of cybersecurity is managed proactively, reducing the risk of breaches caused by human error.

What are the five levels of security awareness maturity?

The five levels are:

1. Nonexistent, no formal program.
   
   
2. Compliance-Focused, minimal training for regulatory purposes.
   
   
3. Promoting Awareness & Behavior Change, engaging, targeted education.
   
   
4. Long-Term Sustainment & Culture Change, ongoing, culturally integrated practices.
   
   
5. Metrics Framework, data-driven, continuously optimized programs.
   

How can my organization move to a higher maturity level?

You can advance by securing leadership buy-in, offering ongoing and role-specific training, making awareness engaging, dedicating resources, tracking performance metrics, and integrating security into daily business culture.

What role do employees play in cybersecurity maturity?

Employees are the first line of defense. A well-trained, aware workforce can prevent incidents like phishing attacks, protect sensitive data, and reinforce a strong security culture across the organization.