Even a single inadvertent click by an employee can lead to a major security incident, a reminder that the best technical defenses can be undermined by human error. Human mistakes contribute to the vast majority of breaches. According to recent research, 95% of data breaches involve human error. This startling figure highlights the importance of investing in people, not just technology, to safeguard sensitive data. Cybersecurity awareness training has emerged as a critical tool in this effort. It not only reduces the likelihood of incidents, but it is also explicitly required by major security frameworks like ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 for compliance.
Modern enterprises—across industries and sizes—are often required to demonstrate robust cybersecurity practices. For a business owner, understanding how employee awareness ties into compliance is essential. This article explores how cybersecurity awareness training supports your compliance journey with ISO 27001 or SOC 2. We’ll break down what these standards expect, why training is a cornerstone of meeting those expectations, and how effective training programs can foster a culture of security that benefits the entire organization.
Cybersecurity awareness training educates employees on how to recognize and respond to threats, effectively connecting human behavior with technical security controls (represented by the padlock icons above). This training covers topics like phishing detection, safe password practices, data handling policies, and incident reporting. The goal is to turn staff into a first line of defense against cyber attacks, rather than a weak link.
At its core, security awareness training is an ongoing educational program that equips employees with knowledge and skills to avoid cyber threats. Through regular training sessions, simulations (like fake phishing emails), and policy reminders, employees learn how to spot suspicious activities and follow best practices. For example, they might practice identifying phishing emails or undergo drills on responding to a potential data breach. Over time, this builds habits that can prevent incidents before they happen.
Importantly, awareness training isn’t a one-off checkbox exercise—it’s most effective as a continuous effort. Threats evolve rapidly, so training content must be kept up-to-date and conducted at regular intervals (such as during onboarding and annual refreshers). When done right, cybersecurity training not only reduces the risk of breaches but also helps meet compliance obligations, as we’ll discuss in the context of ISO 27001 and SOC 2.
ISO/IEC 27001 is a globally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Organizations seeking ISO 27001 certification must implement a comprehensive set of security controls and management practices to protect information. This standard is industry-agnostic, it’s used in finance, healthcare, technology, government, and more, and is often required by business partners or regulators to ensure a baseline of security. Achieving ISO 27001 certification means an accredited auditor has verified that the organization is following best practices to manage risk and safeguard data.
Key aspects of ISO 27001 include conducting risk assessments, defining security policies, controlling access to information, and preparing for incident response. These controls are outlined in Annex A of the standard (which lists specific security measures) and are supported by clauses in the main standard text. One of those clauses, as we’ll see next, deals directly with employee awareness and training.
ISO 27001 explicitly recognizes that people are a critical part of security. In fact, Clause 7.3 of ISO 27001 (“Awareness”) requires organizations to ensure all employees are aware of information security policies, understand the importance of security, and know their responsibilities. In practical terms, this means an organization must raise security awareness among staff and provide training on security procedures. An ISO 27001 auditor will expect to see evidence that employees have been educated about the company’s security policies and the role they play in keeping information safe.
There’s also an updated control in the 2022 revision of the standard (Annex A control 6.3) dedicated to information security awareness and training. This control emphasizes implementing ongoing security education programs so that employees “understand and fulfil their security responsibilities”. Regular training sessions, reminders, and updates are encouraged to keep security top-of-mind for personnel. For example, the ISO 27002 guidance (which supports ISO 27001) advises that all employees should receive appropriate security awareness training and regular updates relevant to their role.
Why is this so important? Because even with strong policies and cutting-edge technology, an uninformed employee can accidentally cause a breach—by clicking a phishing link, using a weak password, or mishandling data. ISO 27001’s focus on awareness is about creating a security-aware culture where everyone knows the do’s and don’ts. If employees are well-trained, many security incidents can be avoided altogether, which in turn helps an organization maintain its ISO 27001 controls effectively. It also makes passing the ISO audit easier: trained staff are less likely to violate procedures, and the organization can readily demonstrate its training activities through records and attendance logs.
Moreover, during ISO 27001 certification audits, auditors often interview employees or review training records to verify that the awareness program is in place and effective. Companies pursuing ISO 27001 compliance typically document their awareness training schedule (e.g. annual mandatory training courses, phishing simulation results, etc.) as part of the evidence. A strong training program supports compliance by reducing human risk, which means fewer incidents to report and manage, and by satisfying the specific requirements of the standard regarding staff awareness.
SOC 2 is a security compliance framework popular in North America, especially among technology and service companies. Unlike ISO 27001 (which is an international standard), SOC 2 is an auditing standard developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Organizations don’t get “certified” to SOC 2 in the same way as ISO; instead, they undergo a rigorous audit and receive a SOC 2 attestation report from an independent CPA firm. This report evaluates the organization’s controls against the Trust Services Criteria, which cover five principles: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
The Security principle is mandatory for all SOC 2 reports and encompasses a broad range of controls to protect against unauthorized access (firewalls, access controls, etc.). The other principles may be included as needed based on the organization’s services (for example, a data storage provider would include Confidentiality, a cloud service might include Availability, etc.). Overall, SOC 2 is all about demonstrating that you have effective operational controls and processes to safeguard customer data.
SOC 2 has become a de facto requirement for many B2B companies, clients and partners often demand a SOC 2 report before they’ll trust a vendor with sensitive data. It’s not a legal mandate, but it’s a business-driven necessity in many sectors. Achieving SOC 2 compliance shows that your organization meets a high standard of information security practices, which can provide a competitive edge and build customer trust.
Just like ISO 27001, SOC 2 places significant emphasis on the human element of security. In the Trust Services Criteria for Security (common criteria shared across SOC 2 audits), there is a specific requirement to have a security awareness and training program for personnel. SOC 2 in fact requires that all staff receive regular security awareness training, covering key topics such as cyber hygiene, proper data handling, recognizing phishing and social engineering attacks, and understanding their compliance responsibilities. In other words, to pass a SOC 2 audit, an organization must be able to show it has an ongoing employee cybersecurity training program in place.
Auditors will seek evidence of this training. For example, during a SOC 2 audit, you should expect the auditor to request training records, dates of training sessions, which employees attended, and what topics were covered. If an organization cannot produce proof that it conducted regular security training, it will likely fail to meet the SOC 2 requirements. This is why companies preparing for SOC 2 often make it a priority to implement or bolster their security awareness initiatives well before the audit begins.
Beyond being a checkbox, the reasoning is clear: employees trained in security are less likely to make mistakes that lead to breaches. SOC 2 auditors (and the criteria itself) recognize that policies and technologies alone are not enough; employees need to be informed and vigilant. The standard’s Common Criteria 2.2 actually states that management should “communicate information to improve security knowledge and awareness and to model appropriate security behaviors to personnel through a security awareness training program.”. This aligns closely with the ISO requirements we discussed, both frameworks converge on the idea that human awareness is essential to an effective security program.
For example, under SOC 2, a company might be expected to train its staff annually on security practices, run phishing email tests, and ensure that new hires receive security training during onboarding. All these actions should be documented. If an employee does cause a security incident (say, falling for a phishing scam), the auditors will check if that person had been trained and whether the organization took steps to reinforce training afterward. Regular training not only helps prevent incidents, it also positions the organization to show a proactive stance on risk management, which is looked upon favorably in audits.
While we’ve focused on compliance requirements, it’s important to note that security awareness training is not just about pleasing auditors, it has real security benefits for the organization. A well-educated workforce can dramatically reduce the likelihood of incidents that threaten your compliance status and your business as a whole. Consider these outcomes from security awareness programs:
In summary, effective security awareness training pays dividends by reducing incidents, mitigating risks, and increasing adherence to security policies. These outcomes, in turn, make it much easier for an organization to maintain compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Fewer incidents mean fewer compliance headaches (such as having to report breaches or justify control failures), and a knowledgeable workforce means audits are less likely to uncover gaps in understanding or practice.
Simply having a yearly slide presentation for employees to click through might satisfy a basic compliance checkbox, but it won’t truly reduce risk or impress auditors. To support ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance, your security awareness program should be engaging, comprehensive, and well-documented. Here are some best practices for building an effective program:
By following these practices, an organization can ensure that its security awareness training is not a mere formality, but rather a powerful tool for risk reduction and compliance maintenance. A robust program will help employees not only know what to do (or not do), but truly understand why it matters.
Compliance standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 can often feel heavy on documentation and formal controls, but at their heart, they acknowledge a simple truth: people play a central role in keeping information secure. Cybersecurity awareness training is the bridge that connects your human workforce to your compliance objectives. By educating employees, you’re empowering them to make smart decisions that protect the organization and its data.
For HR leaders, investing in a strong security awareness program yields dual benefits. It supports compliance, helping tick the required boxes for ISO 27001 audits and SOC 2 reports, and it genuinely improves security. Think of awareness training as preventive maintenance for your organization’s security posture: it addresses the root cause of many incidents (human error) before those incidents can threaten your compliance standing or cause financial and reputational damage.
In conclusion, achieving ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance isn’t just about having the right policies on paper or the latest security appliances installed. It’s also about cultivating a culture where every employee understands their part in cybersecurity. When employees are aware and vigilant, they become an asset in your defense strategy rather than a liability. This culture of security not only makes passing audits easier but also fortifies your organization against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
By giving equal attention to technology, processes, and people, organizations can meet the stringent requirements of frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 while also building a resilient security environment. Cybersecurity awareness training is the cornerstone of that people-centric approach to compliance. It turns requirements into reality, ensuring that security principles are lived day-to-day, not just checked off during an audit. For any business aiming to stay secure and compliant, that is a lesson well worth learning.
Cybersecurity awareness training educates employees on how to recognize and respond to cyber threats, helping to reduce human error-related security incidents.
ISO 27001 requires ongoing employee awareness programs to ensure all staff are educated about security policies, which helps avoid breaches and maintain compliance.
SOC 2 requires regular security awareness training for all staff to ensure they understand key security practices, reducing human error and improving security posture.
Security awareness training helps reduce incidents like phishing attacks, improves incident response times, and strengthens the organization's security culture, lowering overall risk.
An effective program includes regular training, interactive simulations, documentation, and continuous improvements based on metrics to reduce security risks and ensure compliance.