The benefits of security awareness: defending against phishing, social engineering, and related threats
We live in an era where digital technology permeates every aspect of our daily lives. Email, online banking, social networks, and corporate collaboration platforms have become indispensable tools.
However, where there is more connectivity, risks also arise: phishing, social engineering, malware, and other cyber threats target not only systems but, above all, people.
The first line of defense is not a firewall or antivirus, but the user. An employee, a collaborator, or even an ordinary citizen who is aware of digital risks represents a far greater barrier for a cybercriminal than any technology.
In this context, security awareness—awareness and experiential training on cyber risks—has become an essential skill, on par with basic technical knowledge.
Why security awareness is essential
Security awareness is not an abstract concept. It means providing users with practical and cognitive tools to recognize a fraud attempt, know how to respond, and avoid falling victim to psychological or digital manipulation.
For example, a well-crafted phishing attack can look exactly like an authentic email from a bank, a supplier, or even a colleague.
Similarly, social engineering can exploit trust and inattention: an urgent message, a call from a supposed IT technician, or a fake login page requesting credentials.
Being aware means developing a sort of “digital sixth sense,” prompting the user to pause before clicking, carefully read the details, and, if necessary, seek confirmation through secure channels.
The risks for companies and organizations
If a user falls victim to a phishing or social engineering attack, the consequences can be devastating not only for them but for the entire organization they belong to. Typical scenarios include:
Credential theft: a single compromised account can allow attackers to access internal networks, confidential documents, or payment systems.
Ransomware: one wrong click on an attachment can trigger an infection that encrypts company data, blocking entire departments or essential services.
Reputational damage: if customer or citizen data is stolen, trust in the organization plummets.
Economic and legal costs: fines from GDPR or the NIS2 Directive, operational disruptions, recovery expenses, and legal/cybersecurity consulting costs.
Compromise of public services: in public entities, an attack can block critical citizen services, with potentially devastating social impacts.
Just one unaware employee can open a breach that puts hundreds of colleagues, thousands of users, and millions of euros at risk.
The benefits of experiential security awareness
Experiential training proves far more effective than a simple lecture or reading written guidelines.
The reasons for this success are numerous; here are the main ones:
Active learning
Phishing simulations, role-playing, and interactive tests train people to recognize warning signs as they occur.
Long-term memory
Experiencing a mock attack firsthand increases the ability to recall the event and respond correctly in the future.
Behavioral change
Security awareness doesn’t just transfer knowledge but builds new daily habits—checking links, verifying sources, distrusting suspicious urgency.
Shared culture
Within a company, a group of aware individuals creates a protective ecosystem that drastically reduces the likelihood of incidents.
Best practices for security awareness
Many recommendations are well-known: don’t share passwords, don’t click suspicious links, update software. But there are less obvious practices that can make a real difference:
- Train healthy skepticism: not paranoia, but the habit of verifying unusual communications. An “urgent” email from the boss? Better to call directly (or alert IT) to confirm.
- Maintain digital hygiene: use password managers, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid reusing credentials across accounts. This limits damage even if an external service is breached.
- Watch for emotional language: fraudulent emails exploit fear, urgency, or guilt. An overly pressing tone is often a red flag.
- Segment accounts: separate personal from work access and limit permissions to reduce the attack surface.
- Use official channels for verification: if a message comes from the bank, don’t click the link—log in via the official app or manually typed website.
- Manage shared information: what we post on social media (badge photos, job details, colleague names) can become ammunition for targeted attacks.
- Practice independently: even outside the workplace, users can train themselves. Receive a suspicious email? Stop, analyze it, and identify what raised your suspicions.
Security awareness for individuals, companies, and public entities
For private citizens, becoming aware means protecting savings, personal data, and family privacy. A single fraudulent SMS can empty a bank account.
In companies, a trained employee becomes a strategic ally, defending not only themselves but the entire production system.
For public sector employees, awareness is crucial to safeguard citizen services, avoid disruptions in healthcare, transport, or public administration.
Ultimately, the greatest benefit is that an aware user reduces their own vulnerability and, in turn, lowers the overall risk exposure of the entire digital community.
Acquiring security awareness with TelsySkills
Theory is useful, but it’s not enough on its own. Direct experience is what transforms people into active defenders. TelsySkills was created with this goal: to provide practical and interactive training paths that enable users to develop real, long-lasting cybersecurity skills.
Through realistic phishing simulations, interactive labs, and personalized training modules, TelsySkills guides companies, public entities, and private citizens on a gradual journey of growth. It’s not just about learning “what to do” but practicing in realistic contexts, learning to respond with confidence and clarity.
The added value of TelsySkills lies in combining technology with teaching methods: the user is not a passive spectator but the protagonist of their own learning. This approach helps develop a resilient mindset, ready to recognize threats and counter them with concrete behaviors.
Security awareness is, in fact, a competitive advantage, a guarantee of operational continuity, and a form of social protection. It’s not just about companies or public entities—it’s about each of us.
Investing in experiential training means protecting data, money, reputation, and services. It means making our digital lives safer.
Learn more about TelsySkills or contact us at contact@telsy.it