As cyber attacks continue to grow in scale, complexity, and sophistication, organisations face relentless pressure to protect sensitive information while enabling digital innovation, hybrid working, and cloud-based operations. Yet despite advancements in technical safeguards and security tools, one reality remains unchanged - employees are both the first line of defence and the most frequent point of compromise. 

According to the May 2025 House of Commons briefing ‘Cybersecurity in the UK’, around 95% of successful cyber attacks are estimated to involve human error. Despite this, many organisations still do not provide all staff with basic cyber awareness training. The result is a widening knowledge gap that leaves businesses vulnerable to phishing, credential theft, ransomware attacks and accidental data disclosure. 

Cyber training is therefore not a nice-to-have but a critical organisational requirement. For training to be truly effective, however, it must go beyond generic modules and tick-box exercises. Cybersecurity awareness must be relevant, repeatable, risk-driven, and integrated into wider governance and compliance frameworks. This is where the Data Protection Officer (DPO) plays a pivotal role. 

Why cyber awareness matters more than ever 

The cybersecurity landscape has changed dramatically in the past decade, with attacks no longer limited to highly technical activities. Cybercriminals now rely heavily on social engineering, psychological manipulation, and impersonation tactics that specifically target employees across all business functions. From finance teams receiving fraudulent payment instructions to HR departments unknowingly downloading malware disguised as CVs, every employee who handles information is now a target. 

Moreso, several factors and industry trends continue to heighten risk.  

  • Hybrid and remote working have expanded the attack surface. Staff frequently access corporate systems via home networks, personal devices, and public Wi-Fi, creating more opportunities for threat actors to gain access. 
  •  Cloud ecosystems and SaaS tools have multiplied access points. While digital transformation is essential, it requires employees to understand secure behaviour across multiple platforms, not just on corporate devices. 
  • AI-driven cybercrime has lowered the barrier for attackers. Phishing emails are now almost indistinguishable from legitimate communications, and deepfake technologies are increasingly used for payment fraud and identity theft. 
  • Regulators are intensifying expectations around organisational accountability. It is no longer enough to have technical controls in place; businesses must demonstrate that employees are trained to prevent data breaches and respond properly when incidents occur. 
  • The financial and reputational stakes are rising. Today, ransomware attacks, data-breach remediation, legal costs, downtime, and loss of customer trust can outstrip the cost of initial prevention many times over.  

Against this backdrop, employees must understand how attacks happen, how to protect systems and data, how to recognise social-engineering techniques, and how to report incidents without hesitation. When staff are equipped to respond confidently and consistently, organisations significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber attacks. 

The key advantages of cybersecurity training 

Investing in robust cyber awareness programmes can deliver benefits that extend beyond compliance, including: 

  • Mitigating risks associated with personal and BYOD devices 
    Hybrid and flexible working environments mean personal devices are now part of daily operations. Training helps employees understand how to maintain secure access, manage updates, and separate personal and professional data. 
  • Embedding a culture of shared responsibility 
    When staff understand their role in protecting personal and business information, security becomes a collective priority rather than a technical obligation. 
  • Accelerating incident recognition and response 
    Well-trained employees can spot red flags early (e.g. suspicious links, unexpected MFA requests, unauthorised file-sharing) and follow established escalation processes promptly.
  • Reducing human error and exposure to common threats 
    Awareness builds safer habits and significantly reduces the likelihood of common human errors that lead to data breaches (e.g. weak passwords, mis-sent emails, and oversharing).
  • Supporting regulatory compliance and demonstrating due diligence 
    Cyber training helps organisations meet legal obligations under GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and global frameworks, and provides auditable evidence of staff awareness activities.
  • Reinforcing customer trust and protecting brand reputation 
    Demonstrating investment in cybersecurity and data protection sends a strong message to clients, customers, and partners that security is prioritised at every level of the business. 

The DPO’s role in fostering a culture of security 

DPOs sit at the intersection of cybersecurity, data protection, and organisational risk management. Under GDPR Article 39, the DPO is responsible for informing, advising, monitoring compliance, and acting as a point of contact for regulators and data subjects. This makes them ideally positioned to lead or support cyber training initiatives. 

DPOs can strengthen cyber training outcomes in many ways, including: 

  • advising on legal obligations and integrating cyber training with GDPR and sector-specific requirements 

  • designing or reviewing training content to ensure alignment with data-protection risks and best practices 

  • developing policies and procedures that sit alongside training, such as acceptable use, secure remote working, and breach response 

  • conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and identifying high-risk processing areas that require targeted cyber awareness 

  • monitoring training adoption, effectiveness, and incident patterns to support continuous improvement 

  • leading incident response and feeding lessons learned directly back into future training cycles 

While Cyber Monday encourages organisations to scale digital operations, it also serves as a reminder that cybersecurity and data protection should be business-critical priorities every day of the year, and that the most advanced security tools will fall short if the human layer remains unprepared. 

At HewardMills, our global team of multi-disciplinary experts supports organisations across the world with bespoke training design and delivery, governance and compliance integration, evaluation and auditing of training effectiveness, and practical guidance to improve resilience and breach readiness. If you would like to explore how your organisation can strengthen its cyber awareness training and embed a security culture, get in touch.