Implementing, running and managing a successful security awareness program isn’t a simple, plug-and-go process. It involves a myriad of variables. It is time-consuming, especially if your organization doesn’t have enough staff dedicated to the program. It is expensive to develop, maintain, and customize all content to accommodate various learning methodologies, while accurately reflecting current cyber threats in today’s security landscape. And this is all especially difficult when you outsource a vendor to provide training content for your Learning Management System (LMS).
Consider these four elements to assist you in isolating and identifying the ideal vendor to ensure you’re providing effective content to your organization on your LMS:
- Choose Content that can be Easily Distributed
- Look for Varietal in Training Techniques
- Consider Expert-led Content
- Seek Sensitivity to Various Learning Methodologies
1. Choose Content that can be Easily Distributed
When choosing a vendor, a white-labeled package gives your security awareness team the ability to ensure the content is branded specifically for your organization. Your content will perform best when you have the capability to manage and distribute your own content, as opposed to pre-packaged content from your vendor. While selecting pre-packaged content may seem like a convenient option in the onset of your program, it lacks the ability to be customized for your learner’s success.
2. Look for Varietal in Training Techniques
Seek to engage all learners through various training techniques. It can help maximize engagement from learners by allowing them to choose from the format they feel the most comfortable digesting the information. Inquire how your vendor presents the training information. Is it just videos overlaid by monotoned voice over? If so, chances are the learners are less likely to be engaged. Seek dynamic training materials that will promote ongoing opportunities for learners to practice and apply their skills.
3. Consider Expert-led Content
Security awareness training content not only needs to be understandable and informative, but it needs to be relatable. When your content is developed and authored by experts in their field, you’re ensuring that the content is relatable to the learner and that the content has a pulse on current cyber security landscape. It is also wise to consider that when learning experts are involved in the content development process. It provides sensitivity to learning behaviors while reinforcing every element of cyber defense.
4. Seek Sensitivity to Various Learning Methodologies
In your effort to create a culture of cyber awareness, consider that learning is a multi-step process. Therefore, it is unrealistic to assume your learners will retain information in the same manner as their peers. When selecting a vendor to provide content for your LMS, rely on a vendor that is sensitive to the three stages to learning:
- Remembering the information
- Understanding/comprehending the information presented
- Application of what was taught
What Next?
Learn more about how you can better select a vendor for your LMS content. We’ve created a Complete Selection Guide for you to use as your companion while you’re narrowing down your list of vendors. Included in this guide is a Vendor Selection Checklist, which outline expectations you should set for your security awareness program. It also provides questions to ask your candidates to ensure your organization’s overall success.