Most companies treat cybersecurity training as another task to check off their to-do list, but in reality, these workshops can be an effective mitigation tool for human errors.
IBM reports that 95% of recorded breaches are caused by human errors, such as clicking on phishing links, using weak passwords, and neglecting essential security practices.
All these actions can create openings in a secure infrastructure, which is why offering security awareness training is an essential practice for MSPs.
In this guide, we’ll help you create a scalable cybersecurity training program for your clients that drives real behavior change.
The MSPs’ guide to building a client-agnostic cybersecurity training program
Step 1: Build your framework
The first step to creating a scalable security awareness training program is building a well-structured framework. This involves:
- Developing reusable training modules for core topics such as phishing, password hygiene, and data handling
- Assigning internal roles:
- A Program Coordinator who will oversee the training operations
- A Client Champion who will handle client-specific needs
- A Compliance Reviewer who will ensure your training program meets regulatory standards
- Creating general and compliance-specific (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR) versions of your training program
- Choosing a delivery model based on client requirements: self-paced vs. instructor-led
Think of this step as building the foundation for your training program. The framework will serve as the blueprint for all your modules and workshops.
Step 2: Automate the delivery of your training modules and track training progress
Now that you’ve finalized the framework of your training program, it’s time to deliver it to your clients.
If you work with multiple tenants, you can automate the delivery of your training modules using Group Policy Objects (GPOs) or an endpoint management platform like NinjaOne.
Afterward, create login scripts or email triggers to automate reminders. Here’s an example script you can use:
| $last = Get-ItemPropertyValue -Path “HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Org\SecurityTraining” -Name “LastCompleted” -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue if ($last) { |
To track everyone’s progress, use a PowerShell script that writes a user’s completion date to the Windows Registry, such as:
| Set-ItemProperty -Path “HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Org\SecurityTraining” -Name “LastCompleted” -Value (Get-Date) |
Finally, collect all logs in your Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool or Professional Services Automation (PSA) system to ensure audit readiness.
Step 3: Customize your training program based on risk and role sensitivity
Not all users face the same risks, so it’s important that you customize the content of your training modules according to risk levels and job functions. For instance:
- Finance and executive staff: Spear phishing, data exfiltration
- IT and admin roles: Privilege escalation, insider threat
It would also be helpful to include client-specific add-ons for regulatory compliance.
Different industries have different security frameworks they must follow. So, to ensure compliance, your training program should be client-agnostic and be able to accommodate varying client requirements.
Step 4: Make the training engaging
A cybersecurity training program only works if users apply what they’ve learned in real life. Yet, most users don’t take these workshops seriously because they find them boring.
That said, you need to make the experience more interactive and rewarding to ensure users pay attention. Some strategies you can use to make your training program more enjoyable include:
- Adding leaderboards, point systems, or progress dashboards.
- Running phishing simulations with real-time feedback.
- Delivering micro-content such as posters, endpoint banners, and security teams.
- Recognizing top performers through monthly spotlights or certificates.
Step 5: Showcase the results to your clients
To showcase the effectiveness of your training program to your clients, you can:
- Track training completion and simulation outcomes.
- Create cohort reports to demonstrate user improvement.
- Provide dashboards and monthly or quarterly rollups tailored to each client.
- Highlight risky user behavior for targeted follow-up.
These steps will help you highlight the value that your cybersecurity training offers.
Step 6: Continuously review and improve your training program
Security threats are constantly evolving, and so should your training program. You need to review the content of your modules quarterly to ensure it aligns with the latest trends in threat evolution.
Gathering user feedback can also help close knowledge gaps. Learners can give you insights into how to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your training content.
You can also include real-world breach examples in your refresh modules to make them more impactful.
Finally, track and compare phishing simulation outcomes to identify the areas where users are struggling the most. You can use the data you’ve gathered to refine your training approach and prioritize high-risk areas.
Why cybersecurity training is important in Managed Services
So, why should you consider offering security awareness training to your clients? For one, MSPs that embrace a proactive approach to cybersecurity earn more than those that don’t.
Nowadays, companies want their MSPs to help them prevent breaches rather than address them as they occur. They’re more than willing to pay a premium price if it means not worrying about losing billions of dollars in damages and legal fees.
Think of it this way: preventing fires is better than putting them out because it stops the damage before it even begins.
More importantly, they build stronger client relationships. Teaching your clients how to identify suspicious activities before they become actual threats demonstrates your commitment to safeguarding their data.
NinjaOne services for comprehensive cybersecurity training deployment and tracking
NinjaOne offers various services that can help you automate the deployment and tracking of your cybersecurity training program. These include:
NinjaOne Service | What it is | How it helps |
| Automation Library | A collection of scripting options for Windows, Mac, and Linux. | Allows you to create scripts for tracking training competition status and write timestamps to specific registry locations |
| Scheduled Automations | Automated reminders that can be configured to run on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. | Automatically pushes reminders for training deadlines |
| Device Tagging | Tagging capability that allows sysadmins to create tags based on custom criteria such as training status, department, role, and location. | Makes identifying which users missed training or have failed simulations easier |
| Custom Reporting | A reporting software solution that automatically generates customizable reports. | Allows you to turn raw data into easy-to-read, comprehensive reports you can share with stakeholders |
Boost MSP value with comprehensive cybersecurity training for clients
Offering effective cybersecurity training to your clients is not just about increasing revenue; it’s about elevating your role as an MSP.
By including an engaging training program in your core managed services, you can position your organization as a proactive security partner dedicated to helping its clients achieve long-term success.
Developing a standardized, scalable framework ensures all your clients enjoy a consistent user experience and see measurable improvements in staff behavior.
Embracing a proactive approach to cybersecurity is the secret to securing your MSP’s future in today’s increasingly competitive market.
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