What happens when an ordinary workday is halted by locked files, ransom notes, and sudden downtime? This is the reality when an employee clicks a malicious link or opens an attachment.
Ransomware often enters through simple human error, making employee awareness just as crucial as antivirus software or firewalls. According to a Commons Library report published in May 2025, 95 % of cyber attacks succeed due to human error, from unsafe browsing to reused passwords.
This article explores how employee training for ransomware prevention and robust employee cyber awareness can significantly reduce these risks. We offer expert guidance and outline how Solace Cyber helps organisations protect their frontline.
Common Human-Targeted Threats
Now that we understand the importance of your team in cyber defence, let us examine the tactics attackers use to target them. Most ransomware incidents start with social engineering attacks, where bad actors exploit trust and routine to gain access.
Phishing emails are the most common ransomware attack vectors, often appearing as fake invoices, password resets, or urgent requests from senior staff. The goal is to trick staff into clicking a link or entering credentials into a fake login page.
Social engineering attacks can even extend to phone calls or messages that impersonate colleagues, suppliers, or IT departments. Employees may unknowingly hand over sensitive information.
Unsafe browsing and downloading habits add to the risk, as visiting untrusted websites or clicking on malicious adverts can introduce malware. Weak passwords, especially reused or guessable ones, offer easy entry points.
Add remote working and BYOD (bring your own device) policies into the mix, and your attack surface grows. As a result, ransomware awareness for staff must now cover both behaviour and environment.
Essential Topics to Cover in Employee Training
To ensure your team is prepared for any eventuality, it is important to cover all the essential employee training topics. The following topics ensure your staff understand not only what to avoid, but how to act safely online:
- How to Spot Phishing Attempts and Suspicious Communication
- The Dangers of Clicking Unknown Links or Opening Unsolicited Attachments
- Password Security and MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) Best Practices
- Safe Internet Browsing Habits That Protect Company Data
- How to Report Suspicious Emails or Unusual System Behaviour
- Why Regular Software Updates and Patches Matter to Endpoint Protection
Phishing awareness should not be taught as a one-off. Instead, it must form part of a broader understanding of email attachment safety, digital hygiene, and layered defence.
Training Formats That Work
To learn more about how to engage employees effectively, let us look at which formats actually work in a live business environment. Static, outdated courses do not drive behaviour change.
Instead, you need:
- Ongoing awareness campaigns tailored to roles and departments
- Interactive E-Learning modules which test understanding
- Regular phishing simulations to evaluate real-world responses
- Internal champions to keep cyber hygiene top of mind
- Gamified learning to boost participation and knowledge retention
- Remote-accessible resources for hybrid and distributed teams
Ransomware prevention training works best when it blends education with participation. Employee training for ransomware prevention should not feel like a checkbox – it must empower and involve.
Building a Culture of Cyber Vigilance
Security is not a one-time event; it is a mindset. Creating a resilient organisation starts with encouraging a culture of vigilance and shared responsibility.
Promote Psychological Safety in Reporting
Many employees hesitate to report suspicious activity for fear of punishment. Establishing a no-blame culture helps staff feel confident about flagging potential threats early. The faster something is reported, the faster it can be neutralised.
Keep It Fresh and Relevant
Cyber risks evolve constantly, so training must be updated to reflect new threats, emerging attack types, and changes to how your teams work. Including cyber awareness in onboarding sets expectations from day one.
Reinforce Messages at the Top
Company leaders play a crucial role in modelling secure behaviour. When leadership speaks confidently about zero trust principles – never trust, always verify – it sets the tone for the entire organisation.
Champion Safe Browsing Habits
Whether office-based or working remotely, staff need to practise secure internet usage. This includes avoiding suspicious links, verifying websites, and avoiding downloads from unverified sources.
The goal is not to create fear; it is to build fluency. When staff understand what to look for and why it matters, they become your most valuable security asset.
How Solace Cyber Can Help
We understand that human vulnerabilities are often the most overlooked in cyber defences. That is why our cyber security employee training is designed to meet real-world challenges.
We deliver bespoke ransomware prevention training tailored to your team’s risk profile and industry. From phishing simulations that expose weaknesses to ongoing awareness campaigns that build confidence, we cover every angle.
Our approach includes detailed cybersecurity audits and staff awareness reviews, ensuring that both your systems and your people are covered. As part of our managed security services, you will receive continuous support, updates, and expert guidance.
We specialise in protecting the human layer, and we are trusted by businesses across finance, legal, healthcare, and logistics to keep their teams informed and prepared.
Start Securing Your Team Today with Solace Cyber
Looking to improve employee training for ransomware prevention? Book a ransomware awareness training consultation with Solace Cyber. Request a demo of our phishing simulations or explore how our managed security services can help you maintain strong cyber hygiene.
Call us on 01202 308818 or use our contact form to get started. Our highly trained, ISO-certified experts are here to support you 24/7.
