Top 7 Key Aspects for Cybersecurity Trainings for Managers

Published On: July 3, 2025

Introduction

Cybersecurity is no longer just a cybersecurity department issue. Increasingly, cyber incidents start with leadership and decision-making failures, not just technical weaknesses. Management awareness and preparedness have become central to every effective cybersecurity strategy.

Leaders have a direct impact on an organization’s cybersecurity maturity. They set strategic priorities, allocate resources, and define the organization’s risk appetite. They also face growing regulatory pressure for example through the NIS2 Directive which places clear responsibilities on management in terms of cybersecurity. In addition, cyber incidents directly affect reputation, customer trust, and stock value, making cybersecurity a key leadership issue, not just a technical one.

In this blog post, we outline seven key aspects that make cybersecurity trainings for managers effective and impactful.

1. Why Do Managers Need Cybersecurity Training

Although technical specialists are responsible for front line response to cyber incidents, management must understand how cyber threats impact the organization’s strategy, long-term goals, and business models. A lack of awareness can lead to poor decisions that escalate into crises. Training helps prevent this.

2. What Knowledge and Skills Are Important for Managers?

The goal isn’t to turn managers into cybersecurity experts, but to equip them with the tools to make informed decisions. Key skills include:

  • Assessing and interpreting cyber risks in business terms
  • Understanding the division of responsibilities within the organization
  • Being prepared to act during a crisis (including communication with media and partners)
  • Awareness of the content and impact of cybersecurity regulations (e.g. NIS2)
  • Integrating cybersecurity into business strategies

These skills help leaders see cybersecurity as a value-creator, not just a cost.

3. How Is Cybersecurity Training for Managers Different from Technical Staff Training?

Technical trainings focus on how to do things such as how to configure security tools or detect malware. Managerial training is different: it focuses on why decisions are made, who is responsible, and when action must be taken. Strategic training doesn’t require deep technical knowledge, but a basic level of digital literacy is still essential to ask the right questions and understand how risks impact the business. Furthermore, the goal for managers is to understand their business as a whole to be able to make the best possible decisions from the cybersecurity perspective.

4. What Makes a Good Cybersecurity Training for Managers?

An effective training program for managers should be:

  • Modular – allowing flexibility and tailoring based on roles and responsibilities
  • Engaging – including discussions, practical exercises, and personal reflection
  • Case-based – using realistic scenarios (like a ransomware attack or data breach) where leaders must make decisions with limited information
  • Strategic – connecting cybersecurity to business goals and risk management practices

One of the best ways to achieve this is through cybersecurity tabletop exercises, where management teams simulate handling a cyber crisis. Read more about such cybersecurity trainings for managers here: https://risksight.io/products-services/trainings-exercises/strategic-cybersecurity-exercises/

5. What Do Regulations and Standards Say (e.g. NIS2)?

The NIS2 Directive, which came into force in autumn 2024 for all EU Member States, significantly expands cybersecurity regulations and places direct responsibilities on management. Leadership must have an overview of implemented security measures and is responsible for reducing cyber risks. If these responsibilities are ignored, penalties can apply personally to board members. Trainings help leaders understand these legal requirements and ensure their organization stays compliant.

6. Common Mistakes Management Makes Regarding Cybersecurity

Mistakes made by leadership are often unintentional as they come from a lack of awareness or false assumptions. Common pitfalls include:

  • Believing cybersecurity is only an IT issue
  • Allocating too few resources because risks are underestimated
  • Failing to prepare for crises due to no regular drills or exercises
  • Diffused responsibility, where no one takes ownership
  • Critical information not reaching the intended target due to weak communication channels

These mistakes have led to major incidents in the past, but training can help prevent them and strengthen the organization’s resilience.

7. Getting Started with Management Cybersecurity Trainings

If cybersecurity training for managers hasn’t been done yet, it’s never too late to begin. Here are the recommended steps:

  1. Assess the current state – Do leaders understand their role in cyber incidents?
  2. Define the training goal – Is the aim to raise awareness, ensure compliance, or improve crisis preparedness?
  3. Choose the right format – On-site training, e-learning, or scenario-based simulations?
  4. Involve the entire leadership team – Good training comes from dialogue, not just top-down instruction
  5. Focus on continuity – One-off trainings are not enough; plan for regular refreshers and exercises

Most importantly, training should not just be a checkbox on a to-do list but a natural part of the organization’s culture.