Free cybersecurity training may seem like a cost-effective way to educate employees, but it often comes with hidden risks. While these programs provide basic awareness, they lack depth, engagement, and relevance to real-world threats. For businesses looking to build a strong cybersecurity culture, relying solely on free training can leave significant gaps in security.
According to the UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 (Gov.uk), 59% of medium-sized businesses and 69% of large businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack in the past year, highlighting the need for effective, ongoing security training rather than basic one-off awareness sessions.
Limitations of Free Cybersecurity Training
- Lack of Tailored Content – Free courses often provide generic information that does not address industry-specific risks, or the unique challenges faced by different businesses.
- Outdated Information – Cyber threats are advancing, and many free training programs are not regularly updated, leaving organisations vulnerable to emerging risks (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency).
- No Hands-On Experience – Without interactive elements such as phishing simulations or role-based learning, employees may struggle to apply training in real-world scenarios.
- Low Engagement Levels – Free courses typically lack engaging content, leading to lower completion rates and reduced retention of key security principles.
Without training that reflects current threats and engages employees, businesses may develop a false sense of security, assuming their teams are better prepared than they actually are.
Benefits of Expert-Led, Interactive Training
- Customised Learning – Paid cybersecurity training can be tailored to specific business needs, ensuring employees receive relevant, role-based content.
- Improved Knowledge Retention – Interactive courses, including simulations and gamified learning, help employees retain information and apply it effectively (National Cyber Security Centre).
- Regular Content Updates – Cybersecurity experts continuously update training materials to reflect the latest attack trends, ensuring businesses stay ahead of cyber threats.
A Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (Verizon) found that 74% of data breaches involve a human element, such as phishing or social engineering. This highlights the need for training that actively changes behaviour rather than just ticking a compliance box.
Investment in Certified Training: A Smarter Long-Term Strategy
- Regulatory Compliance – Many industries require documented cybersecurity training to meet regulatory standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIS2. Relying on free programs may leave businesses at risk of non-compliance and financial penalties (European Data Protection Board).
- Reduced Breach Risks – Employees who receive structured, high-quality training are significantly less likely to fall victim to phishing scams, social engineering, and other cyberattacks.
- Stronger Security Culture – A well-trained workforce is the best defence against cyber threats, reducing the likelihood of human error leading to security breaches. Building a human firewall ensures that employees are vigilant, informed, and proactive in identifying and mitigating potential risks, making them a crucial line of defense.
A study by IBM Security (IBM) found that businesses with well-trained employees experience significantly lower breach costs, with security-aware staff reducing the average cost of an attack by over $1.5 million.
Choose the Right Cybersecurity Training for Your Business
Free training can serve as an introduction to basic security principles, but for businesses looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, expert-led programs provide the depth and effectiveness required.
MetaCompliance offers customised, interactive, and regularly updated training solutions that help businesses meet compliance standards, improve security awareness, and reduce cyber risks. To learn more, check out the following key pages:
Cybersecurity Training for Employees
Alternatively, you can request a free cybersecurity tranining demo to experience our solutions firsthand.
