Discover how much you know about preventing cyber threats with this training quiz. According to Verizon’s “2023 Data Breach Investigations Report,” human error contributes to 74% of breaches, making employees a potential weak link in cybersecurity.
Insider threats, whether accidental or malicious, can lead to significant financial and reputational harm. However, with proper training, employees can become a crucial defense for organizations.
While tools like firewalls and email filters can help mitigate risks, they don’t address the underlying issue. To tackle user-caused incidents effectively, IT leaders must establish a comprehensive security awareness training program.
This quiz is designed to test and reinforce knowledge of cybersecurity basics. By taking it, you’ll gauge your understanding and identify areas where additional training may be necessary.
Table of Contents
Question 1
What is the most important security awareness training topic?
A. Physical security
B. Types of malware
C. Social engineering
D. Remote security
E. All of the above
Answer
E. All of the above
Explanation
Security awareness programs should include a variety of topics, including physical security, social engineering training, security best practices, remote and on-premises security, and awareness of types of malware.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a reason why security awareness training is essential for executives?
A. Corporate travel could expose executives to foreign government or commercial adversaries.
B. Greater access privileges make executives valuable targets for credential theft.
C. Executives are worse at retaining security basics than other employees.
D. Cyberespionage campaigns exploit executives who are privy to their organization’s sensitive trade secrets.
Answer
C. Executives are worse at retaining security basics than other employees.
Explanation
Security awareness training is essential for executives due to their privileged access, knowledge of trade secrets and increased exposure to risk during travel, making them high-value targets for attackers.
Question 3
Why are humans still the weakest link despite security training and resources?
A. Threat actors spend their days thinking of new ways to exploit human vulnerabilities and are rewarded for their innovation.
B. Average people do not spend all their time thinking about security and might feel powerless in preventing attacks.
C. Cybersecurity practitioners may be the only people at their organizations who spend their workdays focused on prevention, protection and mitigation activities.
D. All of the above
Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Humans are still the weakest link because, if cybersecurity or cybercrime is not in their job description, security can become a minor concern relative to other work responsibilities.
Question 4
True or false: Deepfake technology is an enterprise security concern.
A. True
B. False
Answer
A. True
Explanation
Deepfakes introduce a number of security risks. Security awareness training programs should include information on how to detect and report digital impersonations and encourage employees to think critically about potentially altered content.
Question 5
Do phishing simulations work?
A. Yes, they help identify users susceptible to phishing attacks.
B. Yes, they teach users signs of phishing scams.
C. No, they are unethical.
D. No, they can have negative side effects.
E.All of the above.
Answer
E.All of the above.
Explanation
Phishing simulations are debated in the security industry. Many promote their effectiveness, while others call them controversial. Either way, phishing simulations on their own are not an effective phishing prevention strategy.
Question 6
Which is not an indication of a ransomware infection?
A. Alerts someone is trying to change your password
B. A pop-up window demanding a ransom
C. Device performance degradation
D. Out-of-date software
Answer
D. Out-of-date software
Explanation
Alerts about password changes, pop-ups demanding ransoms and device performance degradation are all signs of a potential ransomware attack. While unpatched, out-of-date software is not a sign of an infection, it is important to patch or update the software to prevent it from becoming a ransomware attack vector.
Question 7
True or false: Although positive reinforcement in security awareness training can change risky behavior, it can also produce costly side effects, such as damaging employee morale.
A. True
B. False
Answer
B. False
Explanation
Negative reinforcement, such as shaming and punishment, may change risky behavior but at the cost of employee morale. New approaches to security awareness training incorporate positive reinforcement, gamification and social proof to reduce human risks without hurting morale.
Question 8
What are the most important metrics to consider in security awareness training?
A. Training completion rates
B. Quiz performance
C. Engagement metrics
D. Human risk scores
Answer
D. Human risk scores
Explanation
Traditional security awareness training metrics, such as completion rates, quiz performance and engagement metrics, are fundamentally flawed, according to Forrester. Human risk scores are the most important metric and should be used to adjust and improve training programs.
Question 9
What is the best way to identify a phishing email?
A. Typos
B. Grammatical errors
C. Suspicious links
D. All of the above
Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Typos, grammatical errors and suspicious links are all indications of a phishing email.
Question 10
True or false: Passphrases are stronger than passwords.
A. True
B. False
Answer
A. True
Explanation
Passphrases are considered stronger than passwords. Passphrases are generally easier to remember than long, complex passwords, which are often written down or saved to a user’s desktop.