Security Awareness Programs & Computer-Based Training
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Training & Security Leadership
Who Are ‘Death Clickers,’ and How Do They Weaken Company’s Cyber Defense?
Cybersecurity awareness training is critical in today’s fast-evolving environment. Attackers are using artificial intelligence to create increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats, enabling attackers to craft convincing, error-free phishing emails. Incident analysis shows the consequences of inadequate cybersecurity training, leading to the emergence of the phrase “death clickers.”
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Understanding the ‘Death Clicker’
A “death clicker” is an employee who, driven by curiosity or carelessness, repeatedly clicks on suspicious links, attachments or prompts without considering the potential consequences. Worse yet, these employees may deny any involvement when their actions lead to a breach. These individuals don’t act out of malice but lack awareness and underestimate the damage their actions can cause, posing a significant risk to the organization.
The challenge is preventing them from becoming a weak link. Many organizations rely on a static learning management system, or LMS, to deliver cybersecurity training every year. While cost-effective, this approach fails to account for the continuously changing attack surface. Attackers no longer rely on poorly worded emails riddled with grammatical errors. AI-driven tools now craft flawless, persuasive emails and voice simulations that bypass traditional red flags.
Annual training built on outdated scenarios and tactics becomes irrelevant. Employees stop paying attention, assuming they’ve “seen it all” before. This complacency creates fertile ground for breaches.
A Dynamic Approach to Security Awareness
Organizational cybersecurity frameworks include dynamic awareness programs that combine LMS onboarding with periodic spot checks and annual refreshers tailored to emerging threats.
Here’s why this approach works:
- Threat relevance: The training content evolves annually to reflect the latest attack vectors, from AI-generated phishing emails to sophisticated ransomware schemes. Employees are taught to recognize these cutting-edge tactics instead of relying on outdated cues such as grammatical errors.
- Behavioral testing: Beyond traditional LMS modules, periodic spot checks simulate real-world attacks to test employee responses. Phishing simulations, for example, are tailored to mimic the current attack landscape.
- Layered awareness: Effective training protocols include continuous learning modules. Organizations reinforce it with ongoing reminders, workshops and incident reviews to keep employees alert year-round.
- Quick response times: While no program entirely eliminates breaches, training significantly reduces their impact. Employees are trained to recognize and report threats promptly, enabling rapid and effective response.
Building a Security Culture
An essential part of any awareness program is fostering a culture where employees understand the value of their role in safeguarding critical assets. They must move beyond compliance-driven training to see themselves as partners in organizational security.
This requires:
- Empowering employees: Equip employees with the tools and knowledge they need to stay ahead of threats. AI isn’t just a tool for attackers – it can also assist defenders. For example, use AI-based email filters and teach employees how they work.
- Encouraging accountability: Employees need to feel safe admitting mistakes without fear of reprisal. Fear drives cover-ups, which delays response times and exacerbate damage.
- Recognizing contributions: Reward employees for reporting suspicious activities or passing phishing simulations. Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator.
Addressing the ‘Death Clicker’ Phenomenon
To address the challenge of “death clickers,” organizations must embrace proactive and innovative strategies:
- Simulated failures: Create low-risk simulations where the “death clicker” behavior is demonstrated, showing the consequences of unchecked curiosity in a controlled environment.
- Gamification: Engage employees with gamified training modules that reward positive decisions and highlight poor ones. For example, show the potential costs of a click in real-world terms, such as downtime or financial loss.
- Behavioral psychology: Use psychology principles to understand why employees click and how to recondition those habits. Address curiosity with education and provide safe outlets for exploration.
The Path Forward
Static training programs belong to the past. The threat landscape changes daily and security awareness programs must evolve to meet these challenges. By adopting a dynamic, employee-centered approach and addressing vulnerabilities including “death clicker” behavior, organizations can create a security culture that reduces risk and enhances response times.
In the end, security isn’t just about tools and technology; it’s about people. Educating, empowering and holding employees accountable are essential to minimizing cyberattack impact in a world where the stakes are higher than ever.
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Shervin Evans has extensive experience in risk management, compliance, system/network design and crafting robust security strategies. Before Deltec, he played pivotal roles in renowned financial services firms and multinational corporations, enhancing protection for critical assets and sensitive data. He specializes in areas such as cloud security, threat intelligence, SOC implementation, regulatory framework and incident response.