Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Career Intelligence
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Interactive Spotlight
    • Photo Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecuritySecurity NewswireCybersecurity News

Phishing is Top Security Threat to Businesses

phishing
September 27, 2019

Phishing attacks topped the list of concerns for decision makers with nearly 75 percent of executives citing phishing emails as the most significant threat, according to The State of Security Awareness Training report from CybeReady. 

The same group of executives regard training as a better way to deal with this threat. Additionally, approximately 60 percent of users receive training about less than once a quarter – meaning organizations aren’t being adequately trained even with current solutions, says the report. Another 29 percent receive security awareness training only two to three times per year. Only 39 percent receive training quarterly or more often. 

According to the report:

  • 75 percent of security decision makers are highly concerned with phishing attacks.
  • 58 percent of decision makers view awareness training as superior to technology solutions when dealing with phishing.
  • the most common approach to security awareness training is to test everyone using simulated phishing attacks (39 percent), followed by video training (33 percent), selective training for some employees (12 percent) and short meetings (11 percent). Only five percent of executives say they don't provide security awareness training. 

Decision Makers' Security Concerns

Security Concern Total
Phishing attacks 74%
Malware other than ransomware 68%
A data breach 68%
Ransomware attacks 67%
CEO Fraud/Business Email Compromise attacks 63%
Targeted attacks 61%
Zero-day exploits 57%
Malware infiltration through web traffic 57%
Account takeover attacks 53%
Malware infections that occur through web surfing 53%
Malvertising 42%
Spam 41%

 

KEYWORDS: cybersecurity phishing ransomware security awareness training

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Cyber tech background

    Security’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026

    Security magazine’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026 award...
    Cybersecurity
  • Iintegration and use of emerging tools

    Future Proof Your Security Career with AI Skills

    AI’s evolution demands security leaders master...
    Career Intelligence
    By: Jerry J. Brennan and Joanne R. Pollock
  • The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report surveys enterprise...
    The Security Benchmark Report
    By: Rachelle Blair-Frasier
Manage My Account
  • Security Newsletter
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

SEC Podcast Header Podcast

Credential Management in High Turnover Environments

Glowing police siren

Security Isn’t a Commodity. Neither Is Off-Duty Law Enforcement

Soccer stadium

How the Current Iran-US Conflict May Impact World Cup Security

Laptop in darkness

Reframing MFA Bypass: Four Identity Gaps Attackers Exploit

Man with covered face

Why Most Workplace Violence Prevention Starts Too Late

SEC 2026 Benchmark Banner

Events

July 8, 2026

The 2026 Security Maturity Benchmark Report: Insights From Senior Security Leaders

LIVE: July 8, 2026 at 2 pm EDT In this webinar, speakers will share key insights from the report, including why today’s threat environment demands greater maturity and how to evaluate your organization’s current security posture.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products


Alertmedia sponsored webinar

Related Articles

  • Employee Negligence is Top Information Security Risk to U.S. Businesses

    See More
  • cyberattack technology

    Phishing is the top attack method used by threat actors

    See More
  • car dealership

    Phishing is the top cybersecurity threat targeting car dealerships

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • threat and detection.jpg

    Surveillance and Threat Detection

  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • May 12, 2026

    Managing Large Scale Events in 2026: Security, Travel and Threat Intelligence

    ON DEMAND: As the Americas plan the world’s biggest football tournament in 2026, security, resilience, & travel risk leaders face a fast-moving threat environment that extends well beyond the stadiums. Learn the risks & readiness considerations that matter most.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing