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Security Awareness

What is Security Awareness?

The knowledge and understanding that employees have about cybersecurity threats and their role in protecting organizational information assets.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as security awareness. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on security awareness

Requirements naming security awareness across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

Agencies must build information security awareness training into the induction programmes for new employees.

new-zealand-information-security-manual-nzism::9.1.5.C.02 · 9.1.5.C.02 Security awareness training included in staff induction →
PCI DSS 4.06 controls

A formal security awareness program must be in place so that all personnel know the entity's security policy and its procedures, and understand their own part in protecting cardholder data.

12.6.1 · 12.6.1 Formal security awareness program →

A cyber security awareness training register is developed, implemented and maintained.

ISM-2022 · Cyber security awareness training register →
NERC CIP3 controls

In the low impact cyber security plan, reinforce cyber security practices, which may include associated physical security practices, at least once every 15 calendar months.

nerc-cip::CIP-003 R2 Att1 S1 · CIP-003-9 R2 Att1 S1: Low impact plan Section 1: cyber security awareness →

Requirement 0024 (Part One: Governance, section 3.5 Security Planning, Incidents and Training; applies to All entities; dated 31 October 2024;

protective-security-policy-framework-pspf-release-2026::0024 · 0024 Security awareness training at engagement and annually →
CIS Controls v82 controls

Provide security awareness and skills training tailored to specific roles, for example secure systems administration courses for IT staff, OWASP Top 10 awareness and prevention training for web developers, and advanced social engineering awareness for high-pro...

CIS-14.9 · Conduct Role-Specific Security Awareness and Skills Training →

Questions people ask about security awareness

What is Security Awareness?
The knowledge and understanding that employees have about cybersecurity threats and their role in protecting organizational information assets.
Why is Security Awareness important for compliance?
Security Awareness is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding security awareness helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Security Awareness?
Security Awareness appears in the requirement text of New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM), PCI DSS 4.0, Australian Information Security Manual, NERC CIP, Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) Release 2026. Across these standards we have identified 31 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Security Awareness?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how security awareness applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Security Awareness applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.