From Compliance to Culture: What CISOs Need to Know About Evolving SAT

For years, security awareness training (SAT) has been treated like a checkbox—an annual task to meet compliance requirements. But cyber threats have grown more sophisticated, targeting people over infrastructure and exploiting human behavior instead of technical flaws. For CISOs, this shift calls for a new approach. SAT can no longer be a passive exercise. It must evolve into a strategic tool for reducing risk, changing behavior, and fostering a culture where security is second nature.

Here, we explore how CISOs are reimagining SAT to support measurable behavior change and long-term cultural impact.

Most security awareness training (SAT) programs haven’t kept pace with how threats—and people—actually behave. They rely on templated phishing simulations and generic video modules that are easy to ignore and difficult to apply. Many employees tune out entirely, sharing answers, clicking through modules without watching, or alerting coworkers when simulations go out.

And the consequences are measurable. In 2024, 99% of organizations experienced a security incident tied to preventable user actions and 60% of all data breaches involved the human element. It’s clear: human behavior remains cybersecurity’s weakest link. And legacy training isn’t changing that.

Modern CISOs are leading a shift—away from compliance-driven programs and toward culture-driven outcomes. They recognize that SAT isn’t just a regulatory requirement. It’s a foundational tool for building an environment where secure behavior becomes second nature.

To be effective, today’s training must be timely, contextual, and ongoing. It should meet employees where they are—delivering relevant insights in the moment, not in an annual session. And it must be measurable, so security teams can see what’s working, who’s improving, and where risk remains. But that vision is difficult to implement with traditional tools. Many CISOs cite challenges like a lack of visibility, outdated content, and the time-consuming effort required to manage training at scale.

This is where AI is changing the equation. Modern SAT solutions powered by AI help CISOs deliver smarter, more adaptive training without overwhelming their teams.

Instead of quarantining threats and moving on, AI can convert real phishing attempts into teachable moments—creating simulations that mirror actual tactics employees face. Feedback is delivered instantly, right in the inbox, with guidance specific to the user’s role and behavior.

At the same time, AI takes over the operational lift: managing simulations, tracking participation, and adjusting training frequency based on individual risk levels. Rather than measuring success by completion rates, CISOs can now track real indicators of resilience—behavioral change, threat recognition, and reduced exposure over time.

When security awareness becomes more than a once-a-year task—when it’s embedded in how people work every day—it drives measurable change. Employees shift from being the weakest link to the first line of defense. Secure behavior becomes habit, not exception. And resilience becomes cultural.

But that transformation doesn’t happen on its own. It’s led by CISOs who see SAT not as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic opportunity. By embracing AI-powered platforms, these leaders reduce human risk, empower employees with relevant, real-time guidance, and free up their teams to focus on proactive initiatives.

Explore how Abnormal helps CISOs deliver intelligent, behavior-based training at scale by downloading the CISO Guide to Security Awareness Training today!