The Changing Landscape of Human Risk in Cybersecurity: Why It’s More Than Just Phishing

In today’s increasingly digital world, organisations face a growing array of cyber threats. While phishing remains a top concern, the landscape of human risk is changing rapidly. 

Cybercriminals are no longer just targeting inboxes; they are exploiting human behaviour across a range of communication platforms, from email to social media to mobile apps. This evolution is not just about email anymore, it's about how humans interact with technology and how those interactions are exploited by attackers.

As cyber risks continue to evolve, organisations must adapt their strategies to mitigate these threats. Focusing solely on phishing awareness training is no longer sufficient. Human risk management is now a core part of cybersecurity strategy, and businesses must take a proactive approach to protect their data, people, and reputation.

Why Human Risk Matters More Than Ever

Historically, cybersecurity efforts focused primarily on technical defences, such as firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. While these remain important, they only address part of the problem. Today, cyber risks are increasingly driven by human vulnerabilities. Attackers are exploiting people; their behaviour, decisions, and trust to bypass even the most sophisticated security systems.

The increasing sophistication of social engineering tactics highlights the importance of human risk management. Rather than attempting to breach technology directly, cybercriminals manipulate individuals to gain access to sensitive information or systems. This is especially concerning given the rise of multi-channel attacks, which extend beyond email phishing into areas like collaboration platforms, mobile phishing (smishing), and social media.

In the words of Emma Hollinrake from Phishing Tackle:

"Human risk has moved from being a compliance box‑ticking exercise to a priority for boards and shareholders, who now ask IT professionals, ‘What are you doing to protect our brand?’"

The Evolution of Human Risk: From Awareness to Strategic Management

In the past, many organisations viewed security awareness training as a compliance task. Employees would complete an annual training module or participate in an occasional phishing simulation, and the organisation would check the box for compliance. However, this model is now becoming obsolete.

Today, human risk management requires a strategic approach that is ongoing and data-driven. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, organisations must develop comprehensive risk management strategies that include continuous testing, real-time assessments, and behavioural data analysis.

Emma highlights this shift:

"Organisations now need a strategy that considers the different departments within their company. For example, the finance department will have different training needs compared to HR because they handle more sensitive data."

Organisations must ensure their human risk strategy is tailored to the specific risks faced by different teams and roles.

External Drivers of Change: Complex Threats and Regulation

The landscape of human risk is changing not only because of emerging threats but also due to evolving regulations. The rise of multi-channel cyber risks is being matched by an increase in compliance requirements for businesses. Regulatory bodies are now strongly recommending that organisations go beyond compliance checkboxes to actively manage human risk.

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The Rise of Multi-Channel Cyber Risks

Cybercriminals are exploiting a range of communication channels to launch attacks. While phishing emails remain a major concern, organisations are now facing threats across:

• Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams.
• SMS-based phishing (smishing) on mobile devices.
• Social engineering via social media platforms.

Emma explains:

"Phishing is still a huge issue, but we are also seeing risks emerge through platforms like WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams. These new attack vectors require fresh training and testing strategies."

Organisations must ensure they are preparing their employees to recognise and respond to phishing attacks across multiple channels, not just email.

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Regulation and Accountability

The increasing regulatory focus on human risk management is also driving change. Regulations like the Cyber Resilience Bill demand that organisations demonstrate proactive efforts to manage human risk. This includes regular testing, ongoing training, and measurable improvement. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in significant fines and reputational damage.

Human Risk Is Multi-Dimensional, Not Static

One of the biggest misunderstandings about human risk is that it’s a single, static threat that can be "fixed" with one training module. In reality, human risk is multi‑dimensional and constantly evolving. It includes a variety of factors:

• Behavioural vulnerabilities: Employees may unknowingly take actions that expose the organisation to risk.
• Knowledge gaps: Different roles face different risks based on their access to information and systems.
• Cultural factors: An organisation’s culture, including how well security is integrated into everyday workflows, influences whether employees follow security protocols.
• Technological complexity: New tools, platforms, and devices introduce new risks that need to be managed.
  
  

Emma stresses the importance of evolving training strategies:

"We need to be educating employees on all the ways hackers are trying to gain access to our systems, whether it’s through social media platforms or messaging apps."

What Good Human Risk Management Looks Like

A successful human risk management programme is backed by several key components:

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1. Ongoing Testing and Simulation

Rather than relying on one-off phishing tests, organisations should continuously assess employee behaviour across various platforms and communication channels. This ensures that employees are prepared to handle real-world attacks.

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2. Measurable Metrics

Effective human risk strategies are supported by clear metrics. These might include training completion rates, phishing simulation performance, and risk reduction over time.

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3. Tailored Training

Training should be role-specific and contextualised to the risks faced by different departments. For example, sales teams may need training on social engineering tactics, while finance teams require training on fraud prevention.

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4. Executive Engagement

Boards and senior leadership must take an active role in human risk management. It should be seen as a strategic priority, not just an IT or HR concern.

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5. Data-Driven Decisions

Collecting and analysing behavioural data allows organisations to understand where risk is concentrated and make informed decisions on how to mitigate it.

The Human Risk Gap: Why Most Organisations Are Still Behind

Despite increased awareness, many organisations still struggle with managing human risk effectively. Some of the most common challenges include:

• Lack of meaningful behavioural metrics: Many organisations still rely on surface-level metrics like completion rates rather than measuring behavioural change.
• One-size-fits-all training: Generic training that doesn’t address the unique needs of different departments or roles.
• Limited testing: Testing that focuses only on email phishing, rather than addressing the full spectrum of risks.
• Poor visibility: A lack of data-driven insights to track risk trends over time.
  
  

Looking Ahead: The Future of Human Risk in Cybersecurity

The future of human risk management will rely heavily on adaptive training, cross-platform risk awareness, and data-centric approaches. Organisations must continue to evolve their strategies to keep pace with the rise of new risks and technologies, from AI to mobile devices.

A Strategic Approach to Human Risk Management

The changing landscape of human risk demands a strategic, data-driven approach. By continuously testing employee behaviour, tailoring training to real-world threats, and measuring progress with meaningful KPIs, businesses can proactively manage human risk.

Phishing Tackle offers a comprehensive solution to help organisations tackle human risk across multiple channels, providing real-time insights and targeted training to ensure your organisation is prepared for emerging cyber threats.

Contact us today to learn how Phishing Tackle can help your business stay ahead of evolving risks and meet compliance standards with ease.