How often must information technology personnel complete security awareness training?

The correct answer reflects a generally accepted standard in many organizations regarding the frequency of security awareness training for information technology personnel. Completing security awareness training every two years ensures that staff are kept up-to-date on current cybersecurity threats, best practices, and compliance requirements. This interval balances the need for regular updates with the understanding that not all information changes rapidly from one year to the next.

Conducting training too frequently, such as every six months, could lead to training fatigue and may result in diminishing returns, as personnel may struggle to assimilate fresh information in such a short time frame. On the other hand, extending the training interval to three years may allow critical security information to become outdated, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities within the organization’s systems.

Thus, a two-year cycle for training is often seen as optimal, aligning with industry norms and providing adequate time for employees to absorb and apply their learning while staying vigilant against evolving security threats.