The Importance of Role-Based Cybersecurity Training
The Importance of Role-Based Cybersecurity Training
Cybersecurity skills continue to lead the way in 2025, topping the list of in-demand technical skills across industries, especially in government agencies. Six out of the top ten in-demand technical skills include cybersecurity-specific skills such as incident management, threat modeling, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). With nearly 5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally and ever-more-sophisticated attacks, specialized security training has never been more critical.
Understanding Role-Based Training in Federal Cybersecurity
Role-based cybersecurity training (RBT) provides focused training on security policies, procedures, tools, and methodologies for federal employees and contractors with significant security and privacy responsibilities. Unlike general cybersecurity awareness training for all employees, RBT is targeted training for specific roles and responsibilities within federal agencies.
The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires most U.S. federal government organizations to provide RBT for personnel and contractors with security and privacy responsibilities. However, despite this requirement, little understanding exists of how organizations are implementing these critical training programs, which is hindering the development of better resources and training activities.
NIST Research Study: Uncovering Implementation Realities
To address this knowledge gap, the Usable Cybersecurity team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researched through focus groups of 29 federal employees and a survey of 82 federal employees. The study found significant variations in implementation approaches, challenges, and successes across federal agencies.
Training Assignment Variations
The research found varied approaches to RBT assignment across federal agencies. Over half (56%) of survey participants indicated the CIO (Chief Information Officer) or CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) determined which employees are required to take RBT, and less than half (45%) use the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity as guidance. Almost a quarter (24%) of organizations leave these decisions to individual supervisors, which leads to inconsistent training assignments and gaps in security coverage.
Implementation Challenges
Finding the right training materials is a big challenge for federal organizations. Survey results show that 44% struggle to find materials that align with their specific operational needs and security requirements. Many must balance the need for customized content with limited resources and time.
Managing costs across multiple cybersecurity roles is a strain on the budget. The cost of buying or developing role-specific training content, plus the need for multiple training tracks for different security roles, puts a lot of pressure on already tight training budgets.
Keeping content current is another big challenge. With cyber threats changing rapidly, organizations must update their training content constantly. That requires dedicated resources for content review and updates, which many organizations don’t have.
Another complication is coordination between HR systems and learning management systems. Organizations must ensure seamless integration between these systems to track training completion, maintain compliance records, and manage certification requirements.
RBT Successes
Many have found success with RBT implementation. 60% tailor their content to their organization’s mission and create relevant and engaging training that speaks to their employees. Annual content updates help keep training current.
Those who do the best often use multiple delivery methods, combining online courses, live training, and industry-recognized certifications. This blended approach allows for flexibility and comprehensive coverage of required security competencies.
Training Compliance Strategies
While completion rates are a basic compliance metric, they don’t measure actual changes in security practices or risk management. Organizations need more advanced measurement methods to measure behavioral change and security improvement.
A more holistic approach to measurement is to track security incident trends, monitor policy violations, do post-training assessments, and get feedback from supervisors on the practical application of skills. Some organizations have done scenario-based evaluations, where employees demonstrate their ability to handle real-world security situations. Regular security audits can also measure whether training translates into better security practices and reduced risk.
Organizational Support and Resources
The NIST study found good support for RBT initiatives, with over 2/3 of organizations having employee and leadership buy-in. Technology infrastructure is generally good, with 70% of organizations having sufficient technical resources for training delivery.
However, resource constraints are a big challenge. 42% of organizations have insufficient funding, and 52% don’t have enough staff to fully support their RBT activities. These constraints often force tough choices between program quality and coverage.
Measuring Training Effectiveness
While tracking completion rates meets the minimum requirements, leading organizations are using more advanced measurement approaches to understand the true impact of training. Real-world simulation exercises have become a popular tool for security teams to demonstrate their response capabilities in controlled but realistic scenarios. Some organizations have implemented peer review systems where experienced security professionals assess their colleagues’ practical application of RBT training concepts. These evaluations often reveal insights that conventional metrics miss, such as communication during incident response or decision-making under pressure. Longitudinal studies of security behavior change have helped organizations identify which training elements drive lasting change in security practices.
Future Directions for Federal RBT
The NIST study identifies several areas for improvement in federal RBT. Organizations need standardized guidance for implementation while allowing for mission-specific requirements. Government-wide baseline content could be the foundation for customization and reduce redundant development across agencies.
Conclusion
Role-based training in cybersecurity provides employees with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their job duties securely. For the past 25 years, Enterprise Training Solutions (ETS) has offered online training to the public sector that drives employee effectiveness and productivity. To learn about role-based cybersecurity training available through ETS, go to: https://enterprisetraining.com/course-catalog/
