Client: Italian company specializing in the production of high-precision mechanical components
Industry: Mechanical / Manufacturing
Number of employees: 122
Objective:
To increase internal awareness of cyber risks, with a particular focus on phishing, aiming to reduce incidents caused by human error and improve the company’s overall cybersecurity posture.
Adopted Solution:
Implementation of a company-wide Cyber Security Awareness program, including interactive training courses, phishing attack recognition exercises, update webinars, and active involvement of management.
The Challenge
Operating in a highly competitive manufacturing sector, the company faced a growing number of targeted cyberattacks, especially against non-IT staff. Phishing and malicious email attempts were particularly prevalent. The main challenge was to raise the awareness and preparedness of all employees—not just IT specialists—to reduce the risk of incidents caused by human error, which represents the primary vulnerability in corporate cybersecurity systems.
The Main Issue
The core problem was the staff’s lack of awareness regarding cyber threats, particularly the inability to recognize sophisticated phishing emails and other social engineering attacks. This led to a high rate of suspicious email openings and clicks on malicious links, exposing the company to potential data breaches, operational disruptions, and reputational damage. The absence of structured and ongoing training left employees unprepared to face these threats, resulting in a higher-than-average incident rate compared to industry benchmarks.
The Intervention
The company designed and implemented a Cyber Security Awareness program for all employees, featuring the following key components:
- Initial assessment to quickly and informally map the current knowledge level and identify specific gaps.
- Interactive training courses focused on phishing, social engineering, secure password management, and incident response protocols.
- Phishing simulation exercises to test and reinforce acquired skills, promoting active learning and behavioral change.
- Webinars and update sessions to keep awareness high and inform staff about emerging threats.
- Management involvement to strengthen the security culture and promote accountability at all organizational levels.
The Results
Six months after launching the program, the company reported a 40% reduction in detected phishing incidents, with a significant drop in suspicious email openings and clicks on malicious links. Simulations showed a decrease in phishing susceptibility from 30% to 10%, aligning with industry best practices. The training also improved incident response capabilities, reducing reporting and mitigation times. Overall, the company enhanced its cybersecurity posture, lowering the risk of breaches and potential financial and reputational damages.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates how a well-structured and continuous Cyber Security Awareness program—targeting the entire workforce and not just IT specialists—is essential to mitigating human-related cyber risks. Training not only educates but also fosters a resilient work environment where every employee becomes an active part of the company’s defense system. Investing in awareness and education is therefore a strategic necessity to protect digital assets and ensure business continuity in an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
