CIS Control 14.9: Conduct Role-Specific Security Awareness and Skills Training
Role-specific security training closes the gap between generic awareness programs and real-world job responsibilities. CIS Control 14.9 requires organizations to tailor security education to each role—from secure coding for developers to advanced social engineering tactics for executives. Without targeted training, even security-conscious employees become organizational weak points.
What this means
CIS Control 14.9 mandates establishing a structured security awareness program that goes beyond one-size-fits-all training. Rather than treating all employees identically, your program must deliver role-appropriate content: IT staff learn secure system administration practices, developers receive secure coding instruction, and high-profile roles receive advanced threat awareness training. This control ensures that employees have the specific knowledge needed to execute their jobs securely.
How to comply
- 1.Map all job roles in your organization and identify their unique security responsibilities
- 2.Develop or procure role-specific training curricula (e.g., secure coding, system hardening, incident response)
- 3.Deliver initial training to all employees within their assigned role before job start or within 30 days
- 4.Schedule annual refresher training and update content based on emerging threats relevant to each role
- 5.Document attendance, completion dates, and assessment scores for each training session
- 6.Track competency improvements through post-training assessments or practical demonstrations
- 7.Measure training effectiveness through security incident metrics and employee behavior changes
Evidence auditors look for
- Training curriculum documents tailored by job role (IT, development, finance, HR, executive)
- Attendance records showing 100% of staff completed role-specific training within the past 12 months
- Pre- and post-training assessment scores demonstrating knowledge gains
- Secure coding guidelines and code review checklists distributed to development teams
- Social engineering simulation results showing phishing awareness improvements among targeted roles
- Training platform logs capturing completion status and timestamps for auditors
- Annual training schedules with role assignments and competency requirements
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automates role-specific training tracking and evidence collection, sending reminders when staff are due for refreshers and generating compliance reports that show completion rates and assessment scores—eliminating manual spreadsheet management.
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