Which of the following metrics indicates the effectiveness of a security training program?

The effectiveness of a security training program is best indicated by compliance metrics. Compliance metrics provide clear, quantifiable measures that reflect whether employees are adhering to the security policies and protocols laid out during training. These metrics often include assessments of employee knowledge, reported incidents, and adherence to practical security procedures, making it easier to gauge how well the training has resonated with the workforce.

In contrast, while the number of incidents reported might suggest a reaction to existing training, it doesn’t directly measure the effectiveness of that training itself. Employee satisfaction ratings focus on how content employees feel about the training but do not necessarily indicate whether they have effectively learned and applied key security practices. Budget allocations for new software pertain more to organizational spending priorities and do not reflect on the outcomes of training initiatives directly. Therefore, compliance metrics provide the most direct connection to training effectiveness by illustrating how well the learned concepts are implemented in practice.