Debunking the Myth: Metrics for Human Risk Programs Are Impossible to Track

Myth: Human risk programs can’t be measured.
Truth: With the right tools, human risk can be quantified, benchmarked, and tied directly to ROI.

For years, CISOs and risk executives have struggled with the perception that human risk programs are intangible, with no clear way to measure success. This misconception not only hampers budget and investment in these critical initiatives but also leaves organizations more vulnerable to the increasing risks they aim to mitigate.

It’s time to change the narrative: human risk can be tracked, measured, and turned into actionable insights that demonstrate value, for every business. 

Why Metrics Matter

Metrics are the language of decision-making in the business- from the clipboard on the shop floor all the way to the boardroom. While technical risks like malware infections or server downtime are easier to quantify from monitoring tools, human factored risks—such as susceptibility to phishing or password reuse—have historically been viewed as elusive.

What we've seen awareness and risk teams struggle with is that without solid metrics, it’s challenging to secure buy-in, allocate resources, or demonstrate Human Risk Management program effectiveness.

Step 1: Breaking Down the Barriers

1. Quantifying Behaviors
Human risk programs don’t have to rely on guesswork. Tools today can track behavioral changes at scale, such as:

• Phishing simulation results (click rates are the standard, but report rates are actually a better indicator of change).
• Password hygiene improvements.
• Reduction in risky actions (e.g., downloading unapproved apps or sharing credentials).

Which matter most to your company? Where are there knowledge or skills gaps from your different workforce teams? Measure to find out, as these data points provide a clear picture of how well your workforce is adapting to security changes.

2. Benchmarking Progress
Metrics aren’t just for measuring the present; they’re for tracking progress over time.

Year-over-year benchmarking provides a powerful way to measure progress and set new standards for success. Instead of simply counting activities like 'training completed on time,' organizations should focus on metrics that reflect true impact, such as adoption rates, behavioral changes, or risk reduction percentages. By establishing clear categories and using benchmarks and baselines, you shift from tracking outputs to measuring outcomes.

This approach not only elevates the value of human risk programs but also creates a framework for continuous improvement and meaningful progress.

Benchmarking allows you to:

• Compare your organization’s risk posture against industry standards.
• Identify trends, such as improving awareness or stagnation in specific areas.
• Set realistic goals and milestones for human risk reduction.

3. Tying to ROI
One of the most compelling aspects of human risk metrics is their ability to demonstrate ROI. For example:

• A decrease in phishing click rates can correlate directly to fewer incidents, saving money on incident response and downtime.
• Improved employee behaviors lead to reduced insurance premiums and legal costs associated with data breaches.

By tying metrics to financial outcomes, human risk programs can be positioned as a cost-saving, value-generating asset.

The Tools to Make It Happen

The days of manual tracking and vague reporting are hopefully soon over. While a few spreadsheets to get started as pilot and make sure your measurement model works for your business (see alignment to ROI and Risk Reduction above). Once you're ready to take the leap, modern Human Risk Management platforms offer:

• Dashboards that provide real-time insights into human risk metrics.
• Automated reporting for seamless board-level presentations.
• Risk quantification models that translate behaviors into tangible numbers.

These tools not only simplify tracking but also empower CISOs to communicate human risk in terms that resonate with executives.

The Takeaway

Human risk isn’t impossible to measure—it’s just been misunderstood. With the right tools and approach, organizations can quantify behaviors, benchmark progress, and tie outcomes directly to ROI. This shift from perception to measurement not only strengthens programs but also elevates their strategic importance at the highest levels.

Ready to take the guesswork out of human risk? Let us show you how to quantify, track, and prove value.