Why Measuring Human Risk Success Is So Hard—and How to Do It Right

Measuring success in human risk management is notoriously tricky. Unlike other areas of cybersecurity, where success is defined by stopping breaches or identifying vulnerabilities, metrics for Human Risk Programs often feels intangible. The absence of "bad things happening" doesn’t always translate into clear, quantifiable success. Here’s why many programs struggle to show measurable impact—and what can be done about it.

5 Reasons Programs Struggle to Show Impact

1. Risk Feels Invisible 

Success in human risk management often means nothing happens—no breaches, no critical mistakes, no dramatic "stopped the hacker" moments. This lack of visible results makes it hard to prove a program’s value, especially to stakeholders looking for ROI.

2. Human Behavior Is Multifaceted

Human behavior in an organization is influenced by countless factors:

• The person’s mindset at the time.
• Clarity of instructions.
• Quality of training.
• Policies and tech backstops in place.

All these elements intersect in complex ways, making it hard to pinpoint where success—or failure—originates.

3. Misleading Metrics

Phishing simulation click-through rates have become a go-to metric, but they often lack nuance:

• A bad month might reflect external stressors, not program failure.

• A good month doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve eliminated risk.

Without context, these numbers fail to capture the full picture of human risk.

4. Completion Rates Lack Meaning

Measuring “everyone took the training” or even quiz scores doesn’t provide insight into real understanding or behavior change. For example:

• A 90-minute e-learning session may be completed, but what’s the retention rate after a few weeks?
• Did the training change behavior or just tick a compliance box?

5. No Consistent Framework for Success

Organizations lack a unified standard for measuring human risk success. Without benchmarks or clear indicators, it’s challenging to compare progress, identify gaps, or make meaningful improvements.

Rethinking Human Risk Metrics

Human risk management needs a more sophisticated approach to measurement—one that goes beyond surface-level data like training completion rates or phishing simulations. Here’s how we approach it:

• Broader Indicators of Competency
  We look at competency not just in terms of knowledge but also its application. Are employees demonstrating secure behavior in their day-to-day tasks?
• Understanding Psychology and Behavior
  Behavioral patterns, psychological factors, and soft indicators like hesitation to click on suspicious links or willingness to report incidents are leading predictors of risk.
• Digital Risk Culture
  Your organization’s culture plays a huge role in human risk. Are employees encouraged to ask questions? Are leaders modeling secure behavior? Cultural indicators give a broader perspective on risk readiness.
• Patterns and Groupings
  Analyzing data holistically reveals patterns across groups, teams, or locations, helping to identify systemic risks or standout champions who can lead by example.

Defining Impact the Right Way

For us, success in human risk management means more than avoiding breaches:

• Did employees love the experience? Engaging programs create lasting impact.
• Did you make a difference? Effective programs empower employees to act confidently.
• Did you reach everyone? Inclusive training ensures no one is left behind.
• How many champions did you create? Advocates amplify your program’s impact across the organization.
• Did you make security easier? Programs that reduce friction help employees stay safe and secure without overburdening them.

The Way Forward

Measuring success in human risk requires a shift from reactive, compliance-based metrics to proactive, behavior-focused insights. By adopting a comprehensive model that accounts for competency, psychology, behavior, and culture, organizations can uncover the leading indicators that truly matter.

Ready to reimagine how you measure success in human risk? Let’s talk about building smarter programs that deliver real impact- from Human Risk Management Strategy to helping teams put Human Risk Management into action, our team has the hands on expertise with innovative thinking needed to tackle the biggest cyber risk in business today.