As cyberattacks grow more frequent, targeted, and sophisticated, organizations can no longer afford to treat cybersecurity as just an IT issue. Cyber resilience — the ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber threats — has become a business-critical priority. And yet, many companies are still falling short.

According to recent research, while 86% of organizations claim to have a cyber resilience program in place, more than half lack a structured way to assess its effectiveness. This disconnect highlights a deeper issue: cyber resilience isn’t just about having a plan — it’s about people, processes, and measurable outcomes.

To help your organization build real cyber resilience, here are four key strategies that go beyond basic training and reactive policies. These best practices focus on preparing your entire workforce, not just your security team, to handle evolving cyber risks with confidence and agility.

1. Move Beyond Traditional Training: Simulate, Practice, Adapt

Most companies still rely on outdated training approaches — static presentations, once-a-year workshops, or simple online modules — that do little to prepare employees for real-world threats. These methods might check a compliance box, but they don’t build the readiness required to respond effectively in high-pressure situations.

Today’s cyber threats demand an agile and continuous learning model. Instead of passive learning, organizations should focus on interactive simulations that mimic real cyberattacks. These exercises can expose vulnerabilities in both technical systems and human behavior, offering valuable insights into where additional training or support is needed.

For example, simulated phishing campaigns, ransomware drills, and breach response exercises can train employees to think critically, act quickly, and collaborate under stress — all vital skills in a real attack scenario. As the Immersive Labs 2023 Cyber Workforce Resilience Trends Report found, 64% of security leaders believe traditional training is inadequate. Resilience requires learning that evolves as fast as the threats.

2. Empower Employees as the First Line of Defense

Technology alone isn’t enough. Firewalls, encryption, and monitoring tools are essential — but they can be rendered useless if an employee clicks the wrong link or misconfigures a system. That’s why human readiness must be at the center of your cyber resilience strategy.

A well-informed and well-practiced workforce can often detect and contain threats faster than automated systems. But this requires more than just awareness; it requires active participation, ownership, and preparedness across all roles and departments.

Every employee — from frontline staff to senior executives — should know how to identify suspicious activity, report potential breaches, and follow established protocols during a cyber event. Building this kind of proactive culture involves regular drills, transparent communication, and reinforcing that everyone has a role to play in security.

Ultimately, it’s not a matter of if a breach will happen, but when. When it does, your team’s readiness can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a costly disaster.

3. Look Beyond Certifications: Hire and Develop for Real-World Capability

Cybersecurity talent is in high demand — and short supply. Many hiring managers default to certifications as a quick way to evaluate candidates, but credentials don’t always reflect real-world performance.

Yes, certifications like CISSP or CompTIA Security+ can indicate foundational knowledge. But to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, teams also need people with practical experience, adaptability, and a growth mindset. According to the Immersive Labs report, while 63% of leaders prioritize certifications, many also recognize the value of hands-on capability and continuous learning.

This is where internal development comes in. By providing mentorship, access to emerging tools, and ongoing training, organizations can upskill existing staff and build a more resilient, well-rounded team. Diversity of experience — not just a list of credentials — strengthens your cybersecurity posture.

4. Measure What Matters: Capability, Confidence, and Readiness

Too often, companies pour money into cybersecurity tools without knowing whether those investments are actually making them safer. Metrics matter — but they need to go beyond tool adoption or training completion rates.

Ask yourself:

• Do we have data that shows how prepared our team is for a real cyber incident?
• Can we identify specific strengths and weaknesses in our staff’s responses to simulated threats?
• Are we sharing these insights with leadership to drive smarter decisions and investments?

Unfortunately, fewer than 60% of organizations today share breach readiness data across leadership, and over half say they don’t have the insights they need to assess response readiness. This lack of measurement leads to wasted budgets and a false sense of security.

By implementing regular assessments and performance-based simulations, you can gather tangible evidence of your team’s resilience. This not only supports better planning, but it also helps justify future investments and keeps your organization accountable.

Conclusion: Building a Resilient Culture from the Inside Out

There’s no universal blueprint for cyber resilience. Each organization faces unique risks, uses different tools, and operates under varying levels of regulatory pressure. But across the board, one principle holds true: your people are your most powerful defense.

By modernizing training, building a culture of shared responsibility, prioritizing practical skills over paper credentials, and tracking meaningful data, you can move from a reactive security model to a resilient, forward-looking one.

Cyber resilience isn’t just a security initiative — it’s a strategic business imperative. And it starts with giving your people the tools, training, and confidence to protect what matters most.