Most employees dread compliance training. It’s often seen as a tedious, box-ticking exercise filled with dense policies and forgettable e-learning modules. But here’s the real problem: traditional compliance training doesn’t work. If employees don’t connect with the message, they won’t change their behaviour.
So, how can organisations make compliance training more effective, engaging, and meaningful? The key lies in understanding human psychology and shifting from a rule-based approach to one that is driven by culture. When we approach compliance from the lens of culture, it becomes an opportunity to build a community where shared values drive ethical behaviour.
The real reason compliance training falls flat
Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA, argues that traditional approaches to compliance training often miss the mark by treating employees as passive rule-followers. “For years, organisations have relied on lengthy, complex modules that employees struggle to connect with,” she explains. “This approach doesn’t just risk ineffective learning; it can also create a false sense of security around behavioural change. But compliance needs to be lived, not just learned.”
Most people don’t break compliance rules because they’re rebellious. Instead, they often take shortcuts without realising it’s a risk. People are naturally drawn to the path of least resistance, especially when they don’t feel culturally connected to the purpose behind rules.
By fostering a sense of shared responsibility and purpose, organisations can build a compliance culture where following the rules is instinctive and aligned with personal and professional values. If employees don’t understand the why behind compliance, they won’t care about the how.
The cybersecurity connection
Take phishing scams, for example. An employee might cause a major security breach because they unknowingly clicked on a fraudulent email. This employee has had compliance training but didn’t connect it to real-world risks. The training failed because it was theoretical, not practical.
Stephen Osler, co-founder and business development director at Nclose, a cybersecurity services provider, emphasises the link between compliance and security. “From a cybersecurity standpoint, compliance training is not just about meeting regulatory requirements. It’s about creating a human firewall that recognises and responds to potential threats. When employees understand the ‘why’ behind compliance measures, they’re far more likely to adhere to them consistently.”
How to make compliance training actually work
So, what’s the fix? Collard suggests a multi-faceted approach:
- Knowledge transfer: Effective compliance training goes deeper than just understanding the ‘what’; it also explores the ‘why’ behind policies, connecting these back to organisational values and individual roles.
- Skill development: Theory alone isn’t enough. Employees need safe environments to practice compliance-related skills, with coaching and feedback to reinforce positive behaviours.
- Personal relevance: When compliance training is relevant to personal and organisational goals, it feels less like a directive and more like a shared vision. Employees feel invested in a compliance culture that supports their success and values.
This approach aligns with research showing that individuals are more likely to change behaviour and follow procedures when these three elements are present.
Collard also emphasises the importance of ongoing reinforcement: “Ultimately, creating a compliance culture requires ongoing reinforcement — not as a once-a-year ‘must-do’ but as a continuous dialogue that integrates compliance as part of the organisation’s identity.”
A smarter way to train: Compliance Plus
To tackle these challenges, KnowBe4 developed Compliance Plus — an innovative compliance training solution designed to make learning stick. Unlike traditional, standardised modules, Compliance Plus offers:
- Bite-sized, engaging content tailored to different learning styles.
- Interactive scenarios that help employees practice real-world decision making.
- Seamless integration with KnowBe4’s Security Awareness Training for a holistic approach to risk management.
“This shift from one-size-fits-all modules to customised, ongoing learning helps build an organisation-wide compliance mindset where everyone feels connected to the bigger picture,” Collard explains.
By integrating compliance and security awareness, a more unified learning experience is created. “This integration helps employees see the bigger picture of how their actions contribute to the organisation’s overall risk posture,” Collard notes.
The platform also emphasises measurement and adaptability. Regular assessments enable organisations to track progress, highlight focus areas, and ensure training evolves to meet changing needs — maximising resource efficiency.
Compliance as a culture, not a checklist
As organisations grapple with a complex regulatory landscape and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the need for practical compliance training has never been greater.
The best compliance training isn’t about forcing employees to follow rules — it’s about empowering them to make the right decisions naturally. When done right, compliance training promotes a safer, more ethical workplace where everyone plays a part in protecting the organisation.
“I encourage organisations to view compliance not as an obligation but as an opportunity to reinforce culture and empower employees to positively shape a safe workplace,” Collard says.
Are you ready to transform your compliance training? Learn more about KnowBe4’s Compliance Plus and how it can help your organisation build a culture of compliance that works: https://www.knowbe4.com/products/compliance-plus
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