Aureon Targets Human Risk with AI-Powered Cybersecurity Training

WEST DES MOINES, IA – February 18, 2026 – Iowa-based technology provider Aureon today launched a new Security Awareness Training platform, a strategic move aimed at tackling what has become cybersecurity’s most persistent vulnerability: the human element. The new service combines AI-generated phishing simulations with adaptive microlearning to help organizations move beyond compliance-driven training and build genuine resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.

This launch comes as businesses of all sizes grapple with an onslaught of social engineering attacks. By focusing on measurable behavior change and continuous education, Aureon is entering a competitive market with a solution designed to transform employees from a potential liability into a robust line of defense.

The Human Factor: Cybersecurity's Persistent Weak Link

Despite billions invested in technological defenses like firewalls and endpoint protection, a staggering 68% of all security breaches in 2024 still involved a human element. This statistic underscores a critical reality: attackers are increasingly targeting people, not just systems. Phishing, pretexting, and other social engineering tactics have become the primary entry vectors for devastating attacks, from data theft to ransomware.

The financial consequences are severe. The average cost of a data breach has climbed to a record $4.45 million, with incidents originating from phishing attacks costing businesses an average of $4.65 million. These figures don't even account for the operational downtime, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties that often follow.

Traditional security training, often limited to an annual, one-size-fits-all presentation, has proven inadequate in the face of these evolving threats. “Security awareness has to move beyond annual check-the-box training,” said Rhiannon Thompson, Product Manager for Managed Services at Aureon. “With Aureon Security Awareness Training, customers get continuous, adaptive education tied to real-world threats, along with executive-level reporting that helps organizations demonstrate measurable impact.”

This sentiment reflects a broader industry shift away from mere awareness and towards building a proactive security culture. The goal is no longer just to inform employees about threats but to equip them with the skills and instincts to recognize and report them effectively.

From Awareness to Resilience: The Shift to Adaptive Training

Aureon's platform is built on the principles of modern adult learning, emphasizing continuous practice and personalized content. A core feature is its use of realistic, AI-generated phishing simulations that can mimic the latest attack techniques across multiple vectors, including email, SMS (smishing), and even QR codes. These simulations provide a safe environment for employees to make mistakes and learn from them.

When an employee clicks on a simulated phishing link, the system doesn't just record a failure; it triggers an immediate microlearning opportunity. This adaptive approach delivers short, role-based training modules aligned to the user's specific risk profile, department, and industry requirements. By providing contextually relevant education in the moment of need, the platform aims to improve knowledge retention and drive lasting behavior change.

This methodology aligns with the emerging field of Human Risk Management (HRM), which leading analysts like Forrester champion as the evolution of security training. HRM focuses on measuring and reducing risky behaviors through data-driven insights and tailored interventions. Aureon’s inclusion of Human Risk Dashboards speaks directly to this trend, providing executives with metrics on reporting rates, risky behaviors, and performance improvement over time.

“Organizations don’t just need awareness, they need resilience,” stated Joseph Johnson, VP of Product Development at Aureon. “Our training helps make security an everyday habit, reducing preventable incidents and strengthening security culture across teams.”

A Crowded Market and a Strategic Play

Aureon is entering a dynamic and growing Security Awareness Training (SAT) market, projected to be worth over $5.7 billion in 2025 and expected to more than double by 2031. The company will compete with established market leaders like KnowBe4 and Proofpoint, both of which have been recognized by Gartner for their comprehensive platforms and large content libraries.

However, Aureon is positioning itself strategically. By offering a fully managed program—including implementation, campaign management, reporting, and ongoing support—the company can appeal to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and other organizations that lack the internal resources to manage a complex training program. This service-led approach leverages Aureon's 40-year history as a trusted technology solutions provider.

The new training platform is a natural extension of Aureon’s existing portfolio of managed IT, connectivity, cloud, and consulting services. It allows the company to offer a more holistic security solution that addresses technology, processes, and people. For its existing client base across the Midwest and nationwide, this new offering provides a direct answer to a pressing need, strengthening the overall security posture from the network perimeter to the individual employee.

Measuring What Matters: A Data-Driven Security Culture

Perhaps the most critical aspect of Aureon's new platform is its emphasis on quantifiable results. In an environment where CISOs and IT leaders must justify every dollar of their budget, the ability to demonstrate a return on investment is paramount. The platform’s Human Risk Dashboards are designed to translate training efforts into executive-level metrics, showing a clear line from educational activities to a reduction in human-related risk.

Beyond risk metrics, the platform also directly addresses compliance needs. With features for policy acknowledgments, attestations, and the generation of audit-ready reports, it helps organizations in regulated industries like healthcare and finance meet their mandatory training requirements. This dual focus on both resilience and compliance makes the solution a practical tool for risk managers and compliance officers alike.

By providing continuous feedback loops and data-driven insights, the platform aims to foster a virtuous cycle of improvement. As employees become better at identifying threats and organizations gain a clearer understanding of their human risk landscape, the entire security culture is elevated. This approach seeks to embed security consciousness into the daily workflow, making it an intuitive and reflexive habit for every member of the team.