easyMultiple Choice
200-201 Practice Question: A security policy mandates that all employees…
A security policy mandates that all employees complete annual security awareness training. Which of the following metrics best demonstrates the effectiveness of this training?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'compliance metrics' (e.g., completion rates) and 'effectiveness metrics' (e.g., incident reduction), trapping candidates who confuse activity with outcome.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Decrease in security incidents attributed to user error
A decrease in security incidents attributed to user error directly measures the behavioral outcome of the training. Effective security awareness training should reduce the frequency of incidents caused by human mistakes, such as clicking malicious links or mishandling data. This metric reflects the ultimate goal of the training, not just participation or short-term knowledge retention.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Results of a post-training quiz
Why it's wrong here
A post-training quiz measures knowledge retention, not whether behaviour changed or incidents fell. It is tempting because quizzes are easy to score and report, but effectiveness requires outcome metrics such as phishing simulation click rates or reduced policy violations. The quiz only evidences comprehension at that moment, not applied security awareness.
- ✗
Percentage of employees who completed the training
Why it's wrong here
Completion percentage measures attendance, not whether behaviour changed or phishing susceptibility dropped. It is tempting because it is easy to track and proves the policy was delivered, but effectiveness requires outcome metrics such as simulated phishing click rates or report rates.
- ✗
Number of help desk tickets related to phishing
Why it's wrong here
Help desk phishing tickets measure reported suspicious mail, not whether employees avoided clicking or improved judgement; volume also fluctuates with campaign intensity. It is tempting as a behavioural signal, but effectiveness is demonstrated by simulated phishing click rates and reporting rates over time.
- ✓
Decrease in security incidents attributed to user error
Why this is correct
A reduction in incidents caused by user error directly measures behavioural change resulting from training, unlike completion rates which only show attendance. This metric satisfies the effectiveness requirement by evidencing that awareness translated into fewer risky actions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.