Cybersecurity Awareness Training Showdown: Living Security vs. KnowBe4 vs. Proofpoint

Let’s be real—cybersecurity training has a bit of a reputation. You mention “security awareness,” and half the office suddenly finds an urgent need to refill their coffee. But with social engineering attacks on the rise and human error responsible for over 80% of breaches, security training isn’t just a checkbox—it’s so much more important than that. 

So, if you’re looking for a cybersecurity awareness training platform that won’t bore your employees into loathing their cybersecurity departments, you’ve got options. Three of the top contenders? Living Security, KnowBe4, and Proofpoint Security Awareness Training. Each has its strengths, and each is a partner here at SecureNation . So, let’s break them down and find the best fit for your team. 

Living Security : The Fun & Gamified Innovator 

🎮 Best for: Gamified, immersive, and behavioral-focused training 

If the words “security training” make your employees groan, Living Security might just be your lifesaver. Instead of traditional slide decks and quizzes, Living Security makes learning fun with escape rooms, interactive storytelling, and team-based challenges. 

🔹 What’s great about it? 

✔ Most engaging platform—escape rooms, storytelling, and games. 

✔ Focuses on behavior change, not just training completion. 

✔ Advanced human risk scoring that integrates with SIEM & IAM tools. 

✔ Best for organizations that want to boost security culture. 

⚠️ Potential drawbacks? 

❌ Phishing simulations are weaker than KnowBe4’s. 

❌ Higher cost for immersive experiences. 

Verdict: If you want employees to actually enjoy security training, Living Security is your best bet. It’s less about checking boxes and more about driving real behavioral change. 

KnowBe4 : The Phishing Simulation Powerhouse 

🚀 Best for: Phishing simulations & compliance-driven training 

If you want to put your employees to the test with realistic phishing attacks, KnowBe4 is the go-to platform. Their AI-driven phishing simulations are top-notch, letting you send out tricky, real-world-style phishing emails to see who takes the bait (and then train them accordingly). 

🔹 What’s great about it? 

✔ Industry-leading phishing tests with customizable templates. 

✔ Huge library of security awareness content (videos, quizzes, games). 

✔ Strong compliance focus (HIPAA, GDPR, PCI, etc.). 

✔ Simple and effective user risk scoring based on training performance. 

⚠️ Potential drawbacks? 

❌ Less engaging than newer, interactive training methods. 

❌ Doesn’t provide deep behavioral analytics. 

Verdict: If your top priority is phishing simulation and compliance training, KnowBe4 is the best in the business. But if you want next-level engagement, you might want to look elsewhere. 

Proofpoint Security Awareness Training : The Data-Driven Defender 

🔍 Best for: Threat-driven training & behavioral analytics 

Proofpoint takes a data-first approach to security awareness, leveraging its industry-leading threat intelligence to provide personalized, adaptive training based on actual attack trends. If you’re already using Proofpoint for email security, the integration makes this an even stronger choice. 

🔹 What’s great about it? 

✔ Uses real-world threat intelligence to shape training programs. 

✔ Adaptive learning adjusts training based on employee behavior. 

✔ Deep integration with email security & SIEM tools. 

✔ More behavior-based insights than KnowBe4. 

⚠️ Potential drawbacks? 

❌ Pricier than some competitors. 

❌ Smaller training content library compared to KnowBe4. 

Verdict: If you want security awareness training tied to real-world threats, Proofpoint is a strong choice. It’s smarter than KnowBe4, but it lacks some of the breadth of training content. 

Final Recommendation: Which One Should You Pick? 

Use Case  Best Choice 

Most Engaging & Gamified Training  ✅ Living Security 

Best Phishing Simulations & Compliance Training  ✅ KnowBe4 

Threat-Driven Training & Behavior Analytics  ✅ Proofpoint 

The right choice depends on what matters most to your organization. Want the most realistic phishing simulations? Go with KnowBe4. Need training based on real-time threat intelligence? Proofpoint is your answer. Looking for fun, immersive training that doesn’t suck? Living Security is a game-changer. 

What’s your experience with security awareness training? Drop a comment below! 👇 

References 

• Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 2023 

• Living Security 

• KnowBe4 

• Proofpoint