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Free Cyber Security Survey

50+ Expert Crafted Cyber Security Survey Questions for Employees

Surveys > Business

Gain actionable insights into your organization's defenses by measuring cyber security survey questions that pinpoint gaps in awareness, culture, or IT controls. A cyber security survey is a structured questionnaire - featuring everything from cyber security survey questions for employees and students to information security awareness and security culture survey questions - that helps you benchmark risk and strengthen your posture; grab our free template preloaded with sample questions or customize your own in our form builder.

I am familiar with my organization's cybersecurity policies.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
How often do you change your passwords?
Every 30 days
Every 60 days
Every 90 days
Less often than every 90 days
I do not change my passwords
Have you completed cybersecurity training in the past 12 months?
Yes
No
I feel confident identifying phishing emails.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
Which security tool or application do you use most frequently?
Antivirus software
Virtual private network (VPN)
Multi-factor authentication
Encryption tools
Other
What challenges have you faced in adhering to cybersecurity best practices?
Do you have any suggestions for improving our cybersecurity culture?
What is your primary role in the organization?
IT/Technology
Finance/Accounting
Human Resources
Management
Other
How many years of professional experience do you have?
Less than 1 year
1-3 years
4-6 years
7-10 years
More than 10 years
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Top Secrets to Crafting an Effective Cyber Security Survey

Launching a cyber security survey puts decision-makers in the driver's seat. It collects honest feedback on threats, training gaps, and digital habits. Whether you're weighing password strength or phishing risks, this tool sharpens your strategy. It arms you with the data you need to prioritize resources and justify budgets. Jump in with a quick poll or a full-scale Security Survey to map your risk landscape.

Tailoring questions to specific teams ensures deeper insight. A framework like the one in Designing a Cyber-security Culture Assessment Survey Targeting Critical Infrastructures During Covid-19 Crisis shows how context shapes results. By aligning queries with your industry's unique pressures - remote work, compliance demands, or high-value assets - you substantially boost relevance. That clarity drives action and buy-in from every department, from IT to HR.

Imagine a small finance firm rolling out a short questionnaire to test employees' awareness. They start with "How confident are you in spotting phishing emails?" to get a clear baseline. Next, they ask "Do you know whom to call if you detect a security breach?" for practical follow-up. These cyber security survey questions for employees paint a direct safety profile and flag risky blind spots before they become costly incidents.

Adopt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to structure your study around Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. It sets a familiar lens and accelerates question design for application, network, or computer security survey questions. Draft prompts like "How regularly do you update your workstation's software?" or "What barriers prevent you from reporting security vulnerabilities?" to cover both behavior and obstacles.

Keep your survey concise - aim for 8 - 12 well-crafted items. Use a mix of multiple-choice, Likert scales, and one open-ended question to capture nuance without overwhelming respondents. For example, include a classic information security awareness survey question: "On a scale of 1 - 5, how familiar are you with our password policy?" This blend improves response rates and yields richer data you can act on.

Artistic 3D voxel representing cyber security survey analysis
Artistic 3D voxel depicting security survey data insights

5 Must-Know Tips to Dodge Common Cyber Security Survey Mistakes

One common trap is setting vague objectives. Without clear goals, you end up with scattershot feedback and low-impact insights. A recent study, Developing a Cyber Security Culture: Current Practices and Future Needs, highlights how surveys can drift off course without focused questions. Define if you're measuring awareness, behaviors, or policy compliance before you write a single item to stay on track.

Overloading participants with too many questions kills your response rate. Keep surveys under 15 items and mix formats - multiple-choice, Likert scales, and one open-ended question - to keep energy high. Stick to key themes like policy understanding and threat recognition to build effective security awareness survey questions. Sample prompts like "How often do you update your passwords?" and "What barriers prevent you from reporting security incidents?" offer both clarity and depth. A streamlined approach typically boosts completion by 20 - 30%.

Jargon is another invisible barrier. When you use insider terms, you risk confusing or alienating respondents. Convert technical phrases into plain language: swap "endpoint vulnerability" for "device security risk." Pilot test with a small team or run a quick Security Culture Survey to catch unclear wording. This step saves time and frustration down the line.

Finally, don't leave your survey to gather digital dust. Analyze results, share key insights, and map out follow-up actions within a week. Organizations seeking formal validation often adopt standards like the Common Criteria, as explored in How Do Organizations Seek Cyber Assurance?. Use your findings to refine policies, tailor training, and close gaps. By cycling through this feedback loop regularly, you solidify a proactive security posture - just like top firms that use iterative surveys as part of their compliance and risk management arsenal.

Cyber Security Survey Questions for Employees

Understanding employee cybersecurity practices is essential to safeguard organizational data and systems. This survey section focuses on measuring employee behavior, awareness, and preparedness in cyber threat scenarios. Use these questions to identify training gaps and improve your Employee Safety Survey initiatives.

  1. How often do you update your work-related passwords?

    Frequent password updates reduce the risk of credential compromise and reflect good security hygiene.

  2. Are you familiar with the company's policy on reporting suspected phishing emails?

    Policy awareness ensures timely reporting to security teams and can prevent breaches from spreading.

  3. Have you completed the annual cybersecurity training within the last year?

    Training completion correlates with higher awareness of threats and reduces the likelihood of successful attacks.

  4. Do you use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing corporate systems?

    MFA significantly increases account security by requiring an additional verification step.

  5. How comfortable are you identifying suspicious email attachments?

    Comfort level in spotting malicious content reflects your ability to prevent phishing incidents.

  6. Have you experienced a security incident at work, such as a malware infection?

    Incident history reveals areas where additional training or tools may be needed.

  7. How often do you use the company-approved VPN when connecting remotely?

    Consistent VPN usage protects corporate data in transit over unsecured networks.

  8. Do you verify the legitimacy of software before installation?

    Software validation prevents unauthorized or malicious applications from running on company devices.

  9. Are you aware of the process for reporting lost or stolen devices?

    Reporting procedures reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data on missing devices.

  10. How confident are you in recognizing social engineering attempts?

    Confidence in identifying manipulation tactics predicts proactive defense against social engineering.

Physical Security Survey Questions

Assessing physical security measures helps mitigate risks from unauthorized access and theft of critical assets. This set of questions evaluates perimeter controls, access policies, and staff adherence to protocols. Integrate with your Home Security Survey or broader security strategy.

  1. How often are security badges checked at entry points?

    Consistent badge checks deter unauthorized entry and maintain accountability.

  2. Do employees receive training on locking workstations when unattended?

    Locking workstations protects sensitive information from accidental or malicious viewing.

  3. Are surveillance cameras strategically placed in critical areas?

    Camera coverage enhances detection of suspicious activity and aids incident investigations.

  4. How frequently are physical access logs reviewed?

    Log reviews identify unauthorized access attempts and support forensic analysis.

  5. Are visitors required to sign in and display visitor badges?

    Visitor management reduces the chance of tailgating and unauthorized presence.

  6. Do you conduct regular security drills for emergency evacuations?

    Drills ensure readiness during incidents and familiarize staff with response procedures.

  7. Is there a process for reporting lost or stolen physical access cards?

    Prompt reporting limits the window for unauthorized facility access.

  8. Are server rooms restricted by additional access controls?

    Layered access controls safeguard critical systems from both internal and external threats.

  9. Do you monitor environmental controls like temperature and humidity?

    Environmental monitoring prevents hardware damage and downtime.

  10. How effective is your perimeter fencing or gate controls?

    Perimeter defenses are the first line of protection against intruders and trespassers.

Security Culture Survey Questions

A robust security culture empowers teams to prioritize protective behaviors and report incidents proactively. These questions explore attitudes, leadership support, and peer engagement in security practices. Compare responses with insights from your Security Culture Survey initiatives.

  1. Do leaders openly discuss the importance of cybersecurity?

    Leadership engagement fosters awareness and signals organizational commitment to security.

  2. Do you feel comfortable reporting security concerns without reprisal?

    Psychological safety encourages prompt reporting of issues, reducing incident impact.

  3. Are security successes recognized and shared across teams?

    Recognition reinforces positive behaviors and motivates ongoing vigilance.

  4. How often do teams collaborate on security best practices?

    Collaboration builds shared responsibility and leverages collective expertise.

  5. Do employees encourage peers to follow security policies?

    Peer influence boosts adherence and creates a supportive security environment.

  6. Is there clear communication about changes to security protocols?

    Transparent communication prevents confusion and ensures consistent compliance.

  7. Do you believe security is a shared responsibility in your organization?

    Shared ownership strengthens culture and distributes accountability.

  8. Are security incidents used as learning opportunities?

    Learning from incidents improves processes and prevents recurrence.

  9. Do you have access to resources for security-related questions?

    Easy access to resources reduces confusion and supports informed decision-making.

  10. How aligned are security goals with business objectives?

    Alignment ensures security supports operations without hindering productivity.

Information Security Awareness Survey Questions

Information security awareness is the foundation of a resilient defense against data breaches and phishing attacks. Use this section to gauge employee knowledge on policies, threat vectors, and safe handling of sensitive information. Link results back to your Data Security Awareness Training Survey for targeted improvements.

  1. Can you identify common phishing email indicators?

    Phishing detection is key to preventing credential theft and malware infections.

  2. How well do you understand data classification levels?

    Classification guides handling practices and ensures appropriate protection.

  3. Do you follow guidelines for secure data disposal?

    Proper disposal prevents sensitive information from being recovered post-reuse.

  4. Are you aware of the risks of using public Wi-Fi for work?

    Public networks can expose sensitive data to eavesdropping without proper safeguards.

  5. Do you know how to encrypt sensitive documents before sharing?

    Encryption ensures confidentiality when transmitting or storing critical files.

  6. How often do you review the company's privacy policies?

    Regular reviews keep users updated on evolving requirements and best practices.

  7. Have you participated in any security awareness campaigns?

    Campaign participation boosts knowledge retention and alters behavior positively.

  8. Can you recognize the steps of an insider threat scenario?

    Awareness of insider threats aids in early detection and mitigation.

  9. Are you familiar with incident reporting channels for data breaches?

    Knowing channels speeds up response and containment of security events.

  10. Do you understand the consequences of non-compliance with policies?

    Consequence awareness promotes adherence and underscores policy importance.

IT Security Survey Questions

IT security controls are critical in defending networks, endpoints, and applications from evolving threats. This question set examines configurations, patch management, and incident response readiness. Pair findings with a comprehensive Security Survey to strengthen your infrastructure.

  1. Are critical systems patched within defined service windows?

    Timely patching reduces known vulnerabilities and lowers overall risk.

  2. Do you follow a documented change management process?

    Change processes limit unintended disruptions and ensure traceability.

  3. Is endpoint protection software installed on all devices?

    Endpoint defenses help detect and block malware before it spreads.

  4. Do you regularly review firewall configurations?

    Config reviews ensure policies remain aligned with evolving threats.

  5. Are system backups tested for integrity and restorability?

    Backup testing confirms you can recover data in case of an incident.

  6. Do you have intrusion detection systems in place?

    IDS alerts you to unauthorized activities and potential breaches in real time.

  7. Is network segmentation implemented to isolate sensitive data?

    Segmentation limits lateral movement and contains potential threats.

  8. Do you maintain an updated inventory of hardware and software assets?

    Asset inventories support risk assessments and vulnerability management.

  9. Are logs centrally collected and analyzed?

    Centralized log analysis aids in rapid incident detection and forensic review.

  10. Do you conduct regular vulnerability scans?

    Scans identify weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.

Cyber Security Survey Questions for Students

Students face unique cybersecurity challenges, from social engineering to device sharing in academic environments. This survey section addresses behaviors, resource awareness, and support systems in educational settings. Consider integrating with a Cyber Bullying Survey for holistic campus protection.

  1. How often do you change passwords for your academic accounts?

    Regular changes prevent credential theft and maintain account security.

  2. Are you aware of university guidelines for safe device use?

    Guidelines reduce exposure to malware and unauthorized access on shared devices.

  3. Have you experienced phishing attempts in your student email?

    Experience highlights threat prevalence and training needs.

  4. Do you use two-factor authentication on campus portals?

    MFA protects student records and personal information from compromise.

  5. How comfortable are you using public computers securely?

    Comfort influences safe practices when accessing sensitive data.

  6. Do you back up your academic work to secure locations?

    Backups prevent data loss from hardware failures or accidental deletions.

  7. Are you informed about network access policies in dorms?

    Policy knowledge ensures compliance and reduces unauthorized use.

  8. Do you report lost or stolen devices to campus IT?

    Reporting minimizes unauthorized access to your accounts and data.

  9. How often do you review privacy settings on social platforms?

    Privacy review guards personal data from oversharing and public exposure.

  10. Are you familiar with the process to report cyberbullying incidents?

    Awareness enables timely intervention and support for affected students.

FAQ

What are the essential cyber security survey questions to assess organizational vulnerabilities?

Essential cyber security survey questions in a free survey template include assessing password policy enforcement, phishing response, patch management frequency, firewall configurations, data encryption practices, user privilege reviews, incident reporting processes, and third-party risk evaluations. Using these example questions helps organizations uncover vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation effectively.

How can I tailor cyber security survey questions for employees to evaluate their awareness and practices?

Customize an employee survey template by defining job roles, crafting behavior-based example questions, using scenario-driven prompts, setting clear rating scales, and including open-text fields for detailed feedback. This tailored cyber security survey focuses on everyday practices like password habits, phishing recognition, device usage, and policy adherence to measure awareness accurately.

What are effective cyber security survey questions for students to gauge their understanding of online safety?

An effective student survey template uses example questions on safe password creation, recognizing phishing emails, privacy settings management, secure social media habits, and secure browsing. Include multiple-choice and scenario-based items to engage students, measure understanding of online safety, and identify areas for additional education in a free survey.

How do I design information security survey questions to measure compliance with data protection policies?

Design an information security survey template with example questions covering data classification awareness, policy acknowledgment, access control compliance, encryption usage, incident reporting procedures, and audit participation. Use clear rating scales and scenario-based prompts to quantify staff adherence to data protection policies and pinpoint training gaps.

What are key physical security survey questions to assess facility access controls and safeguards?

Key physical security survey template questions include assessing badge access procedures, visitor sign-in processes, surveillance coverage, alarm system reliability, perimeter fencing, security guard patrol frequency, and emergency exit clarity. Use example questions with Yes/No and scale ratings to evaluate safeguards and identify access control weaknesses.

How can I create security culture survey questions to evaluate the organization's commitment to cyber security?

Create a security culture survey template with example questions on leadership support, staff security communication, reward systems for reporting risks, training participation, and shared responsibility attitudes. Incorporate Likert scales and open-ended prompts to measure commitment levels, teamwork on security events, and cultural alignment with cyber security goals.

What are the best practices for formulating cyber security awareness survey questions to identify training needs?

Best practices for a cyber security awareness survey template include using clear language, combining multiple-choice and scenario-based example questions, covering phishing, password hygiene, and device security, and incorporating self-assessment scales. Structure questions to pinpoint knowledge gaps, training preferences, and frequency needs to tailor effective learning programs.

How do I develop IT security survey questions to assess the effectiveness of current security measures?

Develop an IT security survey template with example questions on firewall and antivirus performance, patch management frequency, network segmentation, intrusion detection results, backup reliability, and vulnerability scanning. Use quantitative scales and incident-based scenarios to evaluate measure effectiveness, identify weaknesses, and guide enhancements to security architecture.

What are critical cyber security survey questions for employees to understand their role in preventing breaches?

Include critical employee survey template example questions on password management responsibilities, phishing reporting procedures, device usage policies, secure remote access, and incident response roles. Use scenario-based items and Likert scales to gauge understanding of individual duties in breach prevention, fostering accountability and highlighting areas for targeted education.

How can I craft information security awareness survey questions to measure staff knowledge of security protocols?

Craft an information security awareness survey template featuring example questions on data handling procedures, incident reporting steps, secure file sharing, access permission guidelines, and encryption standards. Combine multiple-choice and true/false formats with scenario-based prompts to measure staff protocol knowledge and reveal training priorities.

What are essential cyber security survey questions for students to promote safe online behaviors?

Essential student survey template example questions cover safe password habits, social media privacy settings, identifying phishing attempts, secure online collaboration, and malware avoidance. Use interactive multiple-choice and scenario-based items to promote self-reflection, reinforce safe online behaviors, and guide targeted education modules in academic settings.

How do I create physical security survey questions to evaluate the adequacy of on-site security measures?

Create a physical security survey template with example questions on perimeter integrity, access badge effectiveness, CCTV coverage, emergency response plans, lighting sufficiency, and security personnel visibility. Use Yes/No, scale ratings, and open-text fields to evaluate on-site security adequacy and plan facility safeguards improvements.

What are effective security culture survey questions to assess the organization's overall security posture?

Effective security culture survey template example questions include evaluating leadership transparency on security, frequency of security briefings, risk reporting comfort levels, peer support for secure practices, and recognition of security champions. Use Likert scales and open-ended queries to assess organizational security posture, engagement levels, and cultural support for resilience.

How can I design cyber security awareness survey questions to identify gaps in employee training programs?

Design a cyber security awareness survey template with example questions on familiarity with phishing tests, confidence in incident response, policy comprehension, password management skills, and secure device usage. Include self-assessment scales and scenario-based prompts to pinpoint training gaps, inform curriculum updates, and improve program effectiveness.

What are key IT security survey questions to evaluate the organization's readiness against cyber threats?

Key IT security survey template example questions cover disaster recovery testing, incident response drill frequency, threat intelligence utilization, system patching cadence, access control reviews, and penetration test results. Use structured scales and scenario-based items to evaluate readiness, reveal defense gaps, and guide security preparedness enhancements.

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