Why e-Learning? Part 1
By Wayne Kendall

Companies worldwide are facing significant threats to their proprietary information and assets both from within and external threats. Security leaders recognize the risk many companies face and the problem to mitigate this risk by communicating the risk to their employees. With companies doing business in an increasingly fast-paced environment and it is showing no signs of slackening, there is little time for their employees to attend security awareness training. A solution to this is e-learning.

E-learning is training that takes place online. It can encompass anything from Webinars, PowerPoint presentations, to full-blown interactive presentations that include tracking, scoring and certifications. But why is e-learning becoming a more attractive alternative to facilitator-led training that in past years sufficiently fulfilled business needs?

Over the next three issues, we will discuss each of these, the first being time and money.

One of the main reasons companies are introducing e-learning is because it eases time and budget constraints. In our "keep up or get out" culture employees have their plates full and learn early to use their time as economically as possible. Available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week and mobile, e-learning can easily fit into schedules.

Moreover, with no travel necessary, the drain on productivity and budgets is far less, making it a cost-effective approach. More companies are taking this route, unwilling to foot travel bills. After the initial development costs, these courses can be re-used for years. No paying trainers, no travel costs and no taking employees away from their jobs en masse for days at a time. Employees put in training when they need it and when it is convenient.

With the recession and companies switching to cost-savings mode, e-learning is becoming the way to go. However, its ability to alleviate constraints isn't e-learning's only benefit. It is also an effective way to train employees. Next issue, we will discuss how learning styles play a part in the shift to e-learning.

For more information on how you can use e-learning in your business, contact us at 613.342.2200 ext. 104 or www.canadiansecuritytraining.ca