Research report · 2025

Security Awareness Benchmark Netherlands 2025

Based on anonymised platform data from Dutch organizations that used 2LRN4 in 2024. Phishing click rate, training completion and NIS2 readiness — measured at the start and after 12 months.

Data: 2024 · Scope: Netherlands · Method: anonymised aggregation via 2LRN4 platform · License: CC BY 4.0

Key findings

18%
Average phishing click rate at start
6%
Click rate after 12 months structured program
89%
Training completion (industry average: 54%)
−67%
Reduction in click rate after full program

Interpretation: Organizations that combine phishing simulations with e-learning and clear management communication achieve a click rate well below 10% after 12 months — the threshold typically applied in NIS2 audits.

Phishing click rate by sector

Sector At start After 12 months Improvement
Healthcare 24% 8% −67%
Education 22% 7% −68%
Government 19% 6% −68%
Industry 17% 5% −71%
Financial 14% 4% −71%

Most dangerous phishing types

Percentage of employees who clicked on the first simulation of this type.

CEO fraud / Business Email Compromise 47%
Invoice phishing (fake supplier) 38%
IT helpdesk (password reset) 35%
Parcel delivery (DHL / PostNL) 31%
Spear phishing with personal info 29%

NIS2 readiness: before and after

Average score at start
7/16
44% readiness
Average score after 12 months
13/16
81% readiness
Most improved areas
  • Demonstrable board training (art. 20)
  • Employee phishing awareness (art. 21)
  • Audit evidence and reporting
Methodology

Data collected via the 2LRN4 platform during calendar year 2024. Anonymised and aggregated across participating organizations in the Netherlands. Phishing click rate: percentage of unique employees who clicked on a simulated phishing email. Training completion: percentage of started e-learning modules that were fully completed. NIS2 readiness: score on the 2LRN4 readiness check (16 criteria based on art. 20 and 21 of the NIS2 Directive). Sector classification based on Dutch SBI codes. Organizations with fewer than 50 employees are excluded. License: CC BY 4.0 — free to cite with attribution "2LRN4 Security Awareness Benchmark Netherlands 2025".

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Including sector comparison, NIS2 analysis and recommendations per organization size. Free to use with attribution.

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