Regulations? They’re constantly transforming. Operational challenges? They’re growing increasingly more complex.
With new laws and guidelines emerging frequently — from cross-border business policies to shifting geopolitical dynamics — organizations must constantly monitor their activities, update their practices and processes, seek to understand what’s changed and why, and integrate new regulations to mitigate penalties and fines.
The traditional approach for relying on static, one-time training sessions is no longer sufficient. Compliance teams along with human resources (HR), risk management, and operational professionals must identify new ways to integrate compliance knowledge into everyday processes. This way, their employees can remain updated and ready to respond to new risks.
4 Trends in the Future of Compliance Training
To keep pace with these demands, organizations must adopt forward-thinking strategies that meet today’s requirements while preparing for future challenges. Let’s examine four compliance training trends to expect in the upcoming new year:
1. Microlearning will dominate compliance training.
Content creation is deeply connected to dopamine-driven rewards and the demand for quick, easily consumable experiences. Microlearning and on-demand training modules are set to become the gold standard for delivering compliance content. This involves breaking down training content into small, digestible segments, typically between 5-10 minutes, that employees can access at their convenience.
Microlearning in training can help:
- Improve employee retention and engagement. Shorter bursts of training can improve learner interest and learning stickiness. Microlearning can cater to busy schedules by giving employees the flexibility to learn on the go. This methodology can be effective and easily adaptable for your workforce.
- Reduce training fatigue. Microlearning can also help mitigate training fatigue, because it can allow employees to consume learning content at their own pace and time.
- Integrated analytics. Learning leaders can also track progress more easily and tailor future training to target skills gaps. This can give compliance officers more precise insight into areas where additional reinforcement may be needed.
2. Learning in the flow of work will become standard practice.
Compliance training is evolving from standalone sessions to being seamlessly integrated into employees’ daily workflows. This just-in-time learning approach can deliver compliance guidance at the moment employees need it.
This way, training is contextually relevant and immediately applicable. Traditional compliance training is often not based on real-world applications, which is why so many employees can feel disconnected from the content.
Learning in the flow of work can help:
- Ensure relevance. Embedding training directly into the tools and processes employees use can ensure compliance guidance is delivered when it’s most relevant. For example, as an employee submits an expense report, they might receive a brief reminder about anti-bribery policies. This real-time approach can improve retention because the training is linked to tasks employees are already performing.
- Reinforce learning. Training in the flow of work can also reduce the need for lengthy, disruptive training sessions, ensuring compliance knowledge is reinforced at critical moments. This approach enhances the practical application of compliance principles, as employees are reminded of key policies precisely when they are needed.
- Create a culture of compliance. Compliance should be seen not as a separate function but as an integral part of day-to-day operations. For industries that face frequent regulatory updates or deal with high compliance risk, embedded training can help maintain high standards without overburdening employees.
3. Cybersecurity awareness training will be prioritized.
As data privacy regulations become more stringent and cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations will continue to emphasize comprehensive cybersecurity and privacy training. This training will be critical for information technology (IT) professionals, as well as all employees who handle sensitive data or interact with online systems.
Prioritization of cybersecurity awareness can help:
- Promote cyber-awareness. The rise in remote work has heightened the risk of cyberattacks, making robust cybersecurity practices a critical part of any organization’s compliance strategy. Laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have already set strict standards for data protection. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties. Employees across all departments must understand their role in protecting sensitive information. And the potential consequences of failing to comply with privacy regulations.
- Mitigate cyber-risks. Cybersecurity and privacy training must be ongoing and updated frequently to keep pace with evolving threats. This will require collaboration between compliance officers, information technology (IT) teams, and HR departments to ensure every employee, from entry-level staff to leadership, understands their responsibilities. The consequences of failing to implement this type of training effectively can include regulatory fines and significant reputational damage if data breaches occur.
- Close cybersecurity skills gaps. Organizations must provide employees with the tools and knowledge to recognize phishing attempts, safeguard personal devices, and follow proper data handling procedures. Cybersecurity awareness training can help close these skills gaps, giving employees the expertise to handle these types of situations.
Cybersecurity is no longer confined to IT alone. It’s now a shared responsibility across all corners of an organization.
4. Third-party risk management will be a core focus.
As organizations increasingly rely on third-party vendors and suppliers, managing third-party risk will become an integral part of compliance training. Ensuring vendors comply with regulations and ethical standards will be a critical area of focus — especially in industries with complex supply chains.
Third-party risk management training can help:
Manage vendor accountability. New regulations, like the German Supply Chain Act, place greater accountability on companies for the actions of their third-party vendors. This has increased the compliance burden, extending beyond internal operations to encompass suppliers, partners, and contractors within the broader ecosystem. Third-party risk management is becoming a regulatory necessity. Moving forward, organizations must train employees to assess and manage these risks effectively. Compliance officers, learning and development (L&D) leaders, procurement teams and legal departments must work closely to ensure all third-party relationships are compliant with relevant laws. This includes training employees to conduct thorough due diligence, perform regular audits, and maintain detailed documentation of third-party agreements.
Technology will play a crucial role here, with organizations needing systems to monitor vendor compliance in real-time. Effective training in this area can help ensure all employees understand the complexities of third-party relationships and the associated risks.
Final Thoughts
The future of compliance training predicts integrated, flexible, and responsive solutions that meet the evolving needs of a complex regulatory environment. Microlearning, embedded training, enhanced cybersecurity focus, and third-party risk management will all be critical areas of focus as organizations strive to maintain compliance and mitigate risk.
By adopting these forward-thinking approaches, organizations can foster a culture of continuous compliance and ethical decision-making.
By trainingindustry.com