Simulated Phishing Attack
A simulated phishing attack is an email that mimics a real-world phishing threat. It is designed to test employees’ skills and knowledge in identifying phishing emails. Those who fail the test are provided with feedback and information on how to avoid being a victim of future phishing attacks. Phishing simulation tests are a vital part of any security awareness program. They help build employee confidence, strengthen cybersecurity practices and make organizations more resilient to cyberattacks.
Often it is recommended that simulated phishing attack be run for each individual at least 6 to 10 times a year. This frequency helps avoid overwhelm and ensures that everyone gets the training they need. However, the frequency of a phishing simulation programme should be determined by the organization as it will depend on its unique needs and training requirements.
When running a phishing simulation, it is essential that you inform your employees of the intention of the training and explain to them why the simulated phishing attack is being carried out. This will make them feel safe and secure and also enable them to participate fully in the training sessions.
What is a Simulated Phishing Attack?
The results of the phishing simulation should be recorded in a report so that you can track any mistakes made by your employees and how they respond to the phishing emails. You can then use this data to help you assess your phishing awareness efforts and identify gaps in the training that may need filling.
As with any other phishing awareness program, the purpose of the phishing simulation test is to teach employees how to detect a phishing email and to report it to the right person in your company. Those who are able to report the email are more likely to be vigilant in their online behaviour and will have a higher chance of being able to spot a phishing threat.
This training can then be followed up by a live phishing attack as a way to practice what they have learnt and to reinforce the message that security is a shared responsibility between all of the individuals in an organisation. Having a central-reporting email address to which employees can report any phishing attempt is important, so that the IT team can respond immediately and help the user to resolve the issue.
The IT department can then notify the rest of the organisation and prevent further attacks from compromising the network. Once the employee has clicked the link or downloaded the attachment, the phishing simulator will monitor their actions and then present them with an online screen that explains what happened, why it was risky and how to avoid such behavior in the future. The screen will also give them a chance to report any suspicious activity and may include a section where they can learn about security best practices.