Glossary
Phishing Simulation
Phishing represents one of the most common tactics used by threat actors. Rather than trying to break through multiple layers of security, a threat actor simply tricks one of your employees into letting them in.
It’s not difficult to see why it’s so widely used.
For one, it’s easy. Even a sophisticated phishing attack typically requires comparatively less time and effort than other vectors, thanks to the availability of phishing attack tools like EvilPhish and Evilginx2.
The low-risk, high-reward technique is also very effective. People, after all, are always going to be the weakest link in any security system. And everyone, from the freshest intern to the most seasoned security professional, makes mistakes.
Hands-on training represents your best defense against phishing, specifically phishing simulations.
What is a Phishing Simulation?
A phishing simulation is a type of cybersecurity training that teaches employees how to deal with real phishing attacks by practicing with fake ones. This generally takes one of two forms:
- Fake Phishing Emails: an organization sends emails to employees containing a fake malicious link. Employees who click the link fail the test.
- Virtual Environments: employees work within a sandboxed phishing simulator such as a virtual lab, where they’re walked through the process of differentiating between legitimate and fake messages.
Why Are Phishing Simulations Important?
The majority of cybercriminals rely on ignorance to ply their craft. The more security-aware your people are, the less likely they are to fall victim to a phishing scam. Phishing simulations support security awareness in several ways.
They help you identify your highest-risk employees and departments, allowing you to develop and deliver targeted education and support. They also help employees develop greater awareness and vigilance. And lastly, they keep everyone in your organization apprised of the latest phishing strategies.
From a big-picture perspective, reducing the success rate of phishing attacks also reduces the chance that your organization will be infected with ransomware or infiltrated by a bad actor.
Best Practices for Phishing Simulations
These best practices will help you run simulations that educate employees, reduce click rates, and build lasting resilience.
Consider Your Organizational Culture
Teaching people how to recognize phishing tactics is only the first step. You also need to teach them how to respond when they fall prey to a phishing scam: namely, that they should immediately notify your security team.
Avoid punishing people for their mistakes. Someone who knows they’ll be severely reprimanded for accidentally clicking on something they shouldn’t is a great deal more likely to sweep the incident under the rug.
Find the Right Tool
Phishing simulators should be easy to use and simple to integrate with your organization’s infrastructure. They should also include analytics functionality along with the ability to customize phishing messages.
Vary Your Tactics
Don’t always send the same style of phishing message or rely solely on a single medium. Real-world phishing attacks may involve multiple touchpoints and stages, including emails, phone calls, and even malicious websites. They may also span a wide range of topics, including:
- Invoice requests
- Human resources updates
- Project management alerts
- Account notifications
Combine Hands-On Education with Practical Guidance
Phishing attacks often succeed due to a lack of awareness. Teach your employees to always think twice about any requests or messages they receive.
For example, let’s say someone receives an unexpected email from their project manager. Have them reach out to their colleague through a secondary channel for confirmation rather than immediately opening the email and clicking the links within.
