What is the number one entry point for cybercriminals worldwide? It is still phishing. According to reports, in 2023, there have been more than 300,000 phishing incidents. These incidents have caused billions of dollars of damage to organizations. And the scary part is that it is not about a technical flaw, but humans making decisions under pressure. A single click on a malicious link, or you may just open an infected attachment. The outcome? Data breaches, ransomware infections, wire fraud, etc.
Launching phishing simulations is one of the most effective ways to fight against phishing attacks, and Cybersecurity Awareness Month offers the perfect timing for the launch. Why is the right time? Because of the high awareness and supportive leadership, framing campaigns as part of a broader cultural shift towards resilience is a lot easier.
A well-timed simulation has big plus points, such as it can reveal real-world vulnerabilities, engage employees in learning, and provide InfoSec managers with actionable data to come up with a strong defense.
Without clear objectives and intention, your phishing simulation may fail to achieve its goal. So, the first step is clarity. You must decide whether your phishing simulation is intended to:
For instance, a company has a strong technical stack, but the employee reporting is not that strong. So, the company may prioritize simulations that encourage staff to detect and escalate suspicious emails without any delay.
Does every department of the organization face the same level of phishing risk? No, they don’t. Have a look at the high-value targets:
Yes, it may be tempting to include everyone. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that role-specific targeting ensures more relevant and realistic scenarios.
Organizations need to determine how broad or narrow the exercise should be. You need to be very clear on whether you want to focus on a single department or test the entire organization with multiple scenarios. Have a look at what the attack types might include:
Organizations must be very clear that phishing simulations aim to educate, not punish. So, you should avoid designs that humiliate employees or create distrust. It is important to always ensure that the purpose is employee security training and growth.
When it comes to engagement, employees are more likely to engage with messages that deal with their daily tasks. So you must put focus on building context-aware scenarios, such as:
Urgency, fear, and authority: These are the most effective psychological tools for cybercriminals. Let’s have a look at some examples:
Your emails should not be just messages; they should look like real phishing attempts. This means you need to ensure the following:
When it comes to timing, awareness Month is the most ideal time. According to research, mid-week mornings are often regarded as the busiest email-checking times. Running campaigns during such peak inbox traffic increases realism and insight.
Executives and managers should receive the brief beforehand. This will ensure that they reinforce the value of the exercise. At the same time, it is crucial to avoid pre-warning employees, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the campaign.
Being a part of the advanced tech era, it is impractical to go for manual delivery and tracking of phishing emails. You can streamline the process by using modern tools like Threatcop TSAT:
You can run smaller test groups first, then roll out company-wide. This can be a great way to refine difficulty levels and messaging before going big.
Insights play a crucial role, as the true value of phishing simulations lies in these insights. So, organizations can’t miss out on these metrics that reveal human-layer risk:
Employees interact with simulated phishing emails, and then they should receive instant guidance. Have a look at an example message:
“This was a phishing simulation. Here’s what you missed: the sender’s address was slightly altered. Next time, look for extra letters in domain names.”
Link simulation results to TLMS microlearning modules. These short, interactive lessons help in improving the recognition skills of the employees. Things like badges, quizzes, and leaderboards keep engagement high.
Reinforcement is essential, as phishing awareness fades without reinforcement. According to experts’ recommendations, quarterly simulations are to build “muscle memory.” Each exercise should increase complexity. It must introduce advanced tactics like reply-chain hijacking or QR-code phishing.
Organizations must start with realistic but lower-stakes attacks before increasing difficulty. The reason? Launching spear phishing simulations that seem like sensitive HR or payroll issues can lead to fear and resentment.
Employees must be aware that these exercises are for their benefit. There needs to be a follow-up after every campaign with clear explanations and resources.
Organizations should use data to update training and adjust controls. And even for technical defense strategies, data can’t be left out.
When it comes to phishing simulations, they aren’t just about testing employees; they’re about empowering them. As organizations start simulating real-world threats, they uncover vulnerabilities, reinforce vigilance, and build resilience at the human layer.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the ideal time. Launching a well-structured phishing simulation now ensures everything from maximum visibility to employee engagement. The benefits extend far beyond October: improved reporting rates, stronger instincts, and a measurable reduction in human-layer risk.
Read for this approach? You can use dedicated tools like Threatcop TSAT to run role-specific simulations, gather data, and connect outcomes with gamified cybersecurity training. As you combine this with TLMS microlearning for reinforcement, you’ll create a cycle of awareness, action, and accountability.
This Awareness Month, give your employees the opportunity to learn safely, so when the real attacks come, they’re ready. For more assistance, you can get in touch with cybersecurity experts!
Director of Growth
Naman Srivastav is the Director of Growth at Threatcop, where he leads customer-facing and product marketing teams. With a self-driven mindset and a passion for strategic execution, Naman brings a competitive edge to everything he does — from driving market expansion to positioning Threatcop as a leader in people-centric cybersecurity.
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