Top 10 Phishing Awareness Training Solutions
Discover the best phishing awareness training solutions to protect your employees' inboxes. Explore features such as multi-media content libraries, gamification and phishing simulations.
Written by
Caitlin Harris
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
Adaptive Security demonstrates AI social engineering threats through audio deepfake simulations and creates fully custom training modules matched to your risk profile with GenAI content builder.
ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training improves retention across skill levels through gamified role-playing scenarios and enables real-world suspicious email reporting via Office 365 plugin directly from inbox.
TitanHQ Security Awareness Training triggers just-in-time training automatically when users exhibit risky behavior while managing campaigns across multiple client tenants through a single portal.
[PRODUCTS (10): Phished, Adaptive Security, ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training, TitanHQ Security Awareness Training, IRONSCALES, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint Security Awareness Training, Cofense PhishMe, Infosec IQ, KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training] [MATCH: 10 products]
Phishing awareness training is where security culture either builds momentum or stalls completely. The difference between programs that change behavior and programs that waste time is execution quality. The wrong platform leaves employees checking boxes on mandatory training they’ll forget by next week. Choose well and employees catch threats before they land in inboxes.
We evaluated 10 phishing awareness training platforms for simulation quality, content depth, behavioral change evidence, reporting accuracy, and how they actually drive participation. What we found: most platforms look similar until you examine engagement rates and whether employees actually remember what they learned. Some excel at gamification and behavioral science. Others focus on compliance checkbox completion. The platforms that move the needle combine automated campaigns with follow-up training tied directly to simulation failures.
This guide cuts through the marketing to show you which platforms build genuinely phishing-resistant workforces versus those that just generate compliance reports.
Our Recommendations
We found these platforms use different engagement models to drive behavioral change. Pick based on your deployment model, user sophistication, and integration requirements.
- Best For Training Against AI-Powered Threats: Adaptive Security demonstrates deepfake audio, video, voice, and text attacks from one platform with AI content creator building custom scenarios matched to your business.
- Best For Gamified Training That Changes Behavior: ESET uses RPG-style modules with role-playing scenarios and Office 365 plugin for real-world suspicious email reporting directly from inbox.
- Best For MSP Multi-Tenant Management: TitanHQ triggers just-in-time training automatically when users exhibit risky behavior while single portal manages campaigns and reporting across multiple client tenants.
- Best For AI-Driven Detection and Training Together: IRONSCALES auto-classifies suspicious emails with Themis AI and improves continuously through tuning while one-click Outlook reporting connects user awareness to detection improvement.
- Best For Adaptive Training at Enterprise Scale: Hoxhunt scales simulations to individual user skill levels automatically with real-time feedback on reported emails reducing manual SOC triage.
Phished is a security awareness training platform built around phishing and SMishing simulations, micro-learning modules, and behavioral risk scoring. It targets SMBs and mid-market teams that need a low-admin way to build a more phishing-resistant workforce.
Automated Simulations With a Brain Behind Them
Where most phishing simulation tools require manual campaign scheduling, Phished handles this autonomously. It generates simulation content, sets its own cadence, and assigns each user a Behavioral Risk Score based on how they interact with threats over time.
We found the micro-learning approach works well here. Short modules with built-in checkpoints keep completion rates up. When someone fails a simulation, the follow-up feedback is immediate and specific, explaining exactly what the red flags were. That closed feedback loop is where the real learning happens.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the platform earns its keep quickly, with awareness improvements that are visible and measurable within the first few months. The near-set-it-and-forget-it automation is a consistent highlight, particularly for smaller security teams without bandwidth for manual campaign management. The Behavioral Risk Score gives admins a clear view of which employees need additional attention.
Some customer reviews mention that the interface feels dated compared to newer platforms in the space, however.
Low-Admin Phishing Awareness That Scales
We think Phished works best for SMB and mid-market teams that need effective phishing awareness without dedicating a full-time administrator to the program. The autonomous scheduling and behavioral risk scoring deliver meaningful data with minimal ongoing effort. Larger enterprises needing deep customization or advanced AI-driven simulations may find the platform lighter than what they need.
Strengths
- Autonomous campaign scheduling eliminates manual phishing simulation management
- Behavioral Risk Score personalizes training based on individual employee performance
- Gamified micro-learning modules keep training sessions short and engaging
- Integrates with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for broad email coverage
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that the interface feels clunky and dated compared to newer competing platforms
- According to some user reviews, Google Workspace and Okta integrations take longer than expected to configure
Adaptive Security is an AI-native phishing simulation platform built around next-generation social engineering threats. The platform uses generative AI to create tailored simulations covering deepfake audio, video, voice, and email phishing. Backed by over $50 million in funding from investors including OpenAI and a16z, it targets the threat vectors that traditional awareness platforms overlook.
Training Built Around Threats That Actually Exist Now
Adaptive uses generative AI to build simulations that go beyond standard phishing emails. We found the audio deepfake simulations particularly sharp: they create realistic impersonations of employees to demonstrate exactly how AI-powered social engineering works in practice. That makes the training land differently than a generic click-the-link test.
The GenAI content builder lets you construct custom modules from scratch, tailored to your industry and employee risk profiles. Automated enrollment and reminders run through Slack and email, so the admin overhead stays low once the program is running.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently highlight fast deployment, with M365 and Google Workspace connections coming together in days rather than weeks. The DMI-based Outlook integration gets specific praise for avoiding false positives caused by email gateway link scanning. Support is responsive and ships frequent updates that keep simulation content current with evolving threats.
Some users note that reporting exports lack the flexibility needed for executive stakeholder presentations, however.
Worth the Early Adopter Bet
We think Adaptive is the right call if deepfakes and AI-generated threats are already on your risk register. Based on our review, it moves faster than most vendors in this space and the customization depth is real.
Strengths
- Audio deepfake simulations demonstrate AI social engineering in a way employees remember
- GenAI content builder creates fully custom modules matched to your risk profile
- DMI-based Outlook integration avoids false positives from email gateway scanning
- Automated Slack and email reminders reduce ongoing admin overhead significantly
- Fast M365 and Google Workspace setup with strong customer support response times
Cautions
- Some users report that reporting exports lack flexibility for stakeholder presentations
- International functionality is limited for some non-US office locations
ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training combines gamified learning modules with phishing simulation tools designed for organizations that need engaging, audit-ready training. The platform uses role-playing scenarios, interactive quizzes, and real-life phishing examples to improve retention across technical and non-technical staff.
Gamification That Actually Changes Behavior
We found the training module design stands out for making security education stick. Role-playing scenarios, quizzes, and real-life phishing examples give employees something more engaging than a slide deck. The gamification approach works particularly well for organizations where training completion rates have historically been a problem.
The Office 365 plugin is a practical addition. It lets employees report suspicious emails directly from their inbox, which closes the loop between training and real-world threat response. Phishing simulation templates are pre-built but customizable, and you can group users for targeted campaigns based on role or risk level.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the training content is current and relevant, with interactive modules that hold attention across technical and non-technical staff alike. The phishing simulation exams draw consistent praise for helping employees recognize threat patterns rather than just pass a test. Implementation is fast, with teams reporting full deployment in a short timeframe.
Some customer reviews mention that the user assignment dashboard has a learning curve before admins feel comfortable managing course assignments, however.
Built for Regulated Environments
Based on our review, ESET fits organizations that already trust the ESET brand and want awareness training that connects naturally to their broader endpoint security posture. If you’re in a regulated sector and need auditable training records with phishing simulation coverage, this checks the right boxes.
We think it’s less suited for teams that need deep AI-driven customization or global multi-jurisdiction deployments. But for US-focused, compliance-driven programs, the content quality and simulation tools are genuinely solid.
Strengths
- Gamified modules with role-playing scenarios improve retention across all skill levels
- Office 365 plugin enables real-world suspicious email reporting directly from the inbox
- Pre-built phishing simulation templates reduce campaign setup time significantly
- User grouping allows targeted simulations based on role or department risk level
- Fast implementation with training completion achievable in a short timeframe
Cautions
- Some users mention that the user assignment dashboard has a learning curve during initial setup
- Custom email template creation requires technical skills beyond basic administration
TitanHQ Security Awareness Training is built for MSPs and larger enterprises managing cybersecurity training across multiple client environments. The platform combines automated phishing simulations, real-time awareness training, and a single management portal designed for multi-tenant operations.
Real-Time Training Triggered by Actual Risk Behavior
The standout capability here is just-in-time training. When a user engages in risky behavior, the platform automatically delivers a relevant training module immediately. We found this approach more effective than scheduled training alone because it connects the lesson directly to the behavior.
SCORM integration gives MSPs flexibility to upload custom materials alongside the built-in video and quiz content. A single management portal handles campaigns, users, and reporting across all client tenants, which reduces the admin overhead that comes with managing multiple deployments.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers running MSP operations consistently highlight the low ongoing admin overhead. Once campaigns are configured and scheduled, the platform handles automation without requiring constant attention. Multi-tenant management through a single portal saves significant time across client environments.
Some users note that support response times can be inconsistent, with some tickets sitting unresolved for extended periods, however.
The Right Tool for the MSP Model
Based on our review, TitanHQ makes most sense if you’re an MSP standardizing security awareness training across a client base. The automated scheduling, multi-tenant portal, and just-in-time training combine to deliver strong coverage with minimal ongoing effort per client.
We think organizations running a single internal program will find the value proposition less obvious. But if your team manages training for multiple organizations, the operational efficiency is hard to beat at this price point.
Strengths
- Just-in-time training triggers automatically when users exhibit risky behavior
- Single portal manages campaigns, users, and reporting across multiple client tenants
- SCORM integration allows custom training materials alongside built-in content
- Automated campaign scheduling reduces ongoing admin workload significantly
- Affordable price point suited to MSPs managing SMB clients at volume
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that support response times are inconsistent, with some tickets unresolved for extended periods
- Some users have noted that M365 tenant setup is slower than competitors for multi-client deployments
IRONSCALES combines AI-powered email security with phishing simulation and awareness training in a single platform. The Themis AI engine auto-classifies suspicious emails while the training side runs simulations and remedial content, giving small security teams a consolidated approach to phishing defense.
Themis AI Does the Heavy Lifting
The platform’s Themis AI engine auto-classifies suspicious emails and improves as you tune it. We found the combination of automated detection and one-click user reporting particularly effective: employees flag suspicious emails directly from Outlook, Themis processes them, and the feedback loop strengthens detection over time without manual intervention.
Setup is genuinely fast.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently highlight the time savings from consolidated email management. Having phishing detection, simulation, and training in one portal rather than navigating layered alert systems draws repeated praise from security teams. The Themis AI engine earns positive feedback for catching threats that native email security misses.
Some customer reviews mention that interface navigation takes getting used to, with certain settings buried deeper than expected, however.
One Platform, Two Jobs Done
We think IRONSCALES earns its place if you want phishing protection and awareness training managed together. Based on our review, the Themis AI and training integration genuinely reduce the operational burden on small security teams.
Strengths
- Themis AI auto-classifies suspicious emails and improves continuously with tuning
- One-click Outlook reporting connects user awareness directly to detection improvement
- Surfaces phishing threats that Microsoft Defender with ATP misses
- Phishing simulation and remedial training run from a single integrated console
- Multilingual video training library covers GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, and PII compliance topics
Cautions
- Some customer reviews highlight that interface navigation is scattered, with settings difficult to locate initially
- According to customer feedback, Role permissions force admin access for analysts needing remediation and training management
Hoxhunt is a security awareness platform that uses AI-driven personalization and gamification to train employees on phishing detection and reporting. The platform adapts simulation difficulty to each user’s skill level and supports over 30 languages, making it a strong fit for enterprise teams running global awareness programs.
Adaptive Simulations That Scale With the User
The platform’s AI personalizes phishing simulations based on each user’s skill level, department, and location. As users improve, the simulations get harder. We found this progression model more effective than static difficulty settings, because it keeps experienced users challenged rather than coasting through exercises they’ve already mastered.
Real-time feedback on reported emails reduces SOC workload by automating phishing analysis on the backend, while still giving employees meaningful responses when they flag something. The platform supports over 30 languages, which matters for enterprise teams running awareness programs across multiple regions from a single console.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers describe the gamified approach as making phishing awareness feel rewarding rather than routine. The reward system and progressive difficulty draw positive feedback from end users across skill levels. The Outlook reporting button is consistently praised for making suspicious email flagging simple and fast.
Some users note that the leaderboard system can frustrate field employees or infrequent email users who structurally cannot compete with office-based colleagues, however.
Enterprise Phishing Training With Real Depth
Based on our review, Hoxhunt is a strong fit for global enterprises that need phishing awareness training to land across diverse, multilingual workforces. The adaptive difficulty and SOC integration make it more than a checkbox exercise.
Strengths
- Adaptive difficulty scales simulations to individual user skill levels automatically
- Real-time feedback on reported emails reduces manual SOC triage workload
- Supports 30-plus languages, enabling consistent training across global enterprise deployments
- Progressive reward system drives sustained engagement beyond initial onboarding
- AI personalizes learning paths by department, role, and location
Cautions
- Some users report that missed simulation scoring penalizes employees on leave or when emails fail to deliver
- According to customer feedback, The Outlook integration is desktop-only with no mobile app support for reporting
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training extends the Proofpoint email security ecosystem with phishing simulations, training content, and employee reporting tools. The platform connects directly to Proofpoint’s threat intelligence, letting teams turn real neutralized phishing attempts into live simulation material.
A Template Library That Actually Gets Used
The phishing simulation template library is where this platform earns its keep. We found the depth of pre-built templates, covering phishing, smishing, and USB-based attack scenarios, gives security teams enough variety to run meaningful monthly campaigns without recycling the same content. Templates are customizable, and the platform supports turning real-world neutralized phishing attempts into live simulation material, which is a sharper training tool than generic templates.
The PhishAlarm reporting button and integration with Proofpoint’s heuristic scanning keep the platform connected to your broader email security stack. Training modules run about 15 minutes each and cover multiple formats including video, posters, and infographics.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers running regular phishing campaigns highlight the ease of monthly campaign management, with dedicated account managers helping teams select and schedule appropriate templates. The customer support responsiveness draws consistent positive feedback across team sizes. The template library depth means campaigns stay varied without requiring custom content creation.
Some customer reviews mention that sender email customization is limited, which can reduce simulation authenticity, however.
Strong if You’re Already in the Proofpoint Stack
Based on our review, Proofpoint SAT makes the most sense if your organization already runs Proofpoint for email security. The integration depth and shared threat intelligence are real advantages that standalone tools can’t replicate.
We think MSPs or organizations evaluating it outside the Proofpoint ecosystem will find the per-tenant pricing harder to justify. But for enterprise teams where Proofpoint is already the standard, this extends that investment into employee behavior effectively.
Strengths
- Extensive phishing template library supports varied monthly campaigns without repetition
- Real-world neutralized phishing emails can be converted directly into simulation content
- PhishAlarm reporting integrates with Proofpoint's existing email security scanning pipeline
- Covers phishing, smishing, and USB-based threat simulations from a single platform
- Dedicated account managers support ongoing campaign planning and template selection
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, Sender email customization is limited, reducing simulation authenticity
- Some users mention that per-tenant pricing is expensive for MSPs managing multiple client environments
Cofense PhishMe
Cofense PhishMe goes beyond standard phishing simulation by connecting employee reporting directly to active threat response. The Cofense Reporter button feeds flagged emails into Cofense Triage for analysis and Cofense Vision for organization-wide inbox quarantine, creating a closed loop between training and incident response.
The Reporter Button is Where This Gets Interesting
Most awareness platforms stop at training. Cofense extends into active threat response through the Cofense Reporter button, which lets employees flag suspicious emails with one click, feeding directly into Cofense Triage for analysis and Cofense Vision for inbox-level quarantine across the organization.
We found this closed-loop approach is the real differentiator. An employee reporting a live phishing attempt doesn’t just protect themselves; it triggers remediation across every inbox the same email landed in. The platform uses machine learning trained on reported threats to improve detection over time, which means your employees are actively contributing to SOC intelligence.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers highlight the Reporter button as the feature that gets used most consistently, with minimal friction for end users. The simulation customization and reporting analytics draw positive feedback from security teams tracking awareness program progress over time. The closed-loop connection between reporting and remediation is a consistent differentiator in customer feedback.
Some users note that simulation fatigue becomes a risk when campaigns run on a repetitive cadence without enough content variation, however.
Built for Organizations That Want Active Defenders
We think Cofense PhishMe is the right call if you want awareness training connected to real incident response rather than running as a standalone program. Based on our review, the Reporter-to-Triage-to-Vision pipeline is genuinely differentiated from platforms that only simulate threats.
Strengths
- Cofense Reporter connects employee reporting directly to SOC triage and inbox quarantine
- Machine learning improves phishing detection using real threat data reported by employees
- Customizable simulations allow targeting of specific threat types relevant to your industry
- Compatible with Outlook, Gmail, and IBM Notes across mixed email environments
- Threat intelligence gathered from simulations informs ongoing detection improvements
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that the platform requires continuous maintenance and dedicated staff to administer effectively
- Based on customer reviews, Repetitive simulations cause user fatigue over extended deployments
Infosec IQ
Infosec IQ provides security awareness training with a broad content catalogue covering phishing, ransomware, and social engineering through interactive videos and quizzes. The platform supports deep customization, including uploading organization-specific training materials, and integrates with Outlook for one-click suspicious email reporting.
A Content Library With Real Depth
The training catalogue is broad, covering phishing, ransomware, and social engineering through interactive videos and quizzes. We found the customization options particularly useful: admins can tailor phishing templates and training content to reflect their own environment, and the platform supports uploading custom materials for organizations with specific compliance or sector requirements.
The PhishNotify Outlook plugin lets employees report suspicious emails directly, with flagged threats prioritized for analyst review. Campaign scheduling gives admins precise control over start and stop timing, and the platform integrates with Microsoft Outlook and broader security tooling without significant configuration overhead.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently highlight the depth of training options and the quality of account support, with dedicated contacts making a noticeable difference in how teams extract value from the platform. The Office 365 setup process draws positive feedback for being straightforward, and the content library earns praise for avoiding the AI-generated feel that makes employees tune out.
Some customer reviews mention that the reporting and campaign sections have a steep initial learning curve, however.
Right for Long-Form Awareness Programs
Based on our review, Infosec IQ suits organizations that want a structured, year-long awareness program with consistent content delivery rather than a lightweight simulation tool. The content depth and customization options support mature programs well.
Strengths
- Extensive training catalogue covers phishing, ransomware, and social engineering in depth
- Customizable phishing templates and support for uploading organization-specific content
- PhishNotify Outlook plugin enables one-click reporting with threat prioritization for analysts
- Flexible campaign scheduling with precise start and stop timing controls
- Strong account support with dedicated contacts who actively assist program success
Cautions
- Some users have noted that the reporting and campaign sections have a steep initial learning curve
- Some customer reviews highlight that some admin operations run slow, including delete and notification functions
KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training
KnowBe4 is the largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform on the market. The platform combines an extensive multilingual content library with organizational risk scoring, automated phishing campaigns, and a dedicated customer success model that supports long-term program management.
Content Depth That Covers Every Learning Style
The training library is one of the largest in the awareness space, covering videos, interactive modules, games, and role-specific tracks across multiple languages. We found the breadth of content formats means teams can rotate between learning styles without running out of material, which is where long-running awareness programs usually lose engagement.
KnowBe4’s organizational risk score aggregates individual phishing simulation results into a single metric that gives security teams clear direction on where to focus campaigns. The PhishAlert button integrates directly with email clients for one-click suspicious email reporting. Dedicated customer success managers stay engaged beyond onboarding, providing ongoing campaign guidance and quarterly reviews.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers say the training content is current and relevant, with interactive modules that hold attention across technical and non-technical staff alike. The constantly updated content library and dedicated success managers who stay engaged beyond onboarding draw consistent praise. The organizational risk score gives security teams a clear metric to track program effectiveness over time.
Some users note that campaign setup is time-consuming, with no managed service option to reduce the administrative workload, however.
The Safe Bet for Mid-Market Programs
Based on our review, KnowBe4 is the low-risk choice for organizations that want a proven, well-supported awareness program with the content variety to sustain long-term engagement. The range of free tooling and CSM support model reduces the internal overhead of running the program.
We think organizations looking for cutting-edge AI-driven simulation or a lightweight setup will find other platforms better suited to those needs. But if you want a mature platform with a track record, KnowBe4 earns its market position.
Strengths
- Organizational risk score gives clear, data-driven direction for phishing campaign targeting
- Extensive multilingual content library covers videos, games, quizzes, and role-specific tracks
- Many new Mod Store additions, including deepfake defense training, arrive at no extra cost
- PhishAlert button connects employee reporting directly to the phishing tracking console
- Strong CSM support model with regular check-ins reduces internal program management burden
Cautions
- Some users report that campaign setup is time-consuming, with no managed service option available
- Some users mention that training content feels repetitive after multiple training cycles
Other Security Awareness Training Services
Delivers automated security training based on real phishing attacks.
Offers a comprehensive platform for simulating phishing attacks and providing security awareness training.
Delivers engaging, Hollywood-style micro-learning videos to educate employees about security threats.
Provides security awareness training and phishing simulations as part of its broader cybersecurity education offerings.
Empowers employees to identify and prevent threats with managed phishing campaigns and training.
What To Look For In Phishing Awareness Training
When evaluating solutions, consider these essential criteria:
Simulation Quality and Realism
Do phishing templates reflect actual threat tactics? Can you customize content for your industry? Does the platform support multi-channel simulations (email, SMS, voice)?
Behavioral Change Measurement
How does the platform track actual behavior improvements? Does it correlate training completion with reduced click rates? Can you measure incident reporting improvements?
Content Library Range
How many pre-built training modules are available? Do they cover relevant threats (phishing, ransomware, social engineering, compliance)? Are role-based tracks available?
Automation and Admin Overhead
Can campaigns run on autopilot? How much manual work does ongoing management require? Are reminders and follow-up training automated?
Integration With Existing Tools
Does it connect to your email system for reporting? Can you integrate with SIEM or email security platforms? Does it work with your identity provider?
Reporting and Visibility
Can admins see individual performance and risk scores? Are reports audit-ready for compliance reviews? Can you export data for executive briefings?
User Experience
Are simulations compelling enough that employees actually pay attention? How intuitive is the reporting mechanism for employees to flag suspicious messages? Does gamification drive engagement?
Support Quality
Is vendor support responsive and knowledgeable? Do you get a dedicated CSM or account manager? Is there a user community for peer support?
How We Compared The Best Phishing Awareness Training Solutions
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and awareness training solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Before testing, we mapped the full vendor landscape for phishing awareness training, identifying all active platforms serving SMB through enterprise organizations. We evaluated 10 phishing awareness training platforms across simulation design, content library depth, behavioral change evidence, reporting accuracy, and whether they actually drive employee participation. Each platform was reviewed through hands-on assessment of the admin interface, content delivery, user experience, and customer feedback patterns. We also researched how each platform connects to broader email security and incident response workflows. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. This guide is updated quarterly.
For full details on our evaluation process, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
The Bottom Line
Phishing awareness training separates organizations that catch attacks before they land from those that treat it as a compliance checkbox. KnowBe4 remains the most proven choice for mid-market teams that want extensive content, organizational risk scoring, and strong CSM support. Hoxhunt stands out for global enterprises needing multi-language support and adaptive difficulty that keeps all users challenged. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training is the clear winner if you already run Proofpoint email security—the integration depth and template library are unmatched. Phished fits organizations that want low-admin automation and behavioral risk scoring without complex setup. Adaptive Security earns consideration for teams already managing AI-powered threat simulations. ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training works for regulated environments where audit trails matter. TitanHQ serves MSPs well with multi-tenant capabilities and just-in-time training. IRONSCALES consolidates email security and training for small teams. Cofense PhishMe connects training directly to active threat response when employee reporting is part of your detection strategy. Infosec IQ suits organizations building year-long structured programs. Choose based on whether you prioritize behavior change, compliance documentation, content variety, or integration depth.
FAQs
Phishing Awareness Training Solutions: Everything You Need To Know (FAQs)
Traditionally, phishing emails targeted hundreds or even thousands of recipients at a time. They were designed to trick users into clicking on a URL that would lead to a webpage where they’d be asked to enter personal information. While these types of phishing attack still exist, cybercriminals have adapted their attacks, making malicious phishing messages harder for machines and humans to identify. These more targeted attacks are called “spear phishing”.
Here the attacker impersonates a trustworthy sender and aims to trick their victim into handing over sensitive information (such as account credentials or financial data). Alternatively, the user may be encouraged to click on a malicious link or file that will install malware on their device.
Both spear and regular phishing attacks have key indicators that users can look out for to determine whether an email is genuine or fraudulent.
While spear and regular phishing attacks sent via email are the most common type, there are a few other variants to look out for:
- Vishing (Voice phishing) uses voice calls to trick users; these can be very convincing as the attackers can put pressure on their users in real-time to create a sense of urgency
- SMiShing is the same as phishing, except that the attacker sends their target an SMS text instead of an email
- Whaling targets high ranking, often C-level, members of an organization; these attacks take more effort on the attacker’s part, but the payoff can be much greater
Phishing awareness training teaches users how to spot and react to different types of phishing attacks. As phishing attacks are constantly evolving and phishing risk increases, giving your users a list of phishing emails to avoid won’t be enough to block online attacks. Instead, you need to train them to be vigilant and naturally suspicious of emails that encourage them to act or share details. Phishing awareness training can help you create a culture of security that will encourage this cautious behavior.
Phishing awareness training solutions use content-based training (such as bite-sized videos, infographics, and quizzes) to explain common indicators of compromise (IOCs) and train users on what to look for. This means that when a user encounters a new attack type, they already have the skillset to identify a dangerous message and act accordingly.
Anti-phishing training also teaches users how much damage a successful phishing attack can cause. Without this, it can be hard to understand the significance of something as simple as clicking on a link. When users know what’s at risk, they are more likely to act cautiously.
The best phishing email training solutions also enable you to test your users’ response to a phishing attack by sending them simulations if they experience a failure in a test.
Phishing simulators, or simulations, are fake phishing emails that security teams send to their employees to test how they would react to a real-life phishing attack. They’re usually included in a wider phishing awareness training program that also teaches users (via content-based training) how to identify a threat.
Accurate simulations enable users to apply the knowledge that they’ve gained whilst completing their anti-phishing training course. They also enable admins to identify any users that may be particularly susceptible to phishing attacks and assign those users further training.
Phishing simulation training usually focuses on email phishing and enables IT teams to either choose from a library of out-of-the-box templates or create their own emails that can be tailored to their users and use-case. Some simulators also enable IT teams to carry out SMiShing attacks, but this often comes at an extra cost.
A good phishing awareness program and relevant training is critical for any organization, no matter how big or small you are or what sector you’re operating within. There are four key reasons why we recommend that you train your users on how to behave in response to phishing attacks:
- Reduce your risk of being breached. Social engineering attacks such as phishing are the most likely type of threatto cause a data breach. If you train your users to identify threats, they’ll be less likely to engage with them.
- Identify areas for improvement. Some individuals might require more training than others—either because they find it more difficult to identify phishing attacks, or because they’re working in an area of the business that handles particularly sensitive information, which means they’re more likely to be targeted. With a phishing awareness training solution, you can monitor how users are reacting to simulations and tailor training programs to suit each individual’s needs.
- Ensure compliance with data protection standards. Security awareness training, including phishing awareness training, is a mandatory requirement of many industry and federal compliance standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
- Create a culture of security. Investing in the right phishing awareness training program can show your users you want to help and support them, rather than punish them when they make mistakes. This can help you build a stronger relationship with them, so they’re more likely to come and tell you if they do receive or click on a phishing email, rather than panic and try to cover it up.
Phishing awareness training cultivates a security-first mindset that prioritizes data protection and network security, effewctively supporting human risk management. It does this by providing employees with the knowledge and tools they need to combat phishing attacks. Carefully designed programs teach users how to detect and react to threats so that they can help protect sensitive data, rather than being considered an easy way into an organization’s network.
It’s thanks to powerful training and simulation solutions that recent years have seen a decrease in phishing click rates and an increase in reporting rates, despite the volume of phishing attacks increasing year on year.
There are a number of different phishing awareness training solutions out there, and it can be difficult to know which one is best suited to your needs. The most effective solutions include the following features, so keeping an eye out for these is a good place to start:
- A multi-media content library that’s regularly updated. Note the emphasis on “multi-media”! Your employees will all have individual learning styles, so a variety of materials will make sure that the material is engaging for everyone. And when the library is regularly updated, you can be sure that it will contain information on the newest threats that organizations are facing.
- Customization. It’s important that you can build learning paths or tailor modules to target specific threats that your organization is facing. It’s also important that simulated phishing emails designed to test employees can be customized to mimic the types of emails your employees typically receive.
- Interactivity. Quizzes, tests and gamification are sure-fire ways to increase user engagement which, in turn, increases information retention. This means that your employees will remember what they’ve learned and be much more likely to put it into practice.
- Simulations. You need to be able to test what your employees have learned, and the best way to do this is through simulated phishing emails. Users should report these emails, either through the solution’s inbuilt reporting button (see below) or by contacting their IT desk, but if they don’t, they’ll be directed to a landing page that explains their mistake.
- A “Report Phishing” button. These inbox plugins allow users to report not only simulated phishing emails, but also genuine threats, to their IT department. They’re a quick and easy way to flag suspicious content. The best simulations go a step further, with automated analysis based on reported phishing attempts, and triaging of reported emails. Agari’s 2020 Phishing Incident Response Survey found that 67% of all reported incidents were false positives, i.e. not real threats at all. Automated analysis saves security teams valuable time by separating false positives from genuine threats, then prioritizing these threats.
- Admin reporting tools. The best simulation solutions include admin reporting so that you can see who is falling for simulated threats. This means that you can direct those employees towards specific training materials, and re-test them in future simulations.
Written By
Caitlin Harris is the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. As an experienced content writer and editor, Caitlin helps cybersecurity leaders to cut through the noise in the cybersecurity space with expert analysis and insightful recommendations.
Prior to Expert Insights, Caitlin worked at QA Ltd, where she produced award-winning technical training materials, and she has also produced journalistic content over the course of her career.
Caitlin has 8 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology space, helping technical teams, CISOs, and security professionals find clarity on complex, mission critical topics like security awareness training, backup and recovery, and endpoint protection.
Caitlin also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.