How do you simulate phishing attacks to improve security awareness?

Effectively combating phishing demands a blend of technology, user education, and proactive security measures. Key strategies: - Educate on common tactics about phishing tactics, like email spoofing and malicious links. - Deploy systems to detect and block phishing threats before reaching inboxes. - Use cutting-edge tech for in-depth email content and sender behavior analysis to flag suspicious messages. - Integrate ongoing security training, including simulated phishing exercises, to enhance user response skills.

Using simulated phishing attacks can be an effective way of reducing phishing risks IF it is correctly managed, meaning: - it’s presented as exercises, not “tests” - it’s regularly performed (at least every 28 days) - scenarios are relevant to the organisation’s context - a feedback is provided immediately when people fail or report them - we provide the right training and contextual cues to the users so they are equipped to detect and report phishing emails - we measure it correctly and adapt when needed

Prepare, Simulate, Strengthen! 🎣🛠 I'd simulate phishing attacks to enhance security awareness by first explaining their purpose: to test and improve the organization's readiness against real phishing attempts—plan by identifying objectives and crafting realistic scenarios. Execute the simulation carefully, ensuring that it does not compromise employee trust or security. Evaluate by analyzing engagement and response rates and providing feedback and training where needed. Prevent future attacks by educating employees on identifying and responding to phishing attempts.

To improve security awareness with simulated Phishing: 1. Send Fake Phishing Emails: Create and send realistic but fake emails to test employees. 2. Monitor Actions: Track who opens these emails and clicks on any links. 3. Give Instant Feedback: If someone falls for a fake email, immediately explain how to spot such scams. 4. Post-Simulation Training: Hold sessions to discuss recognizing and handling phishing emails. 5. Regular Drills: Frequently run these tests to keep everyone sharp and aware. This approach helps employees learn to identify and react correctly to phishing attempts, enhancing workplace security.

Invest your resources in phishing-resistant security keys and updated endpoints. New technology will only enable threat actors to create better and better campaigns, and the defenders need to invest in technology that will protect users.

O planejamento é essencial para uma campanha de phishing de sucesso. Comece com os alertas básicos que indicam e-mail phishing e vá aos poucos adicionando outros sinais, menos óbvios, para que os usuários mantenham a postura de desconfiança e saibam como agir quando tiverem dúvidas sobre a veracidade de um e-mail.

This is a tricky one, because when you inform people what you are about to do - they are likely to prepare and be alert. The whole point of reducing the risk of falling prey to phishing emails is to help people become more mindful when they are distracted, stressed or too eager. In sum, when they are not prepared. What I find missing in phishing simulation awareness campaigns is the storytelling and the emotional part of why people fall. The more you make it about people's day to day life challenges, and less about the cyber element - the better they will understand their own contribution in behaviour that increases the risk.

Phishing simulations have proven to be most effective when they are relevant and specific to the individual. For example, using the name of the organisation they work for, or even references specific to their department. Providing them with training simulations that reflect phishing emails or messages that they are likely to receive as similarly as possible will get them to engage better as they will think "I've seen this before" and think twice if they ever come across an attack.

Any vendor who guarantees you 100% success rate in preventing phishing attacks, is a scam. Because you will always have a risk of people falling prey to emails, especially with generative AI writing these in such a way that is almost impossible to tell the difference. You can however reduce the risk through behavioural awareness and education campaigns, through emotional intelligence trainings and through immersive training experiences. Often we forget that we need not only our intellect to change behaviour, but also the feeling of wanting to change so it can last.

In my opinion we need to make the humans PRRRO P: Alters the Psychology by automating and gamifying the learning experience. R: Build Risk-profiles at an individual, departmental and org wide level. R: Enables real-time Reporting. R: Remediate incidents in real-time, when real attacks strike. O: Orchestrate auto-blacklisting across all cyber investments. This approach will help to safeguard the organizations and inculcate a culture of Zero Trust.

Wouldn't you like to know. 😉. But seriously, it's extremely targeted, as it should be. No spelling or grammar errors and I take the liberty to make them as real as possible with the lessons learned being as informational and engaging as possible.

I observed that "simulate phishing attacks" is often seen as a tick-box for companies. You have to run those, but you don't take it serious. Following scenario: 1) Test phishing mail arrives 2) Recipient reports a phishing attack (good) 3) Many others do so, too 4) IT Security is not responding to those reports (since it's just a test) So, if you do those tests, then like a fire-drill.