2024 Guide to Boosting Your Phishing Campaigns: Employee Security Awareness Training

Gartner released research on how security awareness training for employees can be more efficient, focusing on phishing simulation campaigns.? This research provided insights into measuring and enhancing the effectiveness of phishing campaigns.?

According to Gartner, to improve the success of your phishing campaign, which is a critical component of cybersecurity awareness training, consider the following strategies:

• Outcome-Oriented Approach: Emphasize reducing the risk and impact of actual phishing emails over time. This involves tracking the number of reported phishing attempts, the diversity of reporters, and the timing of both clicks and reports in your phishing tests in 2024.
• Internal Benchmarking: Focus on your team’s training in simulated phishing tests, assessing those who fall prey to phishing and the nature of the phishing emails used.
• Competitive Element: Encourage behavioral change and bolster organizational security through gamification in your phishing simulation. Recognize and reward employees who successfully identify and report phishing attempts.
• Integration into a Wider Secure Behavior and Culture Program (SBCP): Employ people-centric security principles to evaluate the social context influencing user behavior in phishing test software.
• Displaying Results: Utilize a comprehensive framework to present the outcomes of the phishing campaign to senior management.

According to Gartner, client interactions indicate that click rates are a common metric for evaluating phishing campaigns, though they vary widely. Gartner advises against relying solely on click rates for benchmarking, as these rates are influenced by several factors, including the type of phishing campaign, current events, false positives, the digital proficiency of staff, timing, and the variety of devices used.

While click rates are basic data that require analysis, they are valuable for:

• Monitoring progress by observing initial click rates and their reduction over time in simulated phishing tests.
• Identifying areas needing more focus to minimize risk, such as targeting specific individuals or teams for additional training and identifying the most effective phishing techniques against your organization.
• Fulfilling basic compliance with certain regulations and standards.

Phishing Campaign Best Practices

Gartner outlines four key practices for successful phishing campaigns: focusing on the outcome, concentrating on internal benchmarks, incorporating competitive elements, and integrating into a broader SBCP.

• Focus on the Outcome: Organizations should measure outcome-driven metrics that align with their security and risk strategy. The goal is to assess susceptibility to real-world phishing attacks. Effective campaigns go beyond reducing click rates; timely reporting of phishing attempts is crucial.
• Focus on Yourself: Security and risk management leaders should refine their programs by addressing specific internal questions related to training needs, roles with higher phishing incidents, and the most successful attacks.

• Integrate Into a Broader SBCP: Establish the phishing campaign within a comprehensive SBCP to help employees recognize suspicious emails and understand the importance of the campaign.
• Showcase the Phishing Campaign Results: Link the training and knowledge acquired to behavioral changes, operational outcomes, and business benefits to present to senior executives.

For organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture, selecting the right security awareness training vendors is crucial. These vendors offer comprehensive solutions that include phishing simulation tools or phishing test software, all integral to a robust security awareness training program.Watch our YouTube demo to see how our expertise in phishing awareness training can empower your team to recognize and respond to phishing threats effectively.

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You'll learn how to:

• Initiate a campaign within 5 minutes and see immediate results
• Run phishing campaigns without whitelisting
• Create MFA-phishing, Data submit, Attachment, and Click-only phishing templates in minutes
• Use multiple phishing scenarios randomly delivered to your employees
• Use custom domains and SSL to design phishing templates?
• See our other social engineering simulations like QR code phishing, SMS phishing, MFA phishing, voice phishing, and callback phishing.

FAQ

What Are the Best Practices for Conducting Effective Simulated Phishing Tests in 2024?

To conduct effective simulated phishing tests in 2024, Gartner recommends focusing on outcome-oriented approaches, such as reducing the risk and impact of actual phishing emails. This involves tracking reported phishing attempts, the diversity of reporters, and the timing of clicks and reports. Internal benchmarking, competitive elements, and integration into a broader Secure Behavior and Culture Program (SBCP) are crucial for success.

How Can Organizations Improve Cybersecurity Awareness Training Through Phishing Simulation?

Organizations can enhance cybersecurity awareness training by incorporating phishing simulations focusing on real-world scenarios. This includes using gamification techniques like leaderboards and badges to encourage reporting of phishing attempts and tailoring phishing test software to assess employee responses effectively. Integrating these simulations into a broader security culture program is also essential for comprehensive training.

What Role Does Internal Benchmarking Play in Phishing Campaign Success?

Internal benchmarking plays a significant role in the success of phishing campaigns as part of security awareness training for employees. It involves focusing on the team’s specific training, assessing those susceptible to phishing, and analyzing the nature of phishing emails used. This approach helps identify improvement areas and customize training to address specific vulnerabilities within the organization.

Why Is It Important to Showcase Results from Phishing Tests to Senior Management?

Showcasing the results of phishing tests to senior management is crucial as it links the training and knowledge acquired to behavioral changes and operational outcomes. It demonstrates the business benefits of the security awareness program, highlighting its impact on reducing cybersecurity risks and enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.

How Do Security Awareness Training Vendors Enhance Phishing Campaigns for Organizations?

Security awareness training vendors enhance phishing campaigns by providing comprehensive solutions that include advanced phishing test software and simulated phishing tests. These tools are designed to mimic real-world phishing scenarios, offering a practical and effective training experience. Organizations can ensure their employees are well-prepared to identify and respond to phishing attempts by choosing the right vendor and strengthening their cybersecurity defenses.