How to conduct effective phishing tests in your organization

In a world where cyber threats are constantly changing and phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, it has become crucial for organizations to take cyber security seriously. A phishing test is an important part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy where employee awareness plays an essential role. In this article, we guide you through how to effectively conduct a phishing test in your organization while building better cyber training and resilience against social engineering attacks.

What is a phishing test and why is it important?

A phishing test is a simulated cyber training or controlled attempt to trick employees with fake emails or messages. The purpose is to discover how well employees identify phishing emails and respond to potential social engineering attempts. By testing the organization's resilience, you gain important insights into the level of security and increase employee awareness.

The benefits of regular phishing tests include:

• Identifying weak links among employees or departments.
• Increased awareness and awareness of cybersecurity.
• Targeted cyber training and employee education.
• Reduced risk of cyberattacks and data loss.

How to plan and conduct an effective phishing test

Conducting a phishing test requires some preparation. Here are some steps to follow to ensure an effective test:

Step 1: Create clear goals and guidelines

The first step is to define clear goals for the test. For example, do you want to map how many employees click on links, provide sensitive information or report suspicious emails properly? Set concrete success criteria so you can measure your progress and assess the impact of your efforts.

Step 2: Create realistic scenarios

Keep in mind that your scenarios should reflect realistic phishing attempts that employees may actually be exposed to. For example, you can simulate:

• Messages from IT support asking employees to reset their passwords.
• Emails from management or HR requesting sensitive information or login data.
• False invoices or erroneous payment notifications targeting the finance department.

Step 3: Inform appropriate people before the test

Your phishing test should be conducted discreetly, but make sure that management or the HR department is informed in advance. This ensures that the test is conducted correctly without causing unnecessary panic. At the same time, you get permission and support from management.

Step 4: Complete the phishing test

Once the scenarios are ready and you're ready to send emails or notifications, schedule when to send out the different scenarios of the test. Make sure to monitor the process and collect data.

Step 5: Analyze the results

Evaluate the results of the test by looking at employee interactions and responses:

• Who clicked on links?
• Who provided the data?
• Who reviewed the email correctly?

This gives a clear picture of the organization's awareness level and the need for additional cyber training.

How to follow up after your phishing test

After completing the phishing test, follow up with relevant actions to further optimize the organization's cybersecurity:

• Give immediate feedback to employees so they learn from the test.
• Organize targeted cyber training for employees who were fooled by the phishing test.
• Update your company's IT policies and procedures if the test revealed specific vulnerabilities.

Our top tips for effective phishing awareness and cyber training

If you want to keep employee awareness levels high, we recommend the following best practices:

• Hold regular awareness workshops and training sessions.
• Share knowledge about new types of phishing attacks and methods used by cybercriminals.
• Create an open culture where it's acceptable to talk about security breaches and challenges.
• Use current and realistic examples in your communication to employees.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about phishing tests

How often should you conduct a phishing test?

We recommend performing a phishing test at least quarterly. Organizations with high cybersecurity risk should consider more frequent testing.

What do I do if an employee repeatedly falls for phishing tests?

In such situations, dedicated cyber training and individual counseling may be needed to increase employee awareness. Make sure to follow up with support and guidance rather than sanctions - this promotes an open culture rather than fear.

How do I best inform my employees about the results of phishing tests?

Give feedback quickly, clearly and constructively. Perhaps use department or team meetings to present general results (without singling out individuals) and supplement with individual follow-up as needed.

Are phishing tests enough to ward off cyber threats?

No, phishing tests should be seen as one element of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. It's important to also have antivirus, firewall, continuous updates and other security initiatives in place.

Take the next step in your cyber security today

An effective phishing test can be crucial for your cybersecurity program and employee awareness. Make sure to schedule and perform tests regularly and follow up with holistic cyber training.

Ready to strengthen your organization against phishing attacks? Contact an expert today and get advice on implementing tailored phishing tests and awareness programs that fit your exact needs!