Why Simulating Phishing Attacks Is the Best Way to Train Employees

Despite advancements in cybersecurity tools, human vulnerability remains the weakest link, with phishing among the most dangerous forms of social engineering. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) identifies phishing as the most commonly reported type of cybercrime, with around 300,000 incidents in 2023 alone resulting in financial losses exceeding $18.23 million. 

Even employees are aware of these risks, even if they lag when it comes to actually ensuring the integrity of their data and access credentials. A recent industry survey found that 71% of working adults have admitted to risky behaviour, which can include reusing or sharing a password, clicking on links from unverified sources, or giving credentials to untrustworthy websites or apps. Virtually all of these people engage in risky behaviour with full knowledge of the dangers involved.

This discrepancy between awareness and action is therefore a significant challenge. It is essential to train employees ...