The click-rate metric flashes on your screen: 35%. A wave of frustration washes over you. Despite all the policies and annual training, over a third of your employees just fell for your simulated phishing email. The classic response? A stern company-wide reminder, mandatory re-training for the "clickers," and perhaps even naming and shaming.
This approach is not just ineffective; it's harmful. It breeds resentment, fear, and a culture where employees hide their mistakes. The goal of a phishing simulation isn't to catch people failing—it's to teach them how to succeed. This article outlines a strategy for building a phishing training program that empowers your employees instead of punishing them, turning your human layer from a liability into your strongest asset.
The Philosophy: Shift from Compliance to Education
Before you send a single test email, you must reframe the entire purpose of the exercise.
The Wrong Mindset: "We need to find out who the weak links are and force them to comply."
The Right Mindset: "We are creating a continuous learning environment where it's safe to practice and fail in a controlled setting. Every click is a learning opportunity."
Your employees are not a security problem to be solved; they are your first line of defense. Treat them as such.
Phase 1: Preparation and Strategy – Laying the Foundation
A successful program is built long before the "Send" button is pressed.
- Get Leadership Buy-In and Communicate Transparently
Why: If the CEO and leadership team are onboard and participating openly, it signals that this is a priority for the entire company, not just a "gotcha" tactic from IT.
How: Announce the program before it starts. Explain the why: "We are launching a continuous security awareness program to help all of us better protect our company and each other from real threats. This includes periodic simulated exercises."
- Define Clear, Positive Goals What does success look like? Avoid vanity metrics like "lower click-rate" as the primary goal.
Primary Goal: Increase the number of employees who report suspicious emails (even if they are simulated).
Secondary Goal: Create a culture of shared vigilance where employees discuss and question unusual emails.
- Choose the Right Tool and Scenarios
Start Easy: Your first campaign should not be an advanced, polymorphic masterpiece. Use a classic, well-known template (e.g., a fake DocuSign request, a fake password expiration notice). The goal of the first test is to introduce the concept and give people an early win.
Gradually Increase Difficulty: As the program matures, introduce more sophisticated lures that mimic current real-world threats, like vendor impersonation or QR code phishing ("quishing").
Ensure a Safe Landing Page: When someone clicks, they should never see a giant "YOU FAILED!" message. Instead, redirect them to a friendly, immediate teaching moment.
Phase 2: Execution – The "Teaching Moment" in Action
This is the most critical phase. The user's experience the moment they interact with the test defines the entire program's tone.
The Ideal User Journey:
Employee receives a realistic-looking phishing email.
Employee is suspicious and reports it using your established reporting tool (e.g., the "Report Phish" button in Outlook). → This is a major win! They should receive immediate positive reinforcement.
Employee clicks the link. They are redirected to a short, engaging landing page.
The landing page does NOT say "You failed." It says: "This was a simulated phishing test. Good job being cautious! Here’s one tip on what to look for in a similar real email..." It then provides a 60-second micro-lesson with a screenshot of the email and a highlighted red flag (e.g., the sender's address, the urgent language).
The lesson is skippable. Respect their time. The goal is awareness, not forced detention.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
Security Awareness Training
body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; padding: 50px; }
🛡️ Phishing Simulation Exercise
This was a test email from the [Your Company] Security Team.
You've helped us practice our defenses. Thank you!
🔍 What to look for:
The sender's address was 'support@security-department.com' instead of our official '@yourcompany.com' domain.
Dismiss | Learn more about phishing
Phase 3: Post-Test Analysis and Follow-Up – Building a Culture
The work doesn't stop after the simulation ends. This is where culture is built.
- Analyze the Data, Not to Punish, but to Teach
Look for departments with higher click rates. This indicates a need for targeted support, not reprimand.
Identify trends: Are people falling for a specific type of lure? This data should inform your next company-wide security communication.
- Provide Positive Reinforcement and Share Stories
Company-Wide Email: "Last week, we ran a phishing simulation. We want to give a huge shout-out to the 65% of you who reported the email correctly! For those who interacted with it, you've already completed a short training. Let's aim for 70% next time!"
Celebrate Reporters: Consider small rewards (e.g., public recognition, company swag) for employees who consistently report phishing attempts, both simulated and real.
- Offer Optional, Engaging Training
Mandatory, hour-long training modules are often seen as a punishment. Instead, offer short, voluntary "Lunch & Learn" sessions or provide a library of engaging, short video content.
Focus on empowerment: Frame it as "Learn how to protect yourself and your family at home too."
- Integrate Reporting into Daily Life
Make reporting real phishing emails dead simple. The "Report Phish" button is essential.
When someone reports a real phishing email, thank them publicly (anonymously if they prefer) and use it as a real-world example for the entire company.
A Note on Tools and Automation (The "How")
While the strategy is key, you need tools to execute it. Many Security Awareness and Phishing Simulation platforms exist (e.g., KnowBe4, Cofense, Proofpoint Security Awareness). When evaluating, ensure they support:
Positive, immediate landing pages that you can customize.
Easy reporting integration (e.g., an Outlook add-in).
Detailed analytics that focus on reporting rates and trends, not just shaming clickers.
A library of templates and micro-training videos.
You can also build a simple simulator with internal tools.
python
A highly simplified conceptual example of a phishing test tracker
This is NOT a production-ready script.
import sqlite3
from datetime import datetime
class PhishingCampaign:
def init(self, campaign_name, target_group):
self.campaign_name = campaign_name
self.target_group = target_group
self.sent_date = datetime.now()
self.results = [] # List to store user, action (click/report), timestamp
def record_action(self, user_email, action):
"""Record a user's action (click or report)"""
result = {
'user': user_email,
'action': action, # e.g., 'clicked', 'reported'
'timestamp': datetime.now()
}
self.results.append(result)
print(f"Recorded: {user_email} - {action}")
Simulate
campaign = PhishingCampaign("Q1 Vendor Impersonation Test", "all_employees")
campaign.record_action("anna@company.com", "reported") # This is a win!
campaign.record_action("john@company.com", "clicked") # This is a training opportunity
Conclusion: Your Employees Are Your Allies
The difference between a demotivating phishing test and an empowering one boils down to respect and intent. Are you testing your employees to catch them, or are you training them to protect themselves and the company?
By fostering a blame-free culture of continuous learning, you transform security from a top-down enforcement chore into a shared responsibility. You will not only see your metrics improve but also build a resilient human firewall that is engaged, vigilant, and proud to be your first line of defense. Remember, the goal isn't a perfect score; it's a more secure organization. More info for bfd.cards
Top comments (1)
Leadership involvement and transparent communication set the tone for continuous learning, turning simulated phishing tests into positive growth opportunities rather than punitive exercises.