Enhanced Phishing Training: Dealing with Today's Threats

If you’ve been involved in a phishing scenario where the attack was successful, it’s pretty hard to gain a sense of trust when plugging in a device to the office network, right?

No pressure, but the first line of defense against these attacks are the employees. 

Sure, advancements in security technology do help, but the human factor is (and always will be) a team's biggest asset. Having employees at the forefront of understanding a phishing attack and being able to spot it a mile away will make the difference in shutting a phish down versus dealing with the aftermath of a successful phishing intrusion.

How do you get your team prepared? We’re so glad you asked!

Crafting the Right Training Programs

1. Personalized Learning Paths

• Adaptive Learning: By determining each teammate's level of cyber understanding, this ensures that all employees, regardless of catching a phish immediately to hand holding, receive training that is neither too basic nor too advanced.
• Scenario-Based Learning: Use realistic scenarios that employees might encounter in their daily work. These can be delivered through case studies, discussions, and problem-solving exercises to make the learning experience have a stronger connection and fewer yawns.

2. Content for Your Audience

• Content-For-All Training: Different departments will usually face the same phishing threats. Training delivered to the highest level, all the way to the newest intern, addresses the specific challenges faced by various roles within the organization.
• Cultural Relevance: We’re not saying use the latest TikTok craze to stay relevant, but consider the cultural context of your workforce. Training materials should be relatable and resonate with employees.

3. Continuous Education and Reinforcement

• Regular Updates: The cyber threat landscape is constantly changing, and your team should be ready at all times. Whether it’s through emails, additional training, or the occasional alert via the company’s messenger, employees should always stay in the digital loop.
• Ongoing Campaigns: Phishing training shouldn’t be a one-time event. Implement continuous education campaigns to reinforce key concepts and keep cybersecurity top of mind.

Building a Cyber-Aware Culture

1. Leadership Involvement

• Lead by Example: Lest we forget, anyone in the workplace is vulnerable. Encourage higher-ups to participate in phishing training. Having their involvement shows that all team members need to stay safe, even the people in the corner offices.
• Communicate the Why: Communicate the reasons behind phishing training. When employees understand the potential impact of a successful attack, they are more likely to take the training seriously. NOTE: No scare tactics or loud sirens, please.

2. Encourage Open Communication

• Report and Share: Create a system where employees can easily report suspected phishing attempts without fear of being shut down. Sharing information about these attempts helps improve the organization’s overall security posture.
• Celebrate Success: Acknowledge and celebrate employees who successfully identify and report phishing attempts. Recognition can boost morale and reinforce positive behaviors.

Empowered Employees = Secured Future

These malicious tactics aren’t stopping any time soon, and with daily advancements in the digital sphere, phishing attacks will only continue to evolve and will soon be next to impossible to spot. A well-informed and vigilant workforce will always be your frontline in the ever-ongoing Phishing battle. Phishing training needs to be more than just a check-off on a manager’s “To-Do” list. 

It’s time to get your team trained, action-ready, and ready to stop any phishing attack dead in its tracks.