A phishing simulation sends employees realistic fake phishing emails. Those who click receive instant coaching instead of suffering real harm.

How it works

1. A safe, simulated phishing email is sent to staff

2. Actions are tracked: opens, clicks, credentials entered, and reports

3. Users who fall for it see a short, friendly learning moment

4. Results guide further training

Benefits

– Realistic practice in a safe setting

– Measurable progress over time

– Identification of high-risk groups that need extra support

– Habit building: people learn to pause and check

– Culture of reporting

Best practices

– Get leadership support and tell staff that simulations will occur

– Start with easy examples and increase difficulty gradually

– Use varied scenarios: delivery notices, password resets, payroll updates, shared documents, and executive impersonation

– Provide immediate, brief training to anyone who clicks

– Celebrate those who report suspicious messages

– Avoid punishment. Fear leads people to hide mistakes, which makes real incidents worse.

– Track the report rate, not only the click rate

– Run them regularly, monthly or quarterly, with varied timing

Things to avoid

– Tricking people with emotionally harmful lures, such as fake bonuses or layoffs

– Publicly naming people who clicked

– Treating simulations as a gotcha

– Running one campaign and stopping

Make reporting easy

Install a “Report phishing” button in your email client so users can flag messages with one click.

Measure improvement

A healthy trend shows falling click rates and rising report rates over time.

Connect to real security

Simulations work best alongside email filtering, MFA, and clear incident procedures.

DBR Soft runs simulation and training programs that build confidence, not fear. Contact us for more information.