Phishing Awareness: How to Train Your Employees Effectively

Understanding the Phishing Threat

Phishing attacks have evolved far beyond obvious Nigerian prince emails. Modern phishing campaigns are sophisticated, targeted, and increasingly difficult to detect:

• Spear phishing: Targeted attacks using personal information about the recipient
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): Impersonation of executives or vendors to authorise fraudulent payments
• Smishing: Phishing via SMS messages
• Vishing: Voice phishing via phone calls
• QR code phishing: Malicious QR codes that lead to credential harvesting sites

"91% of cyber attacks begin with a phishing email. Training employees to recognise and report phishing is one of the most effective security investments an organisation can make." — Australian Cyber Security Centre

Elements of Effective Training

Regular, Ongoing Training

One-time training isn't enough. Security awareness must be reinforced regularly. Monthly micro-training sessions (5-10 minutes) are more effective than annual hour-long sessions. Keep content fresh and relevant to current threats.

Simulated Phishing Campaigns

Theory alone doesn't change behaviour. Regular phishing simulations give employees hands-on experience identifying threats in a safe environment. Track metrics over time to measure improvement.

Simulation Best Practices

• Start with easier scenarios and gradually increase difficulty
• Vary phishing techniques (urgency, curiosity, fear, authority)
• Provide immediate feedback when employees click or report
• Focus on learning, not punishment
• Target specific teams with relevant scenarios (finance receives invoice-themed phishing)

Clear Reporting Procedures

Make it easy to report suspicious emails. Implement a "report phishing" button in your email client. Celebrate reports even when they turn out to be legitimate emails—you want employees to err on the side of caution.

Teaching Employees What to Look For

Red Flags in Emails

• Urgency or threats: "Your account will be closed unless..."
• Unexpected attachments: Especially from unknown senders
• Suspicious links: Hover to check the actual URL destination
• Generic greetings: "Dear Customer" instead of your name
• Grammar and spelling errors: Though sophisticated attacks often avoid these
• Mismatched sender information: Display name doesn't match email address
• Requests for sensitive information: Passwords, payment details, personal data
• Too good to be true: Unexpected refunds, prizes, or opportunities

Creating a Security-Aware Culture

Technical training is important, but culture determines whether employees apply what they learn:

1. Lead from the top: Executives should visibly participate in training
2. No blame culture: Employees who click should feel safe reporting immediately
3. Recognise good behaviour: Celebrate employees who report phishing attempts
4. Make it relevant: Show how security protects employees' jobs, not just the company
5. Keep it engaging: Use varied formats—videos, games, discussions