Phishing simulation: What it is and how to prevent phishing attacks

What is a phishing simulation?

A phishing simulation is a cybersecurity drill that tests how well an organization can spot and respond to phishing attacks. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals use fake emails, texts, or voice messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information (like usernames, passwords, or credit card details), or even sending them money.

The goal of a simulated phishing campaign is simple: simulate a real phishing attack in a safe environment to see who on the team is likely to fall for it and who can spot it. This exercise usually goes hand-in-hand with phishing training, which teaches employees how these attacks work and how to avoid them.

Once you understand phishing simulations, it’s helpful to learn about the different types of phishing attacks they replicate.

What are the main types of phishing?

Hundreds of types of phishing scams are used by cybercriminals, but these five types are the most common:

• Email. In email phishing, a sense of urgency is predominant. Scammers send official-looking emails to multiple recipients, often urging them to change passwords or update account details.
• Smishing. Smishing, or SMS phishing, relies on text messages instead of emails. Scammers send texts designed to look urgent or sometimes even threatening, pushing recipients to respond right away or face consequences. The goal is to trick people into sharing personal information.
• Vishing. Vishing, or voice phishing, happens over the phone, with attackers pretending to be from a legitimate organization. Using fake caller ID info, they pressure victims to reveal sensitive details.
• Spear phishing. Spear phishing is a targeted attack on a specific person or business. Criminals do their homework, digging up personal details about their target to craft personalized emails that are harder to spot as fake.
• CEO fraud. In this tactic, also called business email compromise, cybercriminals impersonate an executive to trick employees into sharing sensitive information or wiring money to a “vendor.”

Why do companies perform a phishing simulation?

Companies run phishing simulations to see how susceptible their teams are to email-based attacks. Phishing is one of the most common tactics hackers use because it targets human vulnerability. Without regular security awareness training, even the most observant employees may be vulnerable to such an attack.

It takes one click on the wrong link to trigger a data breach, fraud, financial loss, and damage to a company’s reputation. That’s why user security awareness initiatives have become essential. Employers use phishing simulations to train their teams on the latest attack methods and protect their businesses from cybercrimes.

An email phishing simulation allows organizations to:

• Spot vulnerabilities. Simulated phishing tests help identify which employees need more awareness training and where security policies need tightening.
• Provide hands-on training. Phishing email simulations give employees real-world practice in spotting phishing attempts without the actual risk.
• Build phishing awareness. Repeated simulations increase security awareness, helping employees stay updated on phishing tactics and how to defend against them.
• Measure improvement over time. Simulations provide clear data to track growth in employee phishing awareness and response, showing the effectiveness of the company’s training efforts.

Why are phishing simulations important?

Phishing simulations have become crucial to any solid security awareness training program. Companies of all sizes are at risk of phishing attacks, and it only takes one unsuspecting click to cause a costly data breach. Phishing simulations matter because they provide:

• Stronger security. Regular simulations prepare employees to recognize and avoid cyber security threats, creating a culture of vigilance that strengthens the company’s overall security.
• Less human error. Human error plays a huge role in phishing attacks. Phishing simulations reduce risk by encouraging employees to think critically and cautiously approach unknown emails.
• Better incident response. Employees who’ve been through phishing simulations know how to handle real phishing attempts, which leads to faster reporting and containment of phishing threats.
• Proof of regulatory compliance. Many regulatory standards require ongoing cybersecurity training. Phishing simulations offer documented proof of these efforts, helping companies stay compliant.

Experts suggest running phishing simulations regularly throughout the year and using different phishing techniques. This consistency helps keep phishing awareness sharp and ensures employees stay alert to evolving threats.

How does a phishing simulation work?

Phishing simulations are typically part of a broader security awareness training program led by IT or security teams. A phishing simulation usually includes the following actions:

1. Planning the simulation. The IT or security team designs a campaign by choosing the type of phishing attempt (such as credential harvesting or malware download) and deciding the timing and frequency. Some companies start with a baseline test before any phishing awareness training to set a benchmark. Others wait until after initial phishing awareness training to see how well employees apply what they have learned.
2. Drafting the emails. With a plan in place, security teams create phishing email mockups that resemble real phishing threats, often modeled on phishing templates available on the dark web. They focus on every detail — subject lines, sender addresses, and content — to make the simulation as realistic as possible.
3. Launching the campaign. Once the setup is complete, the phishing emails are sent to selected employees without warning, mirroring a real phishing attack.
4. Monitoring employee responses. The simulation software tracks how employees interact with the email. Did they click a suspicious link, download an attachment, or report the email as phishing? Every action (or inaction) is recorded for analysis.
5. Analyzing the results. Once the campaign ends, the data is reviewed to see how many employees fell for the phishing attempt, ignored it, or reported it as suspicious.
6. Providing feedback and training. In some cases, employees who fall for the simulated phishing attack are directed to a landing page explaining they’ve been part of a training exercise, with tips on how to spot phishing scams in the future.

After each simulation, companies should pay special attention to measuring and analyzing the results. This step helps identify areas for improvement and flags employees who may need extra phishing awareness training.

How effective are phishing simulations?

Phishing simulations are a powerful tool for boosting employee cybersecurity awareness and reducing risky clicks. Studies have shown that companies that regularly run these simulations see a steady decline in the number of employees falling for phishing attempts.

For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed data from over 2.9 million simulated phishing emails sent to employees across six US healthcare institutions. The findings revealed that repeated simulations lowered the chances of employees clicking on phishing emails. This suggests these exercises can improve phishing awareness and strengthen response to real threats.

What is phishing simulation software?

Phishing simulation software is a tool that allows companies to create, manage, and analyze simulated phishing attacks. It’s a key part of an effective security awareness training program.

With these tools, security teams can design simulated phishing emails that look like the real deal. The software also tracks employees’ actions — whether they clicked on a suspicious link, downloaded an attachment, or reported the email. That gives companies valuable insight into their team’s readiness and highlights areas where extra phishing awareness training is needed.

The best phishing simulation software

When choosing phishing simulation software, look for a few key parameters: ease of use, variety, and customization of email templates, detailed reporting, and integrated training modules. Here are three top picks that stand out for their effectiveness and valuable features.

1. Mimecast

Mimecast Awareness Training combines powerful phishing simulation tools with an engaging security awareness platform. It offers realistic phishing email templates and fully customizable campaigns, allowing companies to create simulations that match their specific needs. Detailed analytics help identify vulnerabilities and measure training effectiveness. Short, humorous training modules — each under five minutes — make learning both quick and enjoyable.

2. Proofpoint

Proofpoint Security Awareness Training offers a strong phishing simulation solution with a user-friendly interface and in-depth analytics. It includes a wide range of phishing email templates and training options, making it a flexible choice for companies that need versatility. Also, Proofpoint integrates with other security tools, helping organizations unify their cybersecurity efforts. It’s a reliable option for companies that want a smooth experience with detailed insights.

3. Infosec PhishSim

Infosec PhishSim is part of the Infosec IQ platform, offering a comprehensive phishing simulation solution. It includes automated training modules and over 2,000 customizable templates that allow building phishing campaigns to exact specifications. The platform’s detailed reporting and analytics help organizations assess phishing risks and track progress.

How to prevent phishing attacks

Preventing phishing attacks goes beyond simulations. It requires a combination of smart training, strong security measures, and a vigilant mindset. Effective strategies include:

• Run continuous security awareness training. Educating employees about cyber threats is the best defense against phishing. An ongoing security awareness program, paired with phishing simulation training, is a powerful way to strengthen data protection.
• Encourage reporting of suspicious emails. Make it easy for employees to report anything that looks suspicious. Fast reporting helps contain potential threats before they escalate.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if a phishing attack captures a password, MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to access accounts.
• Use anti-phishing software. Anti-phishing software helps detect and block phishing attempts before they even reach employees. Some VPN services also have anti-phishing capabilities.
• Limit access to sensitive information. Not all employees need access to every file or database. Restricting access to sensitive data minimizes the potential fallout if someone does fall for a phishing attack.