July 3, 2024
The importance of phishing tests
3.4 billion spam emails are sent every day and Google is trying its best to block 100 million phishing emails daily, but nothing can stop the number one form of cyber-crime. The goal of these emails is often to have the receiver disclose sensitive information and its big business. Long gone are the days of ill thought out emails with spelling mistakes galore landing in your inbox.  The techniques used are highly sophisticated, with a significant rise in ‘whaling attacks’  that target the big fish within your organisation.Â
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Our top tip for your business is to implement Phishing tests. These are simulated cyberattacks designed to mimic real-world phishing attempts and conducted to assess how well employees can identify and handle phishing emails, links, and websites. By periodically running these tests, you can gauge your staffs vulnerability to such threats and provide targeted training to bolster your defences.
When employees regularly encounter simulated phishing attempts, they become more vigilant and adept at spotting suspicious emails, creating a culture of awareness.
Phishing tests also provide invaluable data. They highlight common mistakes employees make, allowing organisations to tailor their cybersecurity training programs effectively. By understanding which tactics are most successful, you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Top tips on where to start with phishing tests
- If you are working with a managed IT service provider, ask them what phishing tests they could conduct for your business.
- If managing internally, plan the phishing test in advance and start small with some easy to detect signs like bad spelling and grammar and a generic opening.
- Stagger sending the phishing tests to your team, otherwise someone may alert everyone else, meaning you won’t get the most out of the test.
- Include everyone within the business, including directors, sub-contractors and board members.
- If you need to get buy-in to the benefit of phishing tests, add them as a discussion point for your next Management review or board meeting or forward on this article.
