If there’s one cyber threat that continues to trip businesses up, it’s phishing
Phishing remains one of the most persistent and dangerous threats to organisations, exploiting human vulnerabilities and bypassing traditional defences. Addressing this issue requires more than just technology—it demands a cyclical approach to security awareness and employee training, where learning, testing, and adaptation are ongoing processes.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to implement an effective strategy, ensuring your organisation stays vigilant against these kind of attacks and other social engineering tactics.
Understanding the phishing cycle
Phishing attacks are constantly evolving, with cybercriminals regularly updating their tactics to trick users into revealing sensitive information or executing malicious actions. Today’s attackers are increasingly using AI-driven phishing tactics, which generate highly convincing and personalised emails, making them more difficult for traditional defences to catch. This makes it essential for organisations to treat security awareness as an ongoing cycle rather than a one-off initiative.
The security awareness cycle: Building a proactive defence
To combat phishing effectively, organisations must create a security awareness cycle that mirrors the ever-evolving tactics of attackers. This cycle consists of the following steps:
1. Ongoing employee education
The foundation of any effective security awareness program is continuous education. Employees should be regularly trained on recognising phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. This training must be dynamic, adapting to new threats as they emerge.
Training shouldn’t be a one-time event. Instead, it should be a continuous process that reinforces the key principles of cybersecurity.
2. Regular phishing simulations
To ensure training is effective, organisations should conduct regular simulations. These tests help gauge how well employees can identify and respond to any attempts in real-world scenarios. Simulated phishing campaigns provide valuable insights into where your organisation’s vulnerabilities lie and which employees may need additional support.
Running periodic simulations also keeps security top-of-mind and prevents security fatigue, where employees become complacent or overlook threats due to routine. By staying alert through these exercises, employees remain prepared to act when real attacks occur.
3. Reporting and feedback loops
Once phishing attempts—whether simulated or real—are identified, it’s crucial to have a streamlined process for reporting them. A no-blame reporting culture encourages employees to report suspicious activity without fear of repercussions, boosting both engagement and security. Providing employees with tools, such as a one-click report button, helps speed up response times and enables faster threat mitigation.
Real-time feedback also plays a vital role in improving both employee performance and the organisation’s security posture. Employees should receive constructive feedback after phishing simulations, reinforcing good habits and addressing areas for improvement.
4. Continuous improvement
Cyber threats evolve rapidly, so it’s important to continuously update your security awareness programs to reflect new trends. The security awareness and phishing cycle must adapt as techniques grow more sophisticated. Regularly updating your training materials, simulations, and policies ensures that your employees are equipped to handle the latest threats.
By treating security awareness as a continuous improvement process, organisations can ensure long-term resilience and stay ahead of evolving threats.
Building a resilient culture through repetition
The cyclical nature of security awareness training ensures that employees remain prepared for phishing attacks and other security risks. Repetition is key. Just as cybercriminals constantly refine their methods, organisations must regularly reinforce their security practices. This ongoing approach helps build a resilient culture where employees understand their role in protecting the organisation and feel confident in their ability to respond to threats.
Incorporating simulations into this cycle not only keeps employees engaged but also allows security teams to measure progress and adjust the training as needed. As employees gain more experience through simulations and feedback, they become more adept at recognising phishing attempts and more likely to act quickly when faced with a real threat.
Break one cycle, start another
The security awareness and phishing cycle is a powerful approach to combating one of the most common cybersecurity threats. By continuously educating employees, running regular phishing simulations, encouraging a no-blame reporting culture, and adapting to evolving threats, organisations can build a robust defence against these kind of attacks, such as KnowBe4’s PhishER solution.