The Role of Online Corporate Training in Phishing Simulation

Almost every business today has some sort of digital presence, and that presence leaves them vulnerable to all sorts of digital threats. One of the more common threats that businesses face today is phishing attacks, which rely on human error to expose weaknesses in cybersecurity defenses. In order to better protect against phishing, one of the best methods is using online corporate training software to run simulations of phishing attacks and prepare employees for what they are likely to encounter. The idea behind running phishing simulations, similarly to the idea behind other sorts of cybersecurity attack simulations, is that it takes what would normally be a passive training course and makes it active and measurable.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly a phishing simulation is, why it can be effective, and how running simulations with online employee training courses on how to best defend against it might be the best option for businesses.

What Exactly is a Phishing Simulation?

Before we get deeper into what a phishing simulation is, we should define phishing. In a nutshell, phishing is a type of scam. The idea is that employees will receive emails or contact from entities that try to get them to give up sensitive information. Things like financial information, login details or other company data can all be valid targets for phishing attacks. A large part of what makes phishing attacks successful is that they play on fear, authority, and urgency to psychologically manipulate people and get them to act carelessly.

When a company runs a phishing simulation through online employee training courses, they deliberately put employees in positions that would, if they were working normally, be potentially compromising. They send simulated phishing emails, which have all the hallmarks of a real attack, but are entirely safe. If employees fall for any of these simulated attacks, they can be immediately directed to a relevant employee training software module, helping them to learn by doing, rather than through theory.

There are a few benefits to a simulation like this, such as:

• High-risk behavior among employees can be identified.
• The actual real-world vulnerability of the business can be determined.
• Targeted online employee training courses can be put together for specific employees.
• Employee adeptness at spotting phishing attacks can be tracked over time, leading to increased confidence.

By putting employees into a realistic situation where they must spot and defeat phishing attacks, they can better prepare for the real thing and actually learn new behavior patterns around safety.

Why Are Simulations Better Than Other Forms of Training?

It isn’t uncommon for businesses to have relied on cybersecurity training that took the form of a single presentation or a series of slides that employees needed to review annually. While this sort of information can be useful, it cannot compare to the level of psychological readiness that corporate training software, which simulates a real attack, can provide.

Simulations are better than static modules for a few reasons.

Simulations Are Behavior-Based

Instead of just testing what an employee knows, online employee training courses that run simulations will test what an employee might do. Theory is all very well, but it needs to be followed up by the correct actions. There can easily be a gap between knowledge and practice, and a phishing simulation run through corporate training software will find that gap.

Employees Will Learn by Doing

Not everyone learns the same way, but many people learn far more quickly if they have tangible interactions with what they are learning about. In essence, creating teachable moments around the subject matter will vastly improve knowledge retention.

It Helps to Normalize Being Vigilant

Some employees might feel a little silly scrutinizing every single email they receive to ensure it is on the level. Being part of a business training software simulation where they fail to spot simple phishing emails will normalize the importance of being vigilant at work for them.

Employees Are the Defense Against Phishing

While most smart businesses will spend a reasonable amount on cybersecurity solutions, they should also not shirk investment in business training software on phishing simulations. While good cybersecurity solutions can help protect a business from more overt threats, phishing relies on human error to work. Any time an employee opens an email or clicks a link, it could be a phishing attack. Investing in corporate training software that runs phishing simulations and helps employees detect these threats is crucial.
Putting staff through simulations will position them as the first line of defense against phishing attacks. Moreover, when they have successfully navigated those employee training software-based simulations, they will feel like an active participant in the company’s defense, and they are likely to feel good about this role.

Online Corporate Training Software Makes Learning Easy

For companies that need solutions for phishing simulations that are quick and efficient, making use of employee training software online is often the best choice. Online business training software is designed to deliver scalable, engaging and consistent education to people in any sort of field. When it comes to cybersecurity and simulations, these online employee training courses can easily incorporate the most recent and relevant ideas into their training programs.

While it might seem cheaper to engage in sporadic one-off training for cybersecurity for a business, this sort of training can often be outdated or lack crucial elements. Corporate training software that is hosted by online platforms that specialize in cybersecurity training and simulation is more likely to be effective. This sort of program also allows employees to revisit crucial segments at their own leisure, allowing them to stay on top of potential threats with more certainty.

A few features that most modern online employee training courses typically have include:

• Learning experiences that are gamified to increase engagement.
• Simulations for whatever sort of training it is, in this case, simulated phishing attacks.
• Modules that are interactive and require direct engagement rather than passive learning.
• Clearly tracked progress and report generation for compliance purposes.

With features like these, business training software for cybersecurity becomes a much more quantifiable process, not just a box that gets ticked.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity threats are something that every modern business needs to contend with. Happily, threats like phishing attacks are best dealt with by getting employees to complete corporate training software programs that specialize in phishing simulations. Businesses that use these training programs are more likely to have teams that are confident in their ability to detect and avoid phishing attacks, as they will have experienced them firsthand as simulations.

While investment in business training software for phishing simulations can seem expensive, not investing in it can your employees are a crucial gap in your digital defenses, rather than the strongest part of those defenses.

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Milena Baghdasaryan

Content Specialist at PowerDMARC

Milena is a skilled writer and content creator with 7+ years of experience in crafting engaging content on IT, cybersecurity, virtual events, and more. She has a proven track record of delivering high-quality work for international magazines and is a graduate of prestigious institutions such as New York University Abu Dhabi, UWC China, and the College of Europe.

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