Example Adaptive Phishing Simulation for Employees with Disabilities

Ensuring cybersecurity awareness training is accessible to all employees, including those with disabilities, is significant for building an inclusive and resilient security culture. Adaptive phishing simulations empower organizations to provide tailored training experiences that accommodate diverse accessibility needs. Keepnet offers an innovative solution that helps businesses foster an inclusive security environment by enabling employees with disabilities to actively participate in phishing simulations without barriers.

In this blog, you'll discover how adaptive phishing simulations can be tailored to employees with disabilities, covering key aspects such as accessible email content, dynamic adjustments based on performance, role-specific scenarios, and outcome-driven metrics to measure program effectiveness.

Want to learn more about adaptive phishing simulations and their role in strengthening security culture? Check out our guide here: The Role of Adaptive Phishing Simulations in Building a Secure Culture.

Phishing Scenario Overview

Adaptive phishing simulations are designed to help employees with disabilities recognize and respond to cyber threats while ensuring an inclusive learning experience. These simulations focus on key elements, such as:

• Target Group: Employees with disabilities (e.g., visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments).
• Objective: Test employees’ ability to recognize and respond to phishing attacks while ensuring accessibility.
• Attack Vector: Email phishing with inclusive and accessible design elements.
• Difficulty Level: Adjustable based on individual performance and accessibility needs.

Phishing Campaign Details

Adaptive phishing campaigns are designed to provide an inclusive experience, ensuring employees with disabilities can effectively identify and respond to threats. These simulated phishing test campaigns incorporate essential elements, such as:

1. Accessible Email Content

Carefully crafted emails with inclusive design elements help employees recognize phishing attempts while maintaining accessibility.

• Subject Line: "[Action Required] Security Update Verification"
• Sender: "support@trusted-security.com" (spoofed domain)
• Body:

Dear [Employee Name],

We have noticed unusual activity on your account. Please verify your credentials to secure your access by clicking the link below:

Verify Now

For assistance, contact us at support@trusted-security.com.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards,

Trusted Security Team

2. Accessibility Features

Built-in support, such as high-contrast visuals and screen reader compatibility, ensures equal participation for employees with different needs.

1. High-contrast visuals for employees with visual impairments.
2. Screen reader-compatible formatting for emails and links.
3. Simplified language for cognitive accessibility.
4. Closed captions in follow-up training modules.

3. Phishing Indicators

Subtle yet detectable signs, like domain alterations and urgent language, are included to educate employees on identifying potential threats.

1. Slightly altered domain name (trusted-security.com vs. trusted.com).
2. Generic and urgent tone in the request.
3. Suspicious link leading to a fake website.

Dynamic Adjustments in Phishing Scenarios

Tailoring phishing simulations based on employee responses ensures a personalized learning experience that enhances security awareness.

1. For Employees Who Fall for the Initial Simulation:

• Immediate Feedback: Accessible micro-training with screen reader compatibility and step-by-step audio guidance is triggered.
• Simplified Follow-Up Scenarios: Scenarios with clearer phishing indicators (e.g., misspelled domains) are introduced to reinforce foundational awareness.

2. For Employees Who Report the Initial Simulation:

• Advanced Scenarios: Scenarios mimicking high-risk attacks, such as targeted spear-phishing or impersonation of senior executives, are used to test vigilance.
• Accessible Enhancements: Includes text-to-speech functionality and high-contrast visuals in all training materials.

3. Role-Based and Accessibility-Specific Adaptation:

• Employees in high-risk roles receive tailored simulations that mimic their responsibilities, such as finance-related phishing for accounting teams.
• Accessibility features are integrated to support individual needs, ensuring fairness and inclusivity.

Follow-Up Phishing Simulation Example

Scenario for Employees Who Fell for the Initial Simulation

Email Content:

• Subject Line: "[Urgent] Account Locked - Verification Needed"
• Sender: "security@trustedaccess.com" (spoofed domain)
• Body:

Dear [Employee Name],

Your account has been locked due to suspicious activity. Please verify your identity by clicking the link below:

Unlock Account

Contact our support team at security@trustedaccess.com if you need assistance.

Best regards,

Trusted Access Security Team

Scenario for Employees Who Reported the Initial Simulation

Email Content:

• Subject Line: "[Follow-Up] Critical Security Alert"
• Sender: "alerts@trustedcorp.com" (spoofed domain)
• Body:

Hello [Employee Name],

We’ve detected unauthorized access to your account. Please review the details in the attachment and verify your credentials immediately.

Best regards,

TrustedCorp Security Team

Why Keepnet’s Adaptive Phishing Simulation Stands Out for Accessibility

Keepnet ensures its adaptive phishing simulations are inclusive and accessible for all employees, including those with disabilities. Here’s how:

1. Comprehensive Accessibility Features:

• High-contrast visuals and screen reader compatibility.
• Closed captions and text-to-speech options for all training materials.
• Simplified language and clear formatting for cognitive accessibility.

2. AI-Driven Personalization:

• Phishing templates are tailored to individual accessibility needs, roles, and risk levels.
• Adjustments in tone, format, and complexity ensure inclusivity.
• Vishing and SMS Phishing simulation features provide phishing training in accessible formats, enabling employees with visual or cognitive impairments to engage with simulations effectively and build their cybersecurity awareness.

3. Inclusive Gamification:

Leaderboards and rewards are designed with accessible visuals to motivate engagement.

4. Real-Time Feedback and Training:

• Providing immediate feedback and personalized micro-learning modules helps employees, including those with disabilities, learn from their mistakes effectively. These modules reinforce key cybersecurity concepts and improve threat recognition through accessible formats. For example, employees with disabilities who fall for phishing attempts can receive automated, accessibility-friendly training nudges, such as screen reader-compatible alerts, voice-guided instructions, and simplified content tailored to their needs.

5. Outcome-Driven Metrics:

• Tracks phishing reporting rates, phishing dwell times, and human risk scores segmented by accessibility needs to ensure program effectiveness.

Outcome-Driven Metrics

Measuring the effectiveness of adaptive phishing simulations is significant to understanding how well employees, including those with disabilities, can identify and respond to phishing threats. The outcome metrics provide insights into training performance and highlight areas for improvement, such as:

1. Click Rate: Percentage of employees who clicked on phishing links.
2. Reporting Rate: Percentage of employees who identified and reported phishing attempts.
3. Time to Report (TTR): Average time to report phishing emails.
4. Engagement Metrics: Participation rates in training and simulations segmented by accessibility needs.
5. Adaptation Effectiveness: Improvement in awareness and vigilance over time.

Learning Outcomes for Employees with Disabilities

By participating in Keepnet’s adaptive phishing simulations, employees with disabilities will:

1. Develop an ability to recognize phishing attempts through accessible design cues.
2. Use assistive technologies to verify suspicious links and emails effectively.
3. Understand the importance of reporting phishing attempts promptly.
4. Contribute to building an inclusive, security-first organizational culture.

Keepnet’s inclusive approach ensures that employees with disabilities are empowered to actively participate in cybersecurity efforts. By leveraging adaptive and accessible phishing tests, organizations can foster a secure environment where everyone is critical in defending against cyber threats.