How to Run Multi Channel Phishing Simulations: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you know 60 % of all data breaches occurred due to human error, according to the 2025 Verizon DBIR report? Despite advancements in technology, cybercriminals are evolving their tactics, making employee training and awareness critical. Phishing simulations are one of the most effective ways to empower your workforce to identify and combat these threats.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essentials of running multi channel phishing simulations and explore various types, including email phishing, QR phishing, SMS phishing, voice phishing, MFA phishing, and callback phishing simulations.

If the voice channel is the part you are least sure about, our comparison of vishing simulation tools covers what separates a real conversation from a recorded message.

How to Run Multi Phishing Simulation Campaigns

Phishing attacks come in a variety of forms, ranging from emails and phone calls to text messages, QR codes, and beyond. By understanding each different approach, organizations can create more realistic training exercises that reflect real-world threats.

Here are the types of phishing simulations you can start to equip your team with stronger, more versatile defenses.

Email Phishing Simulation

Email phishing is one of the most prevalent cyberattack methods, involving deceptive emails designed to steal credentials, install malware, or manipulate recipients into taking harmful actions. Phishing simulations help employees recognize these threats by examining suspicious links, attachments, and sender information.

How to Launch an Email Phishing Simulation

• Run the campaign from a phishing simulator so every click and report is recorded per employee.
• Design scenarios that mimic real-world phishing attempts relevant to your organization.
• Analyze results with metrics such as click-through rates and report rates to measure employee performance.

If you are new to the topic, start with what a phishing simulation is.

Also, watch the YouTube video below to learn how to create an email phishing campaign.

QR Code Phishing Simulation (Quishing)

Quishing leverages malicious QR codes to trick users into visiting fraudulent websites or downloading malware. These codes are often embedded in posters, emails, or other physical and digital materials, making them harder to detect.

How to Launch QR Code Phishing Simulation

• Use the Keepnet Quishing Simulator to design realistic scenarios.
• Test employee reactions by placing QR codes in different formats, such as posters or email attachments.
• Analyze user interactions to identify vulnerabilities and provide targeted training.

Discover more in our guide: How to Launch a QR Code Phishing Simulation.

Watch the Keepnet video tutorial on YouTube and learn how to start a quishing campaign for your organization.

SMS Phishing Simulation (Smishing)

Smishing leverages text messages to deceive users into sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.

How to Launch SMS Phishing Simulation

• Use the Smishing Simulator.
• Send fake SMS messages mimicking real-world phishing attempts.
• Measure response rates and provide feedback to employees.

Discover more in our guide: How to Launch an SMS Phishing Simulation.

Also, watch this Youtube video to learn how to start your Smishing test campaign.

Voice Phishing Simulation (Vishing)

Vishing involves cybercriminals making fraudulent phone calls to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information by impersonating trusted entities. This tactic often relies on urgency and psychological manipulation to catch employees off guard.

How to Launch Vishing Simulation

• Use the Vishing Simulation Tool to replicate realistic vishing scenarios.
• Design scripted calls that mimic common vishing tactics used in real-world attacks.
• Train employees to identify warning signs, such as urgency or requests for confidential information, and respond appropriately.

For a complete guide, visit How to Run a Voice Phishing Simulation for Your Organization.

Watch the video below to see how you can run a vishing simulation campaign:

MFA Phishing Simulation

MFA phishing targets vulnerabilities in multi-factor authentication systems, exploiting methods like fake push notifications or intercepted codes to gain unauthorized access. Simulating such attacks helps employees recognize and respond to these sophisticated tactics.

How to Launch MFA Phishing Attack Simulations

• Build scenarios around the MFA methods your employees actually use.
• Simulate common MFA phishing techniques, such as fake authentication prompts or credential harvesting pages.
• Monitor user responses to understand weaknesses and provide focused training.

Learn more with our step-by-step guide: How to Run an MFA Phishing Simulation.

Also, watch the Youtube video below and learn how to start an MFA Phishing Simulation:

Callback Phishing Simulation

Callback phishing (or reverse phishing) involves tricking employees into calling a fake support line.

How to Launch Callback Phishing Simulation

• Use the Callback Phishing Simulation.
• Set up fake customer service scenarios targeting employees.
• Measure how they handle suspicious requests during the call.

Check out How to Run a Callback Voice Phishing Test for a detailed step-by-step guide.

Also, watch the Youtube video below to learn how to start a callback voice phishing simulation campaign.

Best Practices for Running Phishing Simulations

By employing best practices in these simulations, companies can ensure that their workforce is well-equipped to recognize and respond to potential phishing threats effectively. Here are essential guidelines that can help you implement impactful phishing simulations tailored to your business's unique needs:

1. Tailor Simulations to Your Business Needs

Choose phishing scenarios that align with your organization's risks and industry trends.

2. Use Realistic Scenarios

Authenticity increases the effectiveness of the simulation, helping employees relate the experience to potential real-world attacks.

3. Incorporate Training Post-Simulation

Follow up with immediate feedback and targeted training based on the results of your simulations.

4. Leverage Data Insights

Use platforms like Keepnet's secure behaviour management platform to analyze results and baseline performance.

Bringing the Channels Together

Running these simulations as one program, instead of one channel at a time, shows which employees fall for more than one attack type and where follow-up training should start. For the cultural side of this, see how adaptive phishing simulations build a security-aware workforce.

Watch the YouTube video below and learn how to run phishing simulations step by step to strengthen your organization’s cyber defense!

What Better Program Design Looks Like

Run Multi Channel Phishing Simulations: A Step-by-Step Guide works best when the content reflects how people actually make decisions. Strong programs do not try to teach everything at once. They focus on the few behaviors that create the most risk, then reinforce them with current examples, timely reminders, and clear reporting paths.

That is also what makes training easier to defend internally. When a program changes behavior, reduces repeat-risk patterns, or improves reporting quality, leaders can see how awareness supports real business outcomes instead of acting like a standalone compliance activity.

Keepnet teams usually see the biggest gains when training is tied to a reporting path and a follow-up workflow. For most organizations, the common mistake is treating run multi channel phishing simulations: a step-by-step guide as content delivery instead of behavior design.

Program Checklist

• Choose the user decisions that matter most instead of covering every possible topic.
• Use short modules, current examples, and realistic follow-up after incidents or simulations.
• Measure reporting, repeat risk, and remediation behavior, not only completions.
• Give managers and team leads a role in reinforcing the habits you want to build.

Before you lock a vendor, map which channels you must simulate in year one. KnowBe4 alternatives (2026) lists email-only vs multi-channel paths.