What is Phishing Awareness Training and Why It’s Significant

Did you know that 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily, and over 36% of data breaches involve phishing? In 2024 alone, phishing attacks cost businesses a staggering $2.4 billion in damages, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). High-profile incidents like the breach of Twilio in 2022—where attackers stole employee credentials using sophisticated phishing tactics—serve as stark reminders of the growing threat.

Phishing awareness training is an educational program designed to combat these risks by teaching employees how to recognize and respond to phishing attempts. Cybercriminals often use fraudulent emails, messages, or even voice calls to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or corporate data. Without proper training, a single mistake can lead to massive financial, operational, and reputational damage.

In this blog, we’ll dive into:

• How phishing awareness training works and why it’s essential.
• Types of phishing attacks employees should learn to identify.
• Best practices for implementing an effective phishing awareness training program.
• How to get free phishing awareness training.

Definition of Phishing Awareness Training

Think of phishing awareness training as giving your employees cyber-superpowers—the ability to sniff out scams before they cause chaos. It’s all about teaching your team how to recognize and handle phishing attacks, those sneaky attempts by cybercriminals to trick people into handing over sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or company secrets

Here’s the deal: phishing is like a digital con game. Scammers send fake emails, texts, or links that look legit but are anything but. Without proper training, it’s way too easy to fall for these tricks, and the consequences can be ugly—think data breaches, financial loss, or even a major hit to your company’s reputation.

Phishing awareness training helps your team become scam-spotting pros by covering the essentials:

• How to Spot Suspicious Emails: Ever get an email claiming your Netflix account is locked or your CEO wants you to transfer money right now? Training helps employees spot red flags like strange senders, typos, overly urgent language, or sketchy links.
• Understanding Different Types of Phishing: Not all scams are created equal. Your team will learn about spear phishing (targeted attacks), smishing (text message scams), vishing (voice scams), and even QR code phishing (yes, it’s a thing).
• What to Do When Something Feels Off: It’s not just about spotting scams—it’s about knowing what to do next. Employees will learn to report phishing emails to IT, verify suspicious requests through secure channels, and avoid clicking anything that feels “off.”

At its core, phishing awareness training is like equipping your team with a digital BS detector. It’s a simple but powerful step that helps outsmart scammers, protect your organization, and sidestep the massive headache of a cyberattack. Trust me, an hour of training now is worth avoiding the months of chaos a breach could cause later.

The Alarming Growth of Phishing

Phishing attacks are like that one mosquito that always finds its way into your room. No matter how many nets (or firewalls) you put up, it’s still buzzing around, trying to ruin your day. Phishing remains one of the most dangerous cyber threats out there, and let me tell you, cybercriminals aren’t just sitting back and sending out sloppy scam emails anymore. They’re constantly upgrading their playbook, and they’re getting better at outsmarting even the most tech-savvy among us.

Here’s a fun stat to keep you up at night: 90% of data breaches involve some form of phishing, and the average cost of a phishing attack has hit a whopping $4.91 million per incident (thanks, IBM 2023 Data Breach Report, for that cheerful tidbit). And we’re not just talking about cash here—phishing doesn’t just empty wallets; it ruins reputations. Case in point? A UK healthcare provider fell victim to a phishing scam that exposed thousands of sensitive patient records. Ouch. That’s not just a financial hit—it’s a trust meltdown.

What’s scarier is how much smarter phishing attacks are getting. They’re no longer just “Hi, I’m a prince from a faraway land who needs your bank account.” Now we’re talking about AI-generated emails, deepfake technology, and ultra-personalized schemes. It’s like the cybercriminals are running a masterclass in manipulation, and guess what? They’ve got their sights set on organizations of every size, from mom-and-pop shops to global enterprises.

The good news? You don’t have to just sit there waiting to be the next headline. Phishing awareness training is like giving your team a secret weapon—a way to spot the bait before they get hooked. It’s not just critical; it’s non-negotiable. Because let’s face it, you’d much rather have employees laughing at a scam email than clicking on it and launching a company-wide crisis. Trust us, your inbox—and your budget—will thank you.

Why Phishing Awareness Training is Important

Phishing attacks are like that one friend who always finds a way to crash your party uninvited. They’re sneaky, creative, and getting harder to spot every day. These scams have evolved from the old-school “Nigerian Prince” emails to ultra-targeted spear-phishing campaigns that seem so legit they’d fool even the most skeptical among us.

And here’s the kicker: technology alone won’t save you. Firewalls and fancy software are great, but attackers are bypassing them by hacking the real MVPs—your employees. That’s why phishing awareness training is no longer optional. It’s your best shot at turning your team into a cyber-savvy defense squad instead of a liability.

Take it from Brian Krebs, one of the sharpest cybersecurity minds out there. He says, “Phishing scams, even poorly-worded ones, can be a lot more targeted and convincing when they're coming directly from a platform's mobile app.” In other words, even the clumsiest scams are leveling up their game, and your team needs to be ready for them.

Still not convinced? Here’s a real-world example: a group of scammers recently managed to steal a California hotel’s booking platform credentials. Once they were in, they launched phishing attacks so convincing that people didn’t even think twice about clicking. That’s how sophisticated these schemes have become—they don’t need to look fake anymore.

Cybersecurity legend Bruce Schneier puts it best: “Amateurs hack systems, professionals hack people.” He’s not wrong. The bad guys are targeting your team because they know humans are easier to trick than machines. Schneier also drops this gem: “If you think technology can solve your security problems, then you don’t understand the problems and you don’t understand the technology.” Translation? Don’t just lean on your tech stack—teach your people how to spot these scams before they blow up your inbox (or worse).

At the end of the day, phishing awareness training is about giving your team the tools to spot a scam before it does real damage. It’s like teaching them to fish...except in this case, they’re avoiding the bait altogether. And trust me, when the next phishing email lands in their inbox, you’ll be glad they know better than to click.

How Phishing Awareness Training Works

Phishing awareness training isn’t just about sitting through dull PowerPoints or “one-and-done” lectures. Nope, it’s a hands-on, interactive way to train your team to spot sneaky scams and keep your company out of the headlines. Think of it like a cybersecurity boot camp—but without the push-ups.

Key Components of a Phishing Awareness Program

• Education on Phishing Tactics: Your team gets the inside scoop on all the dirty tricks cybercriminals use—like email phishing, spear phishing, smishing (text scams), vishing (voice scams), and even those sketchy QR codes (quishing). It’s like teaching employees to spot the difference between a friendly neighbor and the guy trying to sell “discounted” Rolexes out of his trunk.
• Simulated Phishing Attacks: Here’s where it gets fun: simulated phishing attacks. Companies send out mock phishing emails to see who takes the bait. For example, “Click here to claim your free pizza!” might sound harmless, but it’s a clever way to see which employees fall for the trap. Spoiler alert: not everyone wins the pizza.
• Reporting Mechanisms: “See something, say something” isn’t just for airports—it’s for your inbox, too. Employees learn how to report suspicious emails using tools integrated into their email system. This makes it easy for your IT team to swoop in and shut down threats before they spread.
• Feedback and Reinforcement: When someone clicks on a fake phishing email during a simulation, they’re not left hanging. Instead, they get instant feedback like, “Whoa, that wasn’t a real email! Here’s why you got tricked.” It’s like a friendly, digital slap on the wrist that helps them avoid making the same mistake again.
• Protection Level Agreements: Think of this as a fancy way of setting security expectations across your team. Employees are taught to understand their role in keeping the company safe, and organizations track improvements in phishing resilience. It’s like saying, “Hey, if we all do our part, we’ll avoid becoming the next cybersecurity horror story.” Learn more about Protection Level Agreement here.
• Building a Security Culture (Without the Snooze): Let’s be real—no one wants to feel like security is just IT’s job. That’s where security behavior and culture programs come in. These initiatives help make cybersecurity a shared responsibility, embedding awareness into everyday habits. It’s like turning employees into mini-CISOs without the overwhelming job descriptions. More details on creating Security Behavior and Culture Program.

Types of Phishing to Address

Phishing isn’t a one-size-fits-all scam; it comes in all shapes and flavors. That’s why phishing awareness training needs to tackle the full spectrum of these sneaky attacks. Here’s a breakdown of the most common forms of phishing your team should know about (so they can spot them a mile away):

1. Mass Phishing

This is the OG phishing scam—think of it as the “spray and pray” method. Cybercriminals send out generic emails to thousands of people, hoping a few will take the bait. These emails usually have poor grammar, a fake sense of urgency (“Your account has been suspended! Click here NOW!”), and shady links.

2. Spear Phishing

This is phishing on steroids. Instead of blasting everyone, the scammer carefully targets individuals—often employees in HR, finance, or IT—using personal details like their job title or recent activities. It’s like the scammer did their homework, making the email feel legit enough to fool even the most cautious.

3. Whaling

Go big or go home, right? Whaling targets the big fish in the company—senior executives, CEOs, or anyone with access to sensitive company data. These emails are super polished and play to the egos of high-level execs (“Hey, it’s the board. We need this wire transfer approved ASAP!”).

4. Smishing and Vishing

Who says scammers stick to email? Smishing is all about fraudulent text messages (“Your bank account is locked. Click this link to verify.”), while vishing involves phone calls from fake “support agents” or “government officials” trying to extract sensitive information. If it sounds fishy, it probably is.

5. Quishing (QR Code Phishing)

QR codes are everywhere these days, but scammers have figured out how to exploit them too. Quishing happens when a victim scans a fake QR code and ends up on a malicious website or downloads malware. Yes, even that QR code on your coffee shop flyer could be a scam.

6. Call Back Phishing (TOAD – Telephone Oriented Attack Delivery)

This one is clever—and annoying. Scammers send you a fake email claiming there’s an issue with your account or subscription, urging you to call a support number. Once you’re on the line, they either trick you into giving up sensitive information or talk you into downloading malware.

Benefits of Phishing Awareness Training

Phishing awareness training helps employees identify and respond to phishing attempts, reducing security risks and fostering a proactive security culture. It enhances compliance, minimizes financial and reputational damage, and tracks improvement through measurable analytics.

1. Reduced Human Error

Let’s face it—humans make mistakes. In fact, 88% of data breaches happen because of human error (2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report). Training gives your team the tools to spot the red flags before they fall for a too-good-to-be-true email.

2. Enhanced Reporting

Training transforms employees from “Oops, I clicked” to “Hey, this email seems sketchy, let me report it.” The more phishing attempts your team flags, the more proactive your IT department can be in blocking threats.

3. Regulatory Compliance

If you want to stay compliant with standards like GDPR, PCI DSS, or ISO 27001, phishing awareness training isn’t optional. And trust me, an hour of training is way easier (and cheaper) than dealing with regulatory fines or data breach lawsuits.

4. Cost Savings

A phishing attack can cost millions in downtime, recovery, and lost trust. Stopping just one successful attack with training pays for itself faster than you can say, “Who clicked that link?”

Ozan UCAR, the big boss here at Keepnet, keeps it real when talking about phishing training:

“Creating a security culture isn’t just about tools or policies—it’s about empowering people to think and act like a human firewall.”

Phishing awareness training is a key piece of that puzzle. Ozan believes that when employees understand how phishing works, they stop being the weakest link and become your strongest defense.

“At Keepnet, we’re not just training employees; we’re embedding security into the DNA of organizations. It’s not a one-off event—it’s a mindset.”

Here’s what happens when you prioritize phishing training:

• Fewer Oops Moments: Training and simulations can slash phishing click rates dramatically (think single digits).
• Faster Response Times: Trained employees know the drill—see something suspicious, report it ASAP. No second-guessing or “Oops, I clicked.”
• A Culture of Security: It’s not just about avoiding disasters—it’s about turning security into a habit for everyone, from interns to execs.

Best Practices for Implementing Phishing Awareness Training

Use Realistic Phishing Simulations

Ensure phishing simulations mimic real-world scenarios, such as fake emails from “IT Support” requesting password updates.

Tailor Training to Roles

Customize training materials based on roles, such as providing advanced training for IT staff and focusing on financial scams for accounting teams.

Leverage Gamification

Gamify the training experience with quizzes and leaderboards to make learning engaging and memorable.

Track Security Culture Metrics

Use data from phishing simulations to identify trends, such as which departments are most at risk, and tailor future training accordingly.

Reinforce Regularly

Conduct ongoing training sessions and phishing simulations to ensure employees stay vigilant.

Get Free Phishing Awareness Training

Looking for an easy way to train your team on phishing threats? You’re in luck! Keepnet offers free phishing awareness training that you can preview or download directly.

With this training, you’ll get:

• Practical Lessons: Teach your employees how to recognize phishing attempts and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
• SCORM Format: Download the training in SCORM format and seamlessly upload it to your Learning Management System (LMS).
• Easy Accessibility: The training is designed to fit into your existing security awareness programs, making it simple to deploy and track.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your organization’s defenses against phishing attacks. Access free phishing awareness training here.

How Keepnet Helps with Phishing Awareness Training

At Keepnet, we make phishing awareness training simple, effective, and tailored to your organization’s needs. Our solutions are designed to educate employees, test their knowledge, and reinforce cybersecurity practices in a practical and engaging way.

Here’s how Keepnet can help:

Comprehensive Security Awareness Training Modules

Keepnet’s phishing awareness training programs include interactive lessons that cover real-world phishing scenarios. From email phishing to advanced tactics like spear phishing and vishing, your employees will learn to identify and respond to threats effectively.

Phishing Simulations

Keepnet provides advanced simulated phishing campaigns to test employees in a safe, controlled environment. These simulations mimic real-world phishing attempts, helping your team identify red flags and improve their response skills without the risks of real-world attacks.

Our phishing simulations cover a wide range of attack methods, including:

• Email Phishing: Simulate deceptive emails to test employees’ ability to spot malicious links and attachments.
• Vishing (Voice Phishing): Evaluate how employees handle fraudulent phone calls designed to extract sensitive information.
• Smishing (SMS Phishing): Test how well your team can detect malicious text messages and links.
• Quishing (QR Code Phishing): Train employees to avoid scanning fake QR codes that lead to malicious websites.
• MFA Phishing: Simulate attacks that attempt to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) protections.
• Callback Phishing: Test how employees react to fake requests for callbacks, often disguised as support or customer service queries.

SCORM-Compatible Content

Already have a Learning Management System (LMS)? No problem! All our training content is SCORM-compatible, meaning you can easily upload it to your existing platform. It’s a seamless way to integrate phishing training into your current employee development programs—no awkward tech hiccups, just smooth sailing.

Tracking and Reporting

We’re all about results, and that’s where our detailed analytics come in. With Keepnet, you can:

• Identify high-risk employees who might need extra support.
• Track everyone’s progress (yes, even Bob from Sales).
• Refine your training campaigns using data-driven insights.

Think of it like a fitness tracker—but for your company’s cybersecurity health.

Customizable Content

No two businesses are alike, and neither are their phishing threats. That’s why we let you customize your awaneness training modules and phishing simulations to reflect the specific challenges your employees face. Whether it’s spear phishing targeting your finance team or quishing campaigns sneaking into marketing, we’ve got you covered.

Ongoing Support

Phishing tactics are always evolving, but so are we. With Keepnet, your team gets continuous updates and support to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. It’s like having a cybersecurity coach in your corner, cheering you on (and occasionally yelling, “Don’t click that link!”).

Keepnet’s Phishing Awareness Training tools are designed to make your employees phishing-proof. Ready to take your security awareness to the next level? Let’s make it happen!

Further Reading

• Learn more about Phishing Simulator tools to test and improve employee awareness.
• Explore strategies in Cybersecurity Awareness Training.
• Discover the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform to build a secure organizational culture.
• What is Spear Phishing and How to Prevent It
• Understanding Smishing
• 2024 QR Code Phishing Trends