What Is Phishing Reporter and How It Works

Phishing attacks are among the most persistent cybersecurity threats, accounting for over 36% of all data breaches in 2023, according to Verizon DBIR. Also, a 2024 survey from the UK government revealed that 84% of businesses and 83% of charities identified phishing as the most disruptive cyber threat.

Phishing attacks deceive users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. With the rise of sophisticated phishing campaigns targeting email users daily, having tools like Phishing Reporter is more critical than ever.

In this blog, we’ll explore what a phishing reporter is, why it’s important, and how it empowers organizations to fight phishing effectively.

What Is a Phishing Reporter?

A Phishing Reporter is a cybersecurity tool or feature that allows users to report suspicious emails directly from their inboxes. By providing a simple mechanism, such as a “Report Phishing” button, employees can flag potential threats for further investigation.

How It Fits into Cybersecurity Strategies

Phishing Reporter tools are essential for driving behavioral change and achieving outcome-driven metrics in cybersecurity strategies. By empowering employees to actively report suspicious emails, these tools foster a culture of vigilance and transform users into the first line of defense against phishing attacks.

Beyond immediate threat detection, Phishing Reporter tools help organizations measure engagement and effectiveness through key benchmarks, such as phishing simulation reporting metrics. This data-driven approach ensures continuous improvement and alignment with broader cybersecurity goals, particularly in combating phishing attempts that mimic trusted brands like Amazon, Chase, or PayPal.

Investing in such tools not only enhances employee awareness but also solidifies a proactive defense framework that prevents threats from escalating.

Why Do Organizations Need Phishing Reporter Tools?

Without the right tools, phishing attacks often slip past traditional defenses, putting sensitive data and systems at risk. A phishing reporter tool empowers employees to actively participate in threat detection by enabling them to report phishing emails with ease, turning potential vulnerabilities into organizational strengths. In this section, we’ll explore the growing threat of phishing and the benefits of having a dedicated phishing reporting system in place.

Rising Threat of Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks have evolved significantly today, becoming more sophisticated and targeted than ever before. (Check out our research on phishing statistics 2024). Cybercriminals are leveraging advanced phishing tactics such as spear phishing, quishing, or other advanced attacks. These methods make phishing campaigns harder to detect and increase the likelihood of successful breaches.

Organizations now face a surge in phishing emails originating from trusted platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and PayPal, impersonating legitimate sources to steal sensitive information or spread malware. These attacks pose severe risks, including financial losses, operational disruption, and reputational damage, especially if customer data is exposed. Phishing Reporter helps employees identify threats quickly and protect their organization proactively to mitigate potential fallout.

Benefits of Having a Phishing Reporting System

Implementing a phishing reporting system offers organizations numerous advantages, from faster threat detection to improved employee engagement. Here are some key benefits:

1. Early Threat Detection: Employees can quickly flag suspicious emails, enabling security teams to act before damage occurs. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of breaches.
2. Reduced Financial and Reputational Risks: Preventing phishing attacks protects organizations from financial losses and reputational harm, particularly from incidents involving trusted brands like Amazon or Chase.
3. Improved Security Awareness: Encouraging employees to report phishing attempts reinforces a culture of vigilance and accountability, making them active participants in your cybersecurity strategy.
4. Streamlined Incident Response: Centralized reporting systems simplify the process for security teams to analyze, classify, and mitigate threats, reducing response times significantly.
5. Compliance with Regulations: Many industries require organizations to implement mechanisms for detecting and responding to phishing. A robust reporting system ensures adherence to these standards.

Creating Outcome-Driven Metrics

By enabling employees to report phishing emails, such systems not only enhance cybersecurity but also contribute to building an informed and engaged workforce.

Organizations need to measure and analyze employee engagement with phishing detection efforts. Tracking phishing reporting rate metrics provides valuable insights into how actively employees are participating in cybersecurity. These metrics can help identify areas where awareness training may need improvement or where additional support might be required.

As shown in the chart above, organizations often start with a low phishing reporting rate, leaving them vulnerable to phishing attacks that evade technical defenses. By implementing structured security awareness training and tools like the Phishing Reporter, organizations can set benchmarks such as the Protection Level Agreement (PLA), aiming for a target reporting rate of 40% or higher.

By analyzing phishing reporting metrics, organizations can:

• Pinpoint Gaps in Awareness: Identify teams or departments that might require targeted phishing simulations or training to improve vigilance.
• Benchmark Progress: Use historical data to track improvements in reporting behavior over time, helping to gauge the impact of security awareness campaigns.
• Drive Accountability: Establish reporting metrics as part of key performance indicators (KPIs) for fostering a security-first culture.

How Does a Phishing Reporter Work?

A phishing reporter simplifies the process of identifying and mitigating phishing threats by leveraging user input and automated analysis. Here's how it typically works:

Table 1. How Phishing Reporter Works

For example, using Gmail’s Report Phishing button sends the email to Google’s security team, while enterprise solutions like Keepnet provide a tailored phishing reporting system for in-depth analysis and response. These tools not only detect threats but also educate employees and streamline organizational defense mechanisms.

Key Features of a Phishing Reporter Tool

1. One-Click Reporting: Seamless email integration for easy use in platforms like Gmail, Outlook, or enterprise systems.
2. AI-Powered Analysis: Automatic detection of phishing elements in reported emails.
3. Centralized Dashboard: Aggregates phishing reports for the security team to monitor and act on threats.
4. Customizable Reporting Templates: Allows integration with organization-specific workflows and policies.

Benefits of Using Phishing Reporter for Organizations

A robust phishing reporter tool comes equipped with essential features to empower users and enhance an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Here are the key capabilities to look for:

1. Enhanced Threat Visibility: Gain insights into evolving phishing tactics.
2. Improved Incident Response: Reduces response time with immediate reporting and analysis.
3. Compliance Assurance: Meets regulatory requirements for email security and phishing prevention.
4. Cost Savings: Avoids financial losses caused by successful phishing attacks.

A real-world example involves an enterprise using Phishing Reporting systems to prevent breaches from phishing emails masquerading as Amazon or Chase notifications.

Examples of Phishing Reporter Tools

Phishing reporter tools come in various forms, from simple email client features to comprehensive enterprise solutions. Below are some examples that highlight the variety of tools available for phishing reporting:

Industry-Leading Phishing Reporter Solutions

Popular tools like Gmail’s “Report Phishing” button, Outlook’s phishing reporting feature, and specialized platforms like Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform empower organizations to detect threats. Keepnet’s Phishing Reporter helps organizations to report emails easily for analysis.

Customizable Features for Different Needs

Tools like Keepnet provide flexible solutions, allowing organizations to tailor phishing reports based on specific email clients and workflows.

Common Challenges in Implementing a Phishing Reporter

While phishing reporter tools are invaluable for enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity defenses, their successful implementation is not without challenges. From gaining employee buy-in to ensuring seamless technical integration, organizations must address several obstacles to maximize the tool’s effectiveness. Identifying and proactively addressing these challenges can ensure smooth adoption and long-term success in combating phishing threats.

Employee Resistance to New Tools

Employees may perceive phishing reporting as extra work, leading to underutilization. Proper training and awareness campaigns are essential to overcoming this.

Ensuring Compatibility Across Systems

Organizations often face challenges integrating phishing reporter tools across multiple email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, or enterprise systems. Prioritizing tools with cross-platform compatibility solves this issue.

How to Choose the Right Phishing Reporter Tool?

When evaluating phishing reporter tools, it’s essential to focus on features that align with your organization’s needs and security goals. Below are the critical factors to guide your decision:

Factors to Consider for Your Organization

1. Ease of Use: Tools like Gmail and Outlook phishing report features should be user-friendly.
2. Integration: Ensure compatibility with existing systems, including email platforms and threat intelligence tools.
3. Scalability: Opt for solutions that grow with your organization’s needs.
4. Customizability: Tailored reporting templates and workflows can improve employee participation.

Keepnet's Phishing Reporter Add-in

Efficiently identifying and managing phishing threats is a critical component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Keepnet's Phishing Reporter add-in makes this task seamless by allowing users to report suspicious emails with a single click, empowering both employees and security teams. Here's how this powerful tool works and the benefits it delivers to organizations.

How Does the Phishing Reporter Work?

The Keepnet Phishing Reporter is integrated directly into Microsoft Outlook or G-Suite or other email infrastructure. It simplifies the process for employees to report suspicious emails by providing a user-friendly "Report Phishing" button. When clicked, the suspicious email is forwarded as an attachment to a designated email address, preserving vital metadata like email headers for detailed analysis.

When a user clicks the “Phishing Reporting” button to report a suspicious email, the tool prompts them to confirm whether they would like to delete the original email. This ensures users have control over managing their inbox while contributing to the organization’s security efforts.

After the employee reports the phishing email, they receive immediate acknowledgment, reinforcing their proactive role in cybersecurity and highlighting the significance of their conscious action in safeguarding the organization.

How to Install Phishing Reporter

The Keepnet Phishing Reporter is compatible with a variety of environments, including Outlook, Office 365, and Google Workspace. It integrates seamlessly with the Incident Responder for swift analysis and mitigation. With customizable features like branding, multi-language support, and tailored reporting templates, organizations can align the tool with their unique security needs.

The Phishing Reporter also includes detailed configuration options for Add-in Settings, Email Settings, and a Diagnostic Tool. These settings allow administrators to customize dialog box labels, automate suspicious email reporting to the SOC, and enable the automatic activation of disabled add-ins. Additionally, admins can track which users have the add-in installed and monitor its activation status for better visibility across the organization.

For step-by-step instructions and detailed customization guidance , visit our documentation page on Keepnet Phishing Reporter.