Staying Safe from Social Engineering: Simulated Phishing Training

25 Aug 2025, by Micron21

It remains true that some of the biggest cybersecurity threats to organisations target individuals rather than systems.  Even with the development of AI and large language models, it's largely the improvements to social engineering attacks that represent the greatest risk to organisations. Through exploiting trust, urgency, and fear - they are able to bypass even the most sophisticated security systems.

Modern phishing attacks have evolved far beyond the poorly crafted emails of the past.  Phishing attacks that would previously been easy to spot due to spelling mistakes or bad grammar are now able to be created through AI with entirely correct and convincing language.  Not only that, but spear phishing - which are attacks that look to target specific individuals using specific information about them - are now even possible to do at scale through the use of  AI tools, publically available social media information, and automation.  It's for these reasons that it's never been more important to make sure your organisation and staff are aware of what to look out for, and specifically be trained to actively spot them.

That's why this month we'll be talking about "simulated phishing".  This is a form of training, in combination with ongoing training and resources, that organisations deploy by using simulated phishing campaigns against their own organisation - with the objective being to identify risks and help train staff on what to look out for using "real world" examples.

Understanding the Modern Phishing Landscape

Phishing attacks have undergone a dramatic transformation since they first appeared in Australia back in 2003.  What began as easily identifiable spam emails with obvious grammatical errors has evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that leverages advanced technology and psychological manipulation.

The term "phishing" itself dates back to 1996, combining the words "fishing" and "phreak" (early telephone hackers).  Just as fishing requires the right bait to catch fish, phishing attacks use carefully crafted "lures" to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious software.

For those interested, we've gone into more details about the different types of phishing in our previous Deep Dive: What is phishing, where did it come from, and how can you avoid it? article.

How AI is Changing the Threat Landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the phishing landscape, making attacks more sophisticated, dangerous, and difficult to detect.  Previously, phishing attempts were often betrayed by poor grammar and spelling errors, which served as clear red flags. Now, AI-powered language models generate flawless, multilingual content, rendering it nearly impossible to identify fraudulent messages based solely on writing quality.

By leveraging vast amounts of publicly available data, AI enables cybercriminals to craft highly personalised phishing messages at scale, pulling specific details from social media profiles, professional networks, and public records to reference targets' personal lives, work, or interests.  Furthermore, these tools enhance social engineering tactics by analysing psychological triggers, allowing attackers to exploit emotions like fear of missing out, urgency around financial issues, or perceived authority from apparent supervisors with remarkable precision.

AI also streamlines phishing operations by automating large-scale campaigns, testing various approaches, and adapting strategies based on success rates with minimal human effort. This evolution of AI-driven tactics has significantly heightened the threat of phishing attacks.

What is Simulated Phishing?

Simulated phishing represents a proactive approach to cybersecurity training that prepares organisations for real-world attacks.  Unlike traditional security awareness training that relies on theoretical scenarios, simulated phishing campaigns expose employees to realistic attack scenarios in a controlled environment.

Key Components of Simulated Phishing

• Realistic Attack Scenarios: Simulated campaigns mirror current phishing trends and techniques, ensuring training reflects genuine threats your organisation might face.
• Safe Learning Environment: Unlike real phishing attacks, simulated campaigns redirect to educational content rather than malicious websites or malware downloads.
• Performance Tracking: Detailed analytics show which employees clicked suspicious links, downloaded attachments, or entered credentials, providing objective data about your organisation's vulnerability.
• Targeted Training: Results identify employees who need additional training, allowing for focused educational efforts where they're needed most.

How Simulated Phishing Campaigns Work

Implementing an effective simulated phishing campaign requires careful planning and execution.

Campaign Planning

Successful campaigns begin with understanding your organisation's specific risk profile.

This includes identifying:

• Common communication patterns within your organisation.
• Popular services and vendors your employees regularly interact with.
• Current phishing trends targeting your industry.
• Varying skill levels and roles within your workforce.

Attack Simulation

Simulated campaigns typically run for several weeks or months, sending various types of phishing emails to employees at different intervals.

These include:

• Fake notifications from IT departments.
• Fraudulent vendor invoices.
• Suspicious social media alerts.
• Bogus security warnings.
• Training and education.

When employees click on simulated phishing links, they're immediately redirected to educational content explaining:

• What made the email suspicious.
• How to identify similar threats in future.
• Proper reporting procedures for suspicious communications.
• Best practices for email security.

Performance Analysis

Comprehensive reporting tracks multiple metrics:

• Overall click rates across the organisation.
• Improvement trends over time.
• Department-specific vulnerabilities.
• Individual employee progress.

Getting Started with Simulated Phishing

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, and organisations must adapt their defences accordingly.  Simulated phishing training provides a practical, measurable way to strengthen the human element of cybersecurity - often the weakest link in even the most sophisticated security architectures.

By regularly testing and training employees with realistic attack scenarios, organisations build a security-conscious culture that serves as a powerful defence against evolving cyber threats, which in turn can significantly reduce their vulnerability to social engineering attacks.

If you're looking to improve your organisation's cybersecurity posture and ensure protection against modern phishing attacks, consider implementing a comprehensive simulated phishing training programme.  Our team are happy to work with you on an ongoing basis to help train your staff, run effective campaigns, and continually improve your defence against this common but dangerous threat!