Phishing Simulation Exercise Services
Measure how employees react to real-world phishing attempts — and help them build safer habits through simple, practical learning.
About Service
Phishing Simulation Exercise Overview
Phishing remains the most common entry point for cyber attacks worldwide. A single click on a fake link, a convincing login page, or an urgent-sounding email can lead to breaches, financial loss, or compromised accounts.
Even with strong security tools in place, attackers often bypass defenses by tricking people instead of hacking systems.
Phishing simulation exercises help you understand how your employees react in these situations. They show who identifies threats, who ignores warning signs, and who may need additional training. These simulations are safe, controlled, and designed to improve awareness without embarrassing anyone.
CyberXSoft runs phishing simulations that feel realistic but remain fully secure. We help your team learn how to identify risks, pause before responding, and report suspicious messages.
What Are Phishing Simulation Exercises?
A phishing simulation is a controlled test where employees receive safe, fake phishing emails designed to reflect real-world attacks.
These tests help you measure:
- Who clicks harmful-looking links
- Who submits information
- Who reports suspicious emails
- Which teams are at higher risk
- What types of emails cause the most mistakes
The goal is learning — not punishment.
What Our Phishing Simulation Exercises Include
Realistic Email Scenarios
We create phishing templates that resemble everyday business emails.
Examples include:
- Fake HR notifications
- Payment or invoice-related messages
- IT support emails
- Password reset prompts
- External supplier emails
- Urgent “CEO-style” requests
Safe Click Tracking & Reporting
All clicks and interactions are tracked safely. No actual credentials or information are collected.
What’s included:
- Click-through tracking
- Form submission tracking (safe and non-intrusive)
- Reporting button integration
- Identification of risk patterns
Tailored Campaigns for Different Roles
Different departments face different risks — we tailor scenarios accordingly.
Examples:
- Finance teams get invoice and payment scams
- HR receives fake CV attachments
- Executives get targeted spear-phishing attempts
- IT teams receive fake service requests
Behavior-Based Feedback
Employees receive simple, friendly explanations after interacting with a phishing email — not technical jargon.
What’s included:
- Immediate on-screen learning pages
- Short tips on recognizing suspicious content
- Encouraging, non-judgmental messaging
Summary Report & Improvement Plan
We provide a clear summary showing:
- Open and click rates
- Reporting habits
- Role-based risks
- Repeat behavior patterns
- Training recommendations
Tools Commonly Used for Phishing Simulations
Industry-standard tools include:
- GoPhish
- Microsoft Attack Simulator
- KnowBe4
- Proofpoint Security Awareness
- Custom phishing frameworks
These platforms help run controlled tests and measure behavior.
Real Problems Phishing Simulations Help Solve
Most organizations struggle with:
- Employees clicking suspicious links out of habit
- Lack of awareness around fake login pages
- Hesitation to report suspicious emails
- Trusting unexpected requests without checking
- Not knowing how to verify sender authenticity
- Weak decision-making under urgency
- Higher risk in remote and hybrid teams
Simulations help uncover these behaviors early.
Use Cases
1. Teams Experiencing Repeated Phishing Attempts
Simulations help measure and reduce risky behavior.
2. Compliance Requirements for Awareness Training
ISO 27001, SOC 2, and many other frameworks expect simulated testing.
3. Organizations With New or Expanding Teams
New staff often fall for early phishing attempts due to lack of guidance.
4. Businesses Recovering from a Phishing Incident
Testing helps confirm whether awareness has improved.
How Our Phishing Simulation Process Works
Planning & Template Selection
We design the scenarios based on your environment and risk profile.
Simulation Deployment
Emails are sent to selected employees or groups.
Behavior Monitoring
We track clicks, replies, submissions, and reporting activity.
Feedback & Learning
Employees receive simple, friendly awareness tips.
Reporting & Improvement Plan
You get a clear summary and recommendations for future training.
Who Can Benefit From This Service?
- Teams with frequent phishing or fraud attempts
- Organizations transitioning to remote or hybrid work
- Companies handling sensitive financial or personal data
- Businesses are onboarding new employees frequently.
- Teams facing compliance expectations
- Any organization wanting a better reporting culture
See how your team responds to real-world phishing — safely and clearly.
Improve awareness before a real attack happens.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should companies run phishing simulations?
Most organizations run simulations quarterly. Companies facing frequent phishing attempts or working in high-risk sectors such as finance, healthcare, or SaaS often test monthly to reinforce habits and track changes over time.
2. Do employees know they are being tested?
Usually, no, because realistic reactions provide the best insight. However, some companies prefer partial announcements to reduce anxiety during the first few cycles. We follow the approach that best fits your culture.
3. Will the test collect employee credentials or sensitive information?
No. All simulations are safe and controlled. Even if a user submits information, it is captured in a non-sensitive way and immediately deleted after analysis. The goal is awareness, not data collection.
4. Are phishing simulations suitable for non-technical teams?
Yes. Most phishing victims are non-technical staff, so simulations are beneficial for departments like HR, finance, operations, and administrative teams. Content is designed in simple, easy-to-understand formats.
5. What happens if many employees fall for the phishing test?
This is common and not a failure. It simply shows where awareness gaps exist. We use the results to recommend training topics, communication improvements, and behavior reinforcement to help teams improve.
6. Do phishing simulations help meet compliance requirements?
Yes. Many security standards require regular awareness testing, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. Simulation reports help demonstrate ongoing employee awareness efforts.
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