How Can We Train Our Team to Recognize Phishing Without Borefest?

Gamification is a game-changer! We started rewarding team members with gift certificates for reporting phishing tests. It created some buzz and encouraged participation. The team that designs our phishing tests does a great job of crafting them, and when people fail a campaign, they share a breakdown of what went wrong with visual cues. Now, we rely on live campaigns instead of boring trainings and it’s been working well!

Showing real-life examples of phishing attempts can be eye-opening for the staff. Walk them through an actual attack to illustrate the risks and indicators they should look for. When they see a real email that targeted a colleague, it gets their attention.

We’ve used Hoxhunt for our phishing simulations, and it incorporates gamification effectively. You get points for reporting both real and test phishing attempts, creating a competitive atmosphere. It also provides instant feedback, which is critical for learning. Plus, we’ve celebrated top performers in team meetings, keeping morale up!

Make phishing training a constant part of the culture. Run tests regularly and make the stakes clear—if someone fails, there should be genuine consequences. This holds everyone accountable, and management needs to step in as well. Failing must lead to tangible repercussions, not just a gentle reminder. Otherwise, the message gets lost.

Consider using a specialized service like KnowBe4. They offer engaging cyber security training that’s short enough to keep attention. We’ve seen great results with their videos and phishing tests; they get the point across without putting people to sleep!