Why Phishing Email Training is Critical to Human Risk

Phishing emails are sneaky messages designed to trick employees into handing over sensitive information and remain one of the biggest threats to organisations today. The ASD Cyber Threat report shows that phishing was the most common attack leading to critical infrastructure cyber incidents in 2024.

Without engaging and effective training, employees can easily fall victim to these scams, putting company data, finances, and reputations at risk. That’s why phishing email training is essential. It helps employees identify suspicious emails, take the right steps to avoid threats, and strengthen your organisation’s overall security. If you’re sceptical as to whether phishing training is effective, check out some of our case studies.

Understanding Phishing and Its Risks

Phishing is a cyber attack where criminals pose as trusted sources- like banks or company executives - to trick employees into revealing confidential information. These scams often arrive via email but can also be found in fake websites via advertising (malvertising), phone calls (vishing), or texts (smishing).

Common tactics include spear phishing (personalised attacks), whaling (targeting executives), and social engineering (manipulating human behaviour). They may use urgent language, concealed or obfuscated links, or suspicious attachments to catch victims. Knowing what to look for helps employees recognise and respond to these threats effectively when they encounter them in the wild.

How Phishing Email Training Empowers Employees

Real-World Phishing Simulations

Hands-on experience beats theory. Simulated phishing campaigns allow employees to safely practice spotting phishing emails, improving their instincts before a real attack happens.

Step-by-Step Detection Training

• Recognise phishing red flags like odd email addresses or unexpected attachments with unusual file types.
• Hover over links to verify the domain before clicking.
• Report phishing attempts to the IT or security team immediately using our Phish Reporter.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email

If an email seems off, pause before reacting. Employees should:

1. Avoid interacting – Don’t click, download, or reply.
2. Verify authenticity – Check the sender’s email address and hover over links.
3. Report immediately – Forward it to IT/security.
4. Secure accounts – If a phishing link was clicked, change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

We’re all very busy in our day-to-day duties, however taking an extra few minutes to verify an unusual email or message is worth more than speeding through the day and making a costly mistake. 

Why Phishing Email Training is a Must for Your Business

Prevent Costly Cyber Breaches

The human element is a leading cause of data breaches and financial loss. Training reduces the human risk of employees falling for scams.

Build a Resilient Security Culture

A well-trained workforce is your best defence. Employees who understand phishing threats create a security-first environment.

Cyber threats aren’t going away, but phishing training prepares employees to defend against them. 

Phriendly Phishing makes learning engaging and practical—because cyber security doesn’t have to be boring!