Simulated Phishing – Measure, Learn, Improve

Cybersecurity doesn’t just happen at the firewall—it happens at the inbox.

Despite years of awareness campaigns and technological advancements, phishing remains the #1 cause of data breaches worldwide. It’s effective, cheap for attackers, and targets the weakest link in any organization: people.

To fight this, smart organizations aren’t just training—they’re testing. The most effective way to gauge your employees’ readiness is to simulate the real thing. Simulated phishing campaigns are the modern solution for measuring vulnerabilities, educating users, and creating a culture of constant vigilance.

In this article, we’ll explore how phishing simulations work, why they matter, how Tiraza LMS supports them, and how you can turn each test into a powerful learning moment.

Why Simulate Phishing Attacks?

Simulated phishing is the cybersecurity equivalent of a fire drill. It allows companies to:

• Measure who clicks on suspicious links
• Identify users most at risk
• Reinforce learning with immediate feedback
• Build muscle memory for real threats
• Reduce breach risks with consistent training

Phishing simulations are not meant to embarrass users—they’re learning tools. When done right, they empower employees to make smarter decisions and feel more confident in digital spaces.

What Makes a Good Phishing Simulation?

Effective simulations are realistic, timely, and data-driven. They should mimic the tactics real cybercriminals use, such as:

• Suspicious attachments
• Fake login pages
• Spoofed domains or sender names
• Emotional triggers (“urgent invoice,” “password expired”)
• Brand impersonation (e.g., Microsoft, Google, HR portals)

Tiraza LMS includes a simulation engine with templates modeled after current phishing threats, from global scams to industry-specific tricks.

Anatomy of a Simulation Flow

Here’s what a typical phishing simulation campaign looks like with Tiraza LMS:

1. Select Your Audience
   Choose entire departments or individuals to test.
2. Pick a Template
   Use pre-built templates or customize your own (e.g., “Password Reset Alert,” “CEO File Request”).
3. Send at Randomized Times
   Emails go out over a chosen window to avoid pattern detection.
4. Track Interactions
   Monitor who opened, clicked, submitted credentials, or reported the email.
5. Provide Instant Feedback
   If a user clicks a fake link, they’re taken to a training landing page explaining what went wrong.
6. Analyze Results
   Use Tiraza’s dashboards to identify trends, top performers, and high-risk users.
7. Assign Reinforcement Training
   Automatically enroll clickers into a short awareness module.

Key Metrics to Track

Success of phishing simulations isn’t just about click rates—it’s about behavioral change over time. Important KPIs include:

• Phish-Prone Percentage (PPP): % of users who clicked
• Repeat Offenders: Users who failed multiple simulations
• Report Rate: % of users who correctly reported the email
• Time to Click: Speed at which users engage with phishing emails
• Departmental Breakdown: Which teams need the most support

Tiraza LMS helps visualize these insights with heat maps, graphs, and exportable reports.

Why Simulations Work

1. Safe Failure = Stronger Learning

Clicking on a real phishing email might cost you millions. Clicking a simulated one provides a lesson—without the damage.

2. Repetition Builds Habit

Security awareness is a muscle. You build it through consistent, low-pressure practice.

3. It Feels Real

Users often say, “Wow, that looked just like a real email.” That realism sharpens their instincts over time.

Tiraza LMS Phishing Simulation Features

Tiraza LMS includes a powerful, user-friendly simulation module with:

• 100+ phishing email templates (brand impersonation, HR scams, tech support)
• Custom scenario builder (tailored to your company or industry)
• Reporting plug-in button (for real-time user feedback)
• Auto-enrollment for follow-up training
• Multi-language support for global teams
• Simulation scheduling and repeat campaigns

Use Case: Manufacturing Firm

A 600-person manufacturing company implemented Tiraza LMS for simulations:

• Monthly phishing tests targeting different departments
• Reward badges for users who reported emails
• Repeat offenders automatically assigned 5-minute microtraining

After 6 months:

• Click rate dropped from 31% to 6%
• Report rate increased from 9% to 42%
• Executive leadership began requesting reports for their teams

Conclusion: Awareness became measurable—and accountability became cultural.

What to Do After a Simulation

A phishing test is only valuable if followed by smart feedback and education.

After each campaign:

• Share a summary report with leadership
• Recognize high performers publicly
• Offer anonymous support for frequent clickers
• Reinforce that this is about learning—not punishment

Let users know: “We all make mistakes, but the goal is to get better together.”

Best Practices for Running Simulations

1. Start Simple, Scale Up
   Begin with easy-to-spot emails. Gradually increase difficulty as users improve.
2. Keep It Ongoing
   Run simulations monthly or quarterly—not once a year.
3. Customize Based on Role
   Executives, finance teams, and HR face different phishing risks. Tailor accordingly.
4. Reward Positive Action
   Celebrate users who report emails correctly—not just those who don’t click.

Use Simulations as Training Triggers
Automatically assign learning modules to anyone who fails a test.