Phishing is the leading cause of data breaches that organizations around the world are currently facing. And because phishing attacks exploit human communication behaviors, the first step in defending your business against phishing is human risk management. This is done by making sure that your employees know that such attacks exist. Education is one of our best defenses against phishing, and the number of powerful phishing awareness training solutions out there is largely to thank for the decrease in click rates and increase in reporting rates in the last year.
Phishing awareness training solutions, sometimes also called “anti-phishing training”, teaches users how to identify and respond to sophisticated phishing attacks. They’re usually made up of two parts: content-based learning, and phishing simulators. First, they use engaging, interactive training methods—often involving bite-sized learning modules, gamification, and quizzes—to teach users how to spot phishing attempts. They then test the users’ knowledge by enabling admins to send them simulated phishing emails. This enables users to apply what they’ve learned, whilst allowing admins to monitor which users are most at risk of falling for a phishing attack, and assign further training as required. this streamlined approach uses fewer resources, provides actionable insights, and can noticably change behavior for the better.
In this shortlist, we’ll explore the top phishing awareness training solutions and phishing simulators designed to transform employees into an additional layer of defense against social engineering attacks. These solutions offer a range of engaging, learner-focused training materials, which teach your employees how to identify and report suspicious activity; admin reporting, which allows you to see who has completed the training; and realistic simulations to drill your employees on what they’ve learned. We’ll give you some background information on the provider and the key features of each solution, as well as the type of customer that they are most suitable for.
Phished is a security awareness training platform designed to enhance users’ ability to identify and report email-based threats. It combines awareness training, phishing/SMishing simulations, active reporting, and threat intelligence to create a “human firewall” against social engineering attacks.
Why We Picked Phished: We like Phished’s engaging micro-learning modules, which use gamification to make training effective and enjoyable. Its personalized phishing simulations test and educate users on real-time threats.
Phished Best Features: Key features include awareness training with checkpoints, phishing/SMishing simulations, active threat reporting, and threat intelligence. Integrations support Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, with user onboarding options via manual entry, .csv file, or Active Directory.
What’s great:
Pricing: For detailed pricing, visit Phished directly.
Who it’s for: Phished is well-suited for SMBs and enterprises seeking an effective, user-friendly solution to train employees against phishing threats and improve overall email security.
Adaptive Security is an innovative security awareness training platform launched in 2024, focusing on next-generation social engineering threats like AI-powered phishing via email, deepfake video, and audio. Backed by over $50M in funding from investors including OpenAI, Adaptive can be used to create tailored, realistic scenarios to train employees against evolving cyberattacks.
Why We Picked Adaptive Security: We value Adaptive Security as a fully AI-native platform, offering one of the most customizable security awareness training solutions we’ve tested, setting it apart in the evolving market. In our test of the Adaptive platform, we’ve been impressed by the range of training and simulations available (voice phishing, email phishing, deepfakes) and the ability to create fully custom modules using AI, making it a standout choice for modern threats.
Best Features: Adaptive provides a fully modular, customizable system using Generative AI to deliver awareness training and simulations. Training modules are highly interactive—for example, creating audio deepfakes of employees to highlight the risks of AI-social engineering—while simulations can be tailored or built from scratch using real-world attack examples. A GenAI content builder personalizes scenarios to match employee risks, supported by comprehensive dashboards and reporting to track campaign success and performance. Automated enrollment and reminders via Slack and email streamline management.
Strengths:
Pricing: Contact the Adaptive team for pricing details.
Who It’s For: Although a relatively new vendor in the competitive SAT scene, Adaptive has quickly shot to the top ranks of providers due to its investment from OpenAI and other top tech companies. Adaptive is ideal for mid-sized to enterprise-level customers needing highly customizable cybersecurity training and social engineering simulations for phishing and deepfakes.
ESET’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training is a comprehensive solution designed to enhance organizational security through interactive and gamified training modules, phishing simulations, and detailed reporting. This platform empowers organizations to combat phishing and other cyber threats effectively.
Why We Picked ESET’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training: We appreciate the platform’s flexibility, allowing organizations to customize content and run targeted phishing simulations. The integration with Office 365 enhances user engagement by enabling direct reporting of suspicious emails.
ESET’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include on-demand, interactive training modules with real-life scenarios, gamification, quizzes, and role-playing. Users can customize content with their branding, and admins can manage simulated phishing campaigns with pre-built or custom templates. The platform supports user grouping for targeted testing, and offers a plugin for Office 365 to report suspicious emails. Robust management and real-time reporting capabilities are available through a centralized dashboard.
What’s great:
Pricing: For detailed pricing, visit ESET’s official website.
Who it’s for: ESET’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training is ideal for US-based organizations across various industries, particularly those in banking, finance, and healthcare, seeking engaging security awareness content and robust phishing simulations.
TitanHQ Security Awareness Training is a platform designed to deliver effective cybersecurity, IT policy, and compliance training to users. It is suitable for larger enterprises and MSPs looking to mitigate cyber risks for their SMB clients through engaging content and customizable training.
Why We Picked TitanHQ Security Awareness Training: We like the platform’s real-time intervention training, which uses alert data to automatically send tailored training content to users engaging in risky behaviors. Its customizable phishing simulations also allow organizations to train users effectively against real-world threats.
TitanHQ Security Awareness Training Best Features: The platform offers engaging video and quiz content, customizable phishing simulations, just-in-time training, and SCORM integration for uploading custom materials. Admins can manage and monitor training via a single portal, create simulated phishing campaigns, and view user behavior changes over time. Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and various single sign-on solutions.
What’s great:
Pricing: For pricing details, contact TitanHQ directly.
Who it’s for: TitanHQ Security Awareness Training is best suited for larger enterprises and MSPs serving SMBs, looking to deliver effective, measurable cybersecurity training to mitigate risks.
IRONSCALES is a rapidly expanding email security solution that utilizes AI and machine learning to combat phishing attacks. It offers a comprehensive approach with integrated phishing simulation and security awareness training to enhance organizational security posture.
Why We Picked IRONSCALES: We appreciate IRONSCALES’ integration of phishing simulations with security awareness training, providing a holistic solution to combat email-based threats. The platform’s ability to deliver targeted training campaigns and track engagement is particularly noteworthy.
IRONSCALES Best Features: Key features include AI-driven phishing detection, phishing simulation, and security awareness training through bite-sized videos. The platform supports training on compliance topics like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, and PII, and offers detailed engagement reporting. The video library covers various cybersecurity categories in nine languages, with options to upload and score custom content.
What’s great:
Pricing: Contact IRONSCALES directly for pricing details.
Who it’s for: IRONSCALES is ideal for organizations seeking a unified solution to educate employees on cybersecurity threats and enhance their ability to recognize suspicious emails in their typical email environment. It suits businesses of all sizes looking to improve their security posture through targeted training and phishing simulation.
Hoxhunt is a security awareness training platform that specializes in phishing and spear phishing simulations. It trains end users to identify and respond to sophisticated phishing attacks while enabling security teams to monitor human risk levels across the organization.
Why We Picked Hoxhunt: We like Hoxhunt’s AI-driven personalized learning paths and its ability to deliver custom phishing simulations tailored to each user’s skill level, department, and location.
Hoxhunt Best Features: Key features include AI-generated personalized learning paths, custom phishing simulations based on user profiles, real-time feedback on reported suspicious emails, a peer leaderboard for engagement, and native integrations with email clients and other security providers. The platform supports over 30 languages.
What’s great:
Pricing: For pricing details, visit Hoxhunt directly.
Who it’s for: Hoxhunt is best suited for larger organizations in industries at high risk of phishing attacks, such as financial services, legal, manufacturing, technology, and critical infrastructure.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance user awareness and response to phishing, smishing, and USB-based threats. It integrates seamlessly with Proofpoint’s technical security solutions, offering a holistic approach to email security.
Why We Picked Proofpoint Security Awareness Training: We appreciate its user-friendly interface and the diverse range of engaging training materials, including videos, posters, and infographics, tailored to different learning styles.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include phishing, smishing, and USB testing simulations, knowledge tests, and a library of training modules. The platform supports on-demand access with each module taking about 15 minutes to complete. It also features simulated phishing attacks and a PhishAlarm tool for reporting suspicious emails. Integrations include compatibility with Proofpoint’s technical security solutions like heuristic scanning for advanced threat protection.
What’s great:
Pricing: For detailed pricing, contact Proofpoint directly.
Who it’s for: Proofpoint Security Awareness Training is ideal for organizations seeking ongoing, user-friendly security awareness training that integrates well with advanced technical security measures.
Cofense offers a comprehensive solution to combat phishing attacks through a combination of employee training and technical security measures. Their approach integrates human detection with automated response systems to detect and block threats swiftly.
Why We Picked Cofense: We appreciate Cofense’s innovative blend of phishing awareness training with real-time threat detection and response. Their system empowers employees to actively participate in the security process.
Cofense Best Features: Key features include customizable phishing simulations, scenario-based training, and integration with ‘Cofense Reporter’ for easy threat reporting. The solution also features ‘Cofense Triage’ for threat analysis and ‘Cofense Vision’ for quick threat quarantine across user inboxes. Integrations include compatibility with Outlook, Gmail, and IBM Notes.
What’s great:
Pricing: For detailed pricing, visit Cofense directly.
Who it’s for: Cofense is ideal for organizations seeking to bolster their phishing defense strategy through both employee training and technical solutions. It suits businesses of all sizes looking to enhance their security posture with active employee participation.
Infosec IQ is a rapidly growing security awareness training solution that equips employees with essential skills to combat phishing attacks through a comprehensive 12-month program.
Why We Picked Infosec IQ: We appreciate Infosec IQ’s adaptive phishing simulations and immediate training feedback, which effectively transform employees into a robust defense against cyber threats.
Infosec IQ Best Features: Key features include anti-phishing simulations, security awareness CBT, role-based training, and customizable phishing campaigns via IQPhishSim. The solution also offers PhishNotify, an email reporting plugin that flags suspicious emails and quarantines real threats, prioritizing them for efficient analysis.
What’s great:
Pricing: For pricing details, contact Infosec directly.
Who it’s for: Infosec IQ is ideal for businesses of all sizes seeking to enhance their employees’ security awareness and phishing defense capabilities through a tailored, comprehensive training program.
KnowBe4 is a market leader in phishing awareness training and simulations, focusing on user engagement to enhance security awareness. Their solution includes a vast library of training materials and free tools to help organizations combat phishing threats effectively.
Why We Picked KnowBe4: We like the extensive variety of training materials, including videos, games, and quizzes, which cater to different learning styles. Additionally, the PhishAlert button allows users to report suspicious emails directly from their inboxes, enhancing real-time phishing detection.
KnowBe4 Best Features: Features include a comprehensive training library with videos, games, and quizzes, specialized training for management and system administrators, free simulated phishing attacks, the PhishAlert button for reporting suspicious emails, and a full Phishing console for tracking user responses and providing detailed training reports. Integrations include compatibility with Outlook, Exchange, Microsoft 365, and G Suite.
What’s great:
Pricing: For detailed pricing, contact KnowBe4 directly.
Who it’s for: KnowBe4 is best suited for small to mid-sized organizations looking to enhance their phishing defense through extensive employee training and engagement.
Delivers automated security training based on real phishing attacks.
Offers a comprehensive platform for simulating phishing attacks and providing security awareness training.
Delivers engaging, Hollywood-style micro-learning videos to educate employees about security threats.
Provides security awareness training and phishing simulations as part of its broader cybersecurity education offerings.
Empowers employees to identify and prevent threats with managed phishing campaigns and training.
Selecting the right phishing awareness training and simulation solution involves aligning the tool with your organization’s security awareness goals and operational needs. Consider these key steps to make an informed choice:
Assess Your Risk Profile: Evaluate your organization’s exposure to phishing, including industry-specific threats (e.g., spear phishing, BEC) and user groups (e.g., employees, executives) most at risk.
Define Integration and Compliance Needs: Factor in your email platform (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), existing security tools (e.g., SIEM), and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) for seamless deployment.
Prioritize Scalability: Choose a solution that supports your current workforce and can scale to accommodate growth, remote workers, or evolving phishing tactics.
Focus on critical features to ensure effective training and realistic simulations:
Engaging Training Content: Look for interactive modules, gamified learning, and multi-media libraries (videos, quizzes) to educate users on spotting phishing, smishing, and other social engineering attacks.
Realistic Phishing Simulations: Prioritize tools with customizable templates, multi-vector simulations (e.g., email, SMS, QR codes), and AI-driven scenarios mimicking real-world threats.
Reporting and Analytics: Ensure robust admin dashboards, real-time tracking of user interactions (e.g., clicks, reports), and behavioral risk scoring to identify vulnerabilities.
Automation and Integration: Verify automated campaign scheduling, user onboarding (e.g., via Active Directory), and integrations with email clients or security platforms for streamlined operations.
Balance functionality with usability to maximize adoption and impact:
User-Friendly Experience: Avoid complex interfaces that burden IT teams or disengage users, opting for intuitive platforms with short, memorable training modules.
Vendor Support Quality: Select providers with responsive support, onboarding assistance, and resources like templates or best-practice guides.
Testing and Trials: Use demos, free trials, or user reviews to validate engagement, simulation realism, and fit before committing.
Our guide to the leading phishing awareness training and simulation solutions offers a comprehensive overview of platforms designed to transform employees into a proactive defense against phishing attacks. The article evaluates tools based on features like engaging training content, realistic multi-vector simulations, advanced analytics, and seamless integrations, catering to organizations of all sizes. It highlights the importance of combining user-centric education with practical testing to reduce phishing susceptibility, enhance reporting, and build a security-aware culture in a landscape of evolving social engineering threats.
Key Takeaways:
Effective Awareness Building: Top solutions use gamified, interactive training and realistic simulations to teach users how to identify and report phishing threats.
Actionable Insights: Choose platforms with detailed analytics and behavioral tracking to pinpoint risks and tailor training effectively.
Automation and Scalability: Prioritize tools with automated campaigns and integrations to streamline administration and support growing workforces.
We’ve explored the leading phishing awareness training and simulation solutions, highlighting how these tools empower organizations to combat phishing through education and realistic testing. Now, we’d love to hear your perspective—what’s your experience with these platforms? Are features like gamified training, AI-driven simulations, or robust analytics critical for your organization’s security awareness strategy?
Selecting the right solution can transform how you strengthen your human firewall, but challenges like user engagement or campaign customization can arise. Have you found a standout platform that’s reduced phishing risks, or encountered hurdles with scalability or usability? Share your insights to help other organizations navigate the phishing awareness landscape and choose the best tool for their needs.
Let us know which solution you recommend to help us improve our list!
Traditionally, phishing emails targeted hundreds or even thousands of recipients at a time. They were designed to trick users into clicking on a URL that would lead to a webpage where they’d be asked to enter personal information. While these types of phishing attack still exist, cybercriminals have adapted their attacks, making malicious phishing messages harder for machines and humans to identify. These more targeted attacks are called “spear phishing”.
Here the attacker impersonates a trustworthy sender and aims to trick their victim into handing over sensitive information (such as account credentials or financial data). Alternatively, the user may be encouraged to click on a malicious link or file that will install malware on their device.
Both spear and regular phishing attacks have key indicators that users can look out for to determine whether an email is genuine or fraudulent.
While spear and regular phishing attacks sent via email are the most common type, there are a few other variants to look out for:
Phishing awareness training teaches users how to spot and react to different types of phishing attacks. As phishing attacks are constantly evolving and phishing risk increases, giving your users a list of phishing emails to avoid won’t be enough to block online attacks. Instead, you need to train them to be vigilant and naturally suspicious of emails that encourage them to act or share details. Phishing awareness training can help you create a culture of security that will encourage this cautious behavior.
Phishing awareness training solutions use content-based training (such as bite-sized videos, infographics, and quizzes) to explain common indicators of compromise (IOCs) and train users on what to look for. This means that when a user encounters a new attack type, they already have the skillset to identify a dangerous message and act accordingly.
Anti-phishing training also teaches users how much damage a successful phishing attack can cause. Without this, it can be hard to understand the significance of something as simple as clicking on a link. When users know what’s at risk, they are more likely to act cautiously.
The best phishing email training solutions also enable you to test your users’ response to a phishing attack by sending them simulations if they experience a failure in a test.
Phishing simulators, or simulations, are fake phishing emails that security teams send to their employees to test how they would react to a real-life phishing attack. They’re usually included in a wider phishing awareness training program that also teaches users (via content-based training) how to identify a threat.
Accurate simulations enable users to apply the knowledge that they’ve gained whilst completing their anti-phishing training course. They also enable admins to identify any users that may be particularly susceptible to phishing attacks and assign those users further training.
Phishing simulation training usually focuses on email phishing and enables IT teams to either choose from a library of out-of-the-box templates or create their own emails that can be tailored to their users and use-case. Some simulators also enable IT teams to carry out SMiShing attacks, but this often comes at an extra cost.
A good phishing awareness program and relevant training is critical for any organization, no matter how big or small you are or what sector you’re operating within. There are four key reasons why we recommend that you train your users on how to behave in response to phishing attacks:
Phishing awareness training cultivates a security-first mindset that prioritizes data protection and network security, effewctively supporting human risk management. It does this by providing employees with the knowledge and tools they need to combat phishing attacks. Carefully designed programs teach users how to detect and react to threats so that they can help protect sensitive data, rather than being considered an easy way into an organization’s network.
It’s thanks to powerful training and simulation solutions that recent years have seen a decrease in phishing click rates and an increase in reporting rates, despite the volume of phishing attacks increasing year on year.
There are a number of different phishing awareness training solutions out there, and it can be difficult to know which one is best suited to your needs. The most effective solutions include the following features, so keeping an eye out for these is a good place to start:
Caitlin Harris is the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. As an experienced content writer and editor, Caitlin helps cybersecurity leaders to cut through the noise in the cybersecurity space with expert analysis and insightful recommendations. Prior to Expert Insights, Caitlin worked at QA Ltd, where she produced award-winning technical training materials, and she has also produced journalistic content over the course of her career. Caitlin has 8 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology space, helping technical teams, CISOs, and security professionals find clarity on complex, mission critical topics like security awareness training, backup and recovery, and endpoint protection. Caitlin also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted.
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO and founder of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013. Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions. Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.