Phishing Training 101: Building a Security-First Workforce

Phishing has always been a top cyber threat, but in 2025, it looks very different than it did a few years ago. 

Attackers are no longer just sending clumsy, typo-filled emails. Generative AI lets them create flawless, personalized phishing messages, mimic an executive’s tone, spin up fake websites in minutes, and even clone voices or faces to run voice-driven attacks (vishing),  SMS-based schemes (smishing), and deepfake scams. 

The result? Phishing attacks are more believable, harder to detect, and easier to launch at scale.

That’s why cybersecurity awareness and phishing training shouldn’t just be about ticking a compliance box. Employees need to be equipped with the right skills to spot and report attacks that filters and firewalls miss.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of phishing training in 2025:

• What phishing training is and why it matters
• Why phishing threats remain the leading cause of breaches
• How to design and roll out an effective training program
• How to measure ROI and show impact to leadership
• The top benefits for security, culture, and compliance
• A review of the leading phishing training platforms for 2025 and beyond

By the end, you’ll have a clear playbook for building a security-first workforce that can spot even the most sophisticated AI-driven cyberattacks before they cause harm.

What is phishing training?

Phishing training is a focused branch of security awareness training that equips employees to recognize, avoid, and report phishing attempts. Think of it as giving your workforce digital street smarts. This means providing your team with practical skills to identify suspicious emails, messages, and calls before they cause damage.

Modern phishing isn’t limited to shady emails. Today’s threats include many types of phishing attacks. These include smishing, vishing, and even AI-generated deepfake videos and messages mimicking trusted colleagues. Phishing training prepares employees to handle these new tactics as confidently as traditional email scams.

In today’s effective security awareness training programs, phishing training should involve:

• Educational content on how phishing works, the forms it takes, and common warning signs
• Phishing simulations that safely mimic real-world attacks to test employees in practice
• Knowledge checks, like quizzes or quick assessments, to reinforce learning
• Clear reporting procedures so suspected threats reach the right team quickly

When done well, phishing awareness training goes beyond simply transferring information. It drives sustained behavior change, transforming employees from potential targets into active participants in the organization’s security posture.

Why phishing attacks remain a top threat in 2025

Phishing isn’t a new threat, but it’s evolving fast. IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index reported that phishing was involved in 41% of initial access incidents. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report reveals phishing and spoofing were the most common cybercrimes, outpacing others like extortion and personal data breaches. 

Phishing attacks rely on psychological triggers to bypass rational thought and prompt immediate actions. They often prey on human emotions and cognitive biases, including: 

• Urgency (“Your account will be closed!”)
• Fear (“Unauthorized login detected”)
• Curiosity (“You have a pending delivery”)
• Authority (“Request from CEO”)
• Helpfulness (“Update your HR information”)

Generative AI has made it easier for cybercriminals to innovate by lowering the barrier to entry. They can create highly personalized phishing campaigns at scale, drafting emails in flawless language, mimicking executive tone, and generating realistic fake websites or voice clones within minutes. 

How to implement a phishing training program

Organizations often misjudge their risk profile or rely on outdated solutions. But moving from recognizing the need for phishing training to actually implementing a program requires careful planning and execution across multiple stages. 

Launching a security awareness training program involves several key steps:

1. Assess needs

Start with a clear understanding of your organization’s unique risk profile. Are your teams more likely to face business email compromise (BEC) attacks, spear phishing campaigns targeting executives, or smishing scams? 

A good first step is to run a baseline phishing test. This involves sending out a fake but safe phishing email to your employees before any training begins. The results show you how many people clicked the link, how many reported it, and how many ignored it.

A baseline phishing test provides a starting point for understanding your risk. For example, if 25% of employees click the fake email, you know awareness is low and training is urgently needed. If only 5% click, you still have room to improve, but you’re in a stronger position.

2. Choose an approach

When selecting a phishing training platform, focus on more than just content volume. Look for the following:

• Realistic phishing simulations that mimic modern attacks (including AI-generated and vishing attempts)
• Reporting and analytics to measure progress across teams
• Ease of deployment with integrations into your existing systems

Legacy solutions that rely on static “don’t click this link” modules often fail to change behavior. In contrast, new-age security awareness platforms take a different approach. 

Adaptive Security utilizes customizable training modules combined with realistic phishing simulations that accurately replicate the appearance of modern attacks, including AI-generated emails, deepfakes, vishing calls, and targeted spear phishing. 

This ensures employees don’t just memorize rules but practice responding to the same kinds of threats they’re most likely to face, all in a format that’s easy for security teams to deploy and manage.

3. Develop a rollout plan

How you introduce phishing training matters as much as the training itself. If employees feel the program is designed to “catch them out,” they may resist or stop engaging. 

Employees should understand that training isn’t about punishment, but strengthening the organization’s defenses together. Clearly communicate the purpose and importance of the training, and schedule training and simulations mindfully to minimize disrupting their work responsibilities.

4. Train, simulate, measure, and refine

Training is not a one-and-done exercise. It should be a cycle that looks like this:

• Train employees with short, engaging modules
• Simulate phishing attempts regularly, varying difficulty and attack types
• Measure phishing training program ROI with metrics like click rates, report rates, and time to report
• Refine based on data, delivering targeted training to high-risk groups

The impact of this approach is measurable. The 2023 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report found that organizations starting with a “phish-prone percentage” over 30% reduced it to just 5% with one year of consistent simulations and training. This indicates that ongoing, adaptive training leads to measurable improvement.

Measuring the ROI of phishing training

Phishing training is an investment, and like any investment, leaders want proof it works. The return is evident when employee behavior changes in ways that reduce actual risk to the business.

The most reliable way to measure the success of your phishing program is through outcomes you can track. Here are some ways to do that:

• Fewer employees are falling for phishing tests. Tracking the percentage of employees who click on simulated phishing emails over time is a clear indicator of progress. A steady decline indicates that training is effective. Employees are recognizing suspicious messages and resisting the urge to click, directly reducing the likelihood of an attacker gaining access.
• Faster reporting of suspicious emails. Speed matters. The quicker employees report an attack, the faster the security team can act to contain it. Organizations that measure the average “time to report” see it drop from hours to minutes once training is in place.
• Higher awareness scores over time. Many companies track employee “risk scores” or awareness maturity. Rising scores indicate that employees are not just memorizing tips, but are actually getting better at identifying attacks. 

For example, Adaptive Security assigns a risk score out of 100 based on simulation performance. Leaders can then quickly see overall risk (e.g., 84/100) and identify which channels (SMS phishing, business email compromise, or voice phishing) are most vulnerable.

This kind of reporting makes ROI tangible, with failure rates dropping from nearly 30% to under 10% after three months of continuous training. 

Measuring the ROI also supports audit readiness. Many regulatory frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2) require evidence that staff are regularly trained on security risks. Measurable data on phishing training outcomes provides that evidence, making audits smoother and helping avoid costly fines.

7 top benefits of phishing training

IT and security teams prioritize phishing training for employees because they know what’s at stake. Phishing training is not just a procedure or simply going through the motions to remain compliant with regulations. It prepares employees for the threats that technical defenses just can’t stop.

Investing in robust phishing training for employees is a strategic move with tangible returns, as explained below.

Drastically reduce successful attacks

Consistent phishing training, especially when coupled with simulations, lowers the number of employees who click on malicious links or open dangerous attachments. Industry data often reveals significant reductions in click rates following the implementation of regular training.

In fact, the 2025 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report found the percentage of staff likely to be fooled by phishing scams dropped to 4.1% after 12 months of security training. This is clear evidence that regular training leads to fewer successful attacks.

Create a proactive human firewall

Instead of viewing employees as the weakest link, phishing training turns them into active defenders. They learn to recognize threats and, above all else, know how to report phishing attacks, providing valuable, real-time threat intelligence to your IT or security team.

Safeguards sensitive data

The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report confirms that stolen credentials remain the top initial access vector in breaches (22%), a slight decrease from the previous year. Phishing is one of the fastest ways attackers capture those credentials, giving them an open door into critical systems.

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Phishing training protects an organization’s most valuable assets: customer data, financial records, trade secrets, intellectual property, and strategic plans. In other words, training cuts off the entry point that attackers exploit most often, keeping sensitive data out of reach.

Avoid financial losses (and enjoy high ROI)

The cost of comprehensive phishing training is minimal compared to the potential damage of a single successful attack. Factoring in remediation, legal fees, regulatory fines, and lost business, the cost of an attack can easily spiral into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report places the global average breach cost at $4.88 million. It also found that organizations with strong employee training programs lowered their average breach costs from $5.10 million to $4.15 million. That’s $950,000 saved per incident.

Phishing training isn’t just a compliance exercise. It’s a measurable way to reduce breach costs, limit financial fallout, and demonstrate clear ROI to executives and boards.

Support compliance

Industry regulations and data protection laws (like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS) mandate security awareness training. By implementing and documenting a robust phishing training program for your employees, you can satisfy these requirements and demonstrate due diligence.

Enhance cybersecurity culture

Regular phishing training focused on specific, relatable threats creates a broader culture of security awareness. Employees become more aware of other best practices and contribute to the organization’s security posture.

Improve employee confidence

Fear of “making a mistake” can be stressful for employees. Training shows them what to do and how to report suspicious activity quickly This boosts morale and makes them more likely to act decisively instead of ignoring threats. 

Modern training tools, such as Adaptive Security, reinforce this by providing clear risk scores and role-specific feedback, allowing employees to see their own progress and feel confident that they’re contributing to the company’s defenses.

Top 5 tools for phishing training in 2025 and beyond

Adaptive Security 

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Imagine this: you’re about to wire funds after what looks like a call from your CFO. The voice sounded real and the request seemed urgent, but you stop. You’ve seen this before in training. 

That’s exactly what the next-generation phishing training platform Adaptive Security does. It provides your teams with realistic, AI-powered phishing simulations across email, SMS, and even deepfake voice calls, reflecting how attackers actually operate today. 

Every employee also receives a human risk score out of 100, making it easy for leaders to see which teams or channels (like smishing or vishing) need the most attention.

As Ryan Donnon, Director of IT at First Round, puts it: “Adaptive’s blend of traditional phishing simulations as well as next-gen and deepfake-based attacks was something other platforms did not have.”

Pros:

• Cutting-edge simulations: Goes beyond email to include AI-generated phishing, smishing, and even deepfake voice calls.
• Human risk scoring: Each employee receives a risk score out of 100, allowing leaders to identify at a glance the areas with the greatest vulnerabilities (e.g., SMS vs. vishing).
• High engagement: Users on G2 rate Adaptive’s training content 4.9/5, calling the platform “incredible” and praising the modern, easy-to-use interface.

Cons:

• Realism can be intense: Deepfake and voice-clone scenarios are highly effective but may unsettle employees if not introduced thoughtfully.
• Rapidly evolving platform: As a GenAI-driven solution, the platform is still maturing, and organizations must adapt quickly as features change.

KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is a cloud-based phishing training platform with a large content library of videos, quizzes, and interactive modules in 35+ languages. It offers over 25,000 phishing templates, with AI that adapts simulations to user behavior. 

KnowBe4’s SmartRisk system scores employees based on training and simulation results, helping security teams identify high-risk users. Integrations with Microsoft Active Directory, Okta, and other tools for managing employee logins and access, keep user accounts in sync automatically, simplifying campaign setup and administration.

The platform excels in scale and reporting, but its content can feel repetitive, and it currently lacks coverage of emerging threats, such as AI-driven deepfakes.

Pros: 

• Strong reporting: Includes over 60 built-in reports and industry benchmarks, providing leaders with visibility into awareness progress.
• Automated, scalable campaign management: Admins can set up training paths and phishing campaigns, reducing manual tasks and streamlining rollout across a large organization. 
• AI‑driven content and testing: Leverages AI to personalize training assignments and simulate phishing attacks based on user behavior and current threat trends. 

Cons: 

• Content fatigue: Training modules can feel generic or repetitive, which may lower employee engagement over time.
• Lag on emerging threats: Does not yet address newer phishing channels, such as protection against AI-driven deepfakes or vishing.

Hoxhunt

Hoxhunt is a phishing training platform that plugs directly into employees’ inboxes. It sends regular phishing emails that look and feel like real attacks and gives employees instant feedback. Training difficulty adjusts based on how well someone performs, so beginners get easier simulations while advanced users face harder ones.

All in all, Hoxhunt focuses on engagement through real-time feedback, behavioral scoring, and minimal admin upkeep.

Pros:

• Inbox-native training: Simulated phishing emails arrive in the employee’s normal inbox, so practice happens in the same environment as real threats.
• Gamification boosts engagement: Employees earn points and badges for reporting, which has led to high participation. “Phishing training actually felt fun,” one G2 reviewer said, 
• Measurable results: Customers report major improvements in reporting rates and lower click-through on real phishing.

Cons:

• Repetition risk: Some users mention that phishing emails can feel similar if run too often without variety.
• Admin learning curve: While end-user experience is smooth, the admin dashboard can take time to master.
• Narrow scope: Focuses mainly on phishing and reporting, and doesn’t cover broader security topics like compliance training.

TitanHQ

TitanHQ is best known for its email and web security products like SpamTitan (anti-spam), PhishTitan (anti-phishing), and WebTitan (DNS filtering). Its security awareness training platform, SafeTitan,, sits within this broader suite, giving organizations a single vendor for multiple layers of protection. 

SafeTitan focuses on real-time training. If an employee clicks a phishing simulation, they immediately get a short training module while the mistake is still fresh.

Other key features include multi-lure campaigns that deliver varied, unpredictable phishing emails, automated reporting with monthly summaries, and integration with tools like Microsoft 365 for quick setup. 

Pros: 

• Multi-lure campaigns: Sends varied, unpredictable phishing lures so staff can’t anticipate them.
• Compliance-ready: Supports frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, making it practical for both security teams and MSPs.
• Bite-sized training: Modules take 8–10 minutes, keeping engagement high without disrupting work.
• Strong customer ratings: Users rate TitanHQ highly, with a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Gartner.

Cons: 

• Less customization: You can’t tailor modules to company-specific risks, unlike some newer platforms. 
• Narrower scope: Strong for phishing and awareness but lighter on advanced threat simulations (e.g., AI-driven voice phishing) and broader security culture training.

Infosec IQ

Infosec IQ is a phishing and security awareness training platform that combines phishing simulations, videos, quizzes, and compliance-focused courses. It lets organizations tailor training by role or industry and provides reporting to track which employees or teams are most at risk.

Pros:

• Realistic phishing emails: Simulations resemble actual scams that employees might encounter, helping them practice identifying threats. Reviewers on G2 say this makes the training “feel real and useful.”
• Clear reporting: Dashboards display completion rates, present click rates, and identify which employees require additional support.
• Compliance support: Courses are mapped to standards like NIST and help with audits in regulated industries.
• Extra learning options: Can be upgraded to include hands-on labs and certification preparation for teams that require more in-depth skills.

Cons:

• Admin learning curve: Some users find the interface hard to navigate at first.
• Reporting gaps: Standard reports are good, but creating more detailed or custom reports takes extra effort.

Ready to strengthen your human firewall with phishing training? 

It might not be a fake invoice or a wire transfer request that trips up your team anymore. It could be a Slack message from a colleague sharing a “new doc,” or a text from HR asking them to reverify their benefits. The attack feels routine and blends into the day’s workflow, which is why people fall for it.

The lesson is clear: phishing training has to mirror the ways employees actually work and communicate. The strongest programs provide employees with practice in identifying the kinds of scams they are likely to encounter and reinforce learning the moment mistakes occur. 

When selecting a training platform, consider one that addresses today’s evolving threats. Adaptive Security is a strong option because it builds simulations around AI-driven emails, smishing, and vishing, while also giving leaders clear risk scores to track progress. 

Explore Adaptive Security’s simulations yourself with a quick demo to see how adaptive training works in practice.

Frequently asked questions about phishing training

Why is phishing training important?

Phishing is the most common way attackers break into companies. Technical defenses can block many threats, but some always slip through. Training helps employees spot suspicious emails, texts, or calls before damage is done. It turns people from the weakest link into an active line of defense.

What makes phishing training effective?

Effective phishing training programs use realistic simulations that mirror actual attacks, give instant feedback when mistakes happen, and reinforce learning regularly instead of once a year. 

Training also works better when it’s tailored to job roles and industry threats, paired with a simple way to report suspicious messages. Measuring click rates, reporting rates, and risk scores over time shows what’s improving and where more focus is needed.

How often should you conduct phishing training?

Training should be ongoing, not once a year. Short modules combined with monthly or quarterly phishing simulations work best. Frequent practice keeps employees sharp and builds habits that last, instead of fading after a one-time session.

How does phishing training differ from general security awareness training?

General security awareness covers broad topics like password hygiene and safe internet use. Phishing training goes deeper on one specific risk: teaching employees to recognize and report phishing emails, texts, or calls. 

What’s the best tool for phishing training? 

The best tool is one that reflects modern threats and adapts to the behavior of employees. Look for realistic simulations, instant feedback, and transparent reporting. 

Platforms like Adaptive Security stand out here, offering AI-driven phishing, smishing, and vishing simulations, as well as risk scoring that highlights leaders' biggest gaps. Take Adaptive Security’s self-guided tour to experience the platform’s capabilities firsthand.