Phishing continues to be one of the most ongoing and harmful risks to company security. Even with better security software and firewalls, people making mistakes still pose the biggest weakness in the cybersecurity chain. Bad guys online take advantage of this weak spot by creating tricky emails, messages, and websites to fool workers into giving away private info or letting them in without permission.

To fight this problem, companies need to focus on teaching their staff. Getting employees ready to spot and handle phishing tricks isn’t just about tech—it’s a key part of the plan. Here are five useful tips to give your team the know-how and awareness to spot phishing tactics well.

Make Training Real and Based on Real-Life Situations

Boring talks and vague warnings don’t stick in people’s minds. Workers are much more likely to remember info when they can link it to real-life situations. Rather than just listing warning signs, show phishing tricks through hands-on demos or examples based on things that happened.

Take this approach: Display a fake email that looks like a common phishing trap—like a bogus bill from a supplier you know—and guide staff through spotting fishy stuff like weird website links pushy language, or files you weren’t expecting. This practical method helps people grasp the signs and build a mental list to check future messages against.

Scenario-based training also gives staff a chance to feel the mental pressure that phishing tries often use, like urgency or fear of missing out. By practicing responses in a safe setting, they gain confidence and are less likely to fall for real attacks.

Make Training Fit Each Role

Different employees face different phishing risks. A finance manager might get fake requests to transfer money, while a marketing coordinator could receive false offers to work together. Shaping training for specific roles makes sure each team member learns to spot the types of phishing tries that matter most for their job.

Begin with a risk assessment to figure out which departments face the biggest phishing threats. Next, create training programs that tackle these specific risks. For example, train HR workers to catch fake job applications or bogus requests for worker info, while IT staff need to watch out for schemes trying to steal login details.

Training tailored to each role not works better but also shows that the company values how every worker helps keep things secure. This feeling of responsibility can boost involvement and alertness across the whole organization.

Try Different Ways to Reach People

Phishing isn’t just about emails anymore. Bad guys now use texts social media, and even phone calls to trick people. To get staff ready, training needs to cover all these different attack methods.

Give examples of phishing attempts on different platforms, like text messages claiming to be from your bank fake LinkedIn connection requests, or phone calls from people pretending to be tech support. Push your staff to think about any message they didn’t ask for, no matter how it comes in.

Strengthen this training in many ways. Put up posters in break rooms, add short videos to company newsletters, and do quick pop quizzes during team meetings to help people remember the key points. The aim is to build a workplace where everyone thinks about cybersecurity all the time, not just during one yearly training session.

Boost Learning with Real-Time Exercises

One way to check and strengthen awareness about phishing is to run fake phishing campaigns. These drills involve sending made-up phishing emails to staff and seeing how they react. People who click links or type in login details can be sent to a training lesson, while those who flag the email can get a pat on the back for being alert.

These real-world tests give useful info on how well the training is sticking and where more help might be needed. They also keep workers on high alert, reminding them that phishing threats don’t stop and keep changing.

To have the biggest impact, pair these simulations with in person cyber security training classes. Face-to-face workshops give room for deeper talks, quick feedback, and learning from peers. Staff can ask questions, share what they’ve seen, and pick up tips from each other in a team setting. This mix of methods brings together the real feel of live drills with the depth you get from personal teaching.

Create a Culture That Backs Reporting

Even the best-trained workers might sometimes fall for a phishing trick. What counts most is how fast and sure they are when they report it. Companies need to build a culture where people feel good about speaking up, not scared of getting in trouble.

Give your team simple ways to flag suspicious messages. Set up a “Report Phishing” button in your email system or create a special Slack channel for security worries. Act when people report issues and thank them for being watchful.

Leaders have a big impact on setting the example. When bosses talk about phishing risks and share real examples of reported attempts, it makes these conversations normal and reduces shame. Team members should feel they can speak up knowing their actions help keep everyone safe.

Conclusion

Teaching workers to spot phishing tricks isn’t a one-off task—it’s a long-term commitment to make the company stronger. When you make the training relevant tailored to specific jobs, and delivered through different channels, and when you back it up with real-world practice and a culture that supports learning, companies can cut down their chances of falling for phishing scams. Putting money into teaching employees doesn’t just boost security—it also builds trust, makes people more confident, and keeps the business running .