Why Phishing Still Works
Phishing remains one of the most reliable entry points for attackers. According to IBM's X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, phishing was involved in 41% of initial access incidents. It works because it targets people, not systems. A convincing email that tricks one employee into clicking a link or entering credentials can give an attacker everything they need to get in.
Technical controls help, but they can't catch everything. Employees who know what to look for are your last line of defense, and also your most reliable one when properly trained. The challenge is that most people don't know how susceptible they are until they're tested.
What Simulated Phishing Does
Simulated phishing sends realistic, safe test emails to your employees that mimic the tactics real attackers use: fake invoice requests, urgent password reset notices, spoofed login pages, and other common lures. When an employee clicks or submits credentials, they receive immediate training rather than a real consequence.
Over time, repeated simulations paired with targeted training drive measurable behavior change. Organizations that run consistent programs see phishing susceptibility drop by more than 40% within 90 days and up to 86% after a full year of training.
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How the Program Works
Effective simulated phishing isn't a one-time test. It's a continuous program that evolves alongside the threat landscape and your team's awareness. STACK manages the full program so you get consistent results without the administrative overhead.
Realistic Simulations
Test emails mimic real-world phishing tactics including credential harvesting, malicious links, fake invoices, and spoofed internal communications.
Immediate Training
Employees who click receive instant, in-the-moment training on what they missed and how to spot it next time, reinforcing lessons when they're most impactful.
Reporting and Tracking
Click rates, reporting rates, and employee risk scores are tracked over time so you can see progress and identify employees who need additional attention.
Ongoing Campaigns
Regular campaigns keep employees alert year-round and adapt to new attack patterns, so training stays current with the threats your team actually faces.
What Gets Tested
Attackers use a variety of lures depending on who they're targeting. Simulations cover the full range of common tactics so your employees are prepared for what they'll actually encounter, not just the most obvious phishing attempts.
Scenarios include credential harvesting pages that mimic Microsoft 365 or Google logins, fake invoice and payment requests, urgent IT or HR notices, spoofed executive communications (business email compromise), and malicious attachment simulations. As AI-generated attacks become more convincing and harder to detect, keeping your team's instincts sharp matters more than ever.
Paired with Security Awareness Training
Simulated phishing works best when it's part of a broader security awareness program. Testing alone shows you where the gaps are. Training closes them. STACK's platform combines phishing simulations with video-based security awareness training, knowledge checks, and progress tracking so employees build real skills over time rather than just passing a one-time test.
The combination also supports compliance. CMMC, HIPAA, and cyber insurance policies increasingly require documented security awareness training. Regular phishing simulations and training completion records provide the evidence auditors look for.
Find Out How Your Team Would Do
Most businesses are surprised by how many employees click on a well-crafted phishing test. Knowing where your team stands is the first step toward fixing it. STACK can run a baseline phishing simulation and show you exactly where your exposure is before a real attacker finds out first.