Why Annual Phishing Training Fails, and What Works Instead

Phishing awareness training for employees

A once-a-year slide deck and a quiz will not stop your team from clicking a fake GST refund link. People forget quickly, the examples rarely match real Indian scams, and completion certificates say nothing about how people behave. Here is a short summary of a better approach.

What changes behaviour

  • Short and regular: five to ten minute lessons every month or quarter, one idea at a time
  • Local examples: fake electricity disconnection notices, tax refunds, vendor bank-change requests, and senior leaders impersonated on WhatsApp
  • Your team's languages: Hindi and Marathi alongside English
  • Role-based: payment fraud for finance, malware CVs for HR, impersonation for leaders

Make reporting easier than hiding

A one-click "Report Phishing" button, a quick thank-you for every report, and a clear message that nobody gets punished for clicking. The goal is fewer clicks and more reports over time.

Back it up with technology

Multi-factor authentication, SPF, DKIM and DMARC for email, link scanning, and a phone check before any payment or vendor detail changes.

See the full 12-month training plan and metrics to track: Phishing Awareness Training That Works

Published by Affix Center, a Mumbai-based IT services company working with government bodies, enterprises and SMEs. Learn more about our cybersecurity services.

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