Phishing is one of the most common ways attackers attempt to gain access to business systems and sensitive information, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Phishing awareness training helps employees recognise suspicious emails and links before they become security incidents.
In this guide, we will explain what phishing is, how it works, what employees should look out for, and how ongoing phishing training can help businesses strengthen their security awareness.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where criminals pretend to be a trusted person or organisation to trick someone into taking unsafe action.
Attackers normally try to convince you to:
- Click a malicious link.
- Open an infected attachment.
- Enter your username and password into a fake website.
- Transfer money
- Provide confidential information
- Change payment details
- Download malicious software
With the recent addition of AI to a cybercriminal’s armoury, now more than ever it is easier for criminals to find as much information as possible and craft emails that look identical to those sent internally within your organisation.
What is Phishing Awareness Training?
Phishing awareness training is a type of cybersecurity training that teaches employees how to avoid and report attacks. Phishing attacks are fake emails, messages or phone calls that are designed to trick people into revealing information such as passwords, bank details or company data.
Why Phishing Awareness Training Matters in 2026
In 2026, phishing awareness training matters more than ever before! Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to create highly convincing phishing emails, text messages, and even video messages that are difficult to distinguish from real communication. Employees are the number one target for attackers because they know that getting through a person is much easier than bypassing technology.
The Most Common Types of Phishing Attacks
- Email Phishing
The most common form of phishing, where attackers send emails that appear to come from a trusted source such as Microsoft, banks, deliveries, or colleagues. These emails often contain malicious links or attachments designed to steal credentials. - Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is a highly targeted and systemised attack. Attackers research in depth about individuals and organisations and use personal information to make messages appear more realistic. This research allows them to increase the chances of a successful attack. With the increase of AI, this is becoming more and more common as it’s much easier for these cybercriminals to scan the web. - Smishing
Smishing uses text messages instead of emails. Attackers send messages claiming to be from a trusted organisation, often creating a sense of urgency that encourages people to click malicious links. - Vishing
Vishing attacks occur over the phone, with criminals impersonating organisations, banks, and IT support teams. An increasing number of attacks are coming from individuals posing as IT support staff. Attackers can also use social engineering techniques and AI-generated voices to gain trust and obtain sensitive information. - QR Code Phishing
This is a type of attack that uses QR codes to direct users to fraudulent websites. Using many of the same techniques as traditional phishing, these attacks are designed to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and financial details. With the rise in QR code usage, these attacks can be particularly effective, as it is often difficult to verify where a QR code leads before scanning it, especially when done quickly.
What Should Employees Learn in Phishing Awareness Training?
Great training should allow employees to confidently identify and report phishing attacks before they cause any harm to the organisation.
They should be able to spot the following:
- Suspicious sender addresses
- Unexpected attachments
- Requests for sensitive information
- Urgent or threatening language
- Poor spelling and grammar
- Links that lead to unfamiliar websites
How Often Should Businesses Run Phishing Training?
Phishing training is totally dependent on the risk appetite of the business owner.
This is what we recommend below:
- Training during onboarding
- Annual refresher courses
- Monthly or quarterly phishing simulations
- Regular security reminders and updates
- Additional training when new threats emerge
What Should an Employee Do If They Click a Phishing Email?
Report It
If an employee clicks a phishing link, acting quickly will reduce the risk of a data breach. The NCSC recommends having a clear reporting process in place so incidents can be contained as quickly as possible.
Employees should report the incident to their IT team or a cybersecurity partner as soon as possible.
Determine What Happend
Make sure the employee makes a note of:
- Did they only click the link?
- Did they enter credentials?
- Did they provide any information?
- Did they download a file or application?
Making sure you get an idea of the interaction; this will help the IT team deal with it
Does Phishing Training Help With Compliance?
Yes!! Phishing awareness training plays an important role in helping a business meet compliance and cyber security requirements. While training is not usually enough to achieve compliance, it demonstrates that an organisation is taking steps to educate employees.
The UK Government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme allows organisations to educate users about cyber risks, including phishing. Regular training helps businesses strengthen one of the key areas of defence against these threats.
Our Recommendations for Phishing Training
Find the right phishing simulation software for your business.
How Effective Is Phishing Awareness Training?
Phishing awareness training can significantly reduce the likelihood of employees falling victim to phishing attacks
How Long Does Phishing Awareness Training Take?
Most phishing awareness courses can be completed in 15 to 60 minutes. Many organisations add to this with ongoing phishing simulations and annual refresher training.
Is Phishing Awareness Training Mandatory?
Phishing training is not legally mandatory in most cases; it is strongly recommended and supports compliance with frameworks such as Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, and GDPR security requirements.
