Re: Initial Phishing Simulation - Do you tell them first?

[Neal O'Farrell <neal () SCHOOLEDINSECURITY ORG>]

I don't come from a university background but have developed many phishing
campaigns over the years.

My preference has always been to make all employees aware in advance that
phishing is being phased in as part of an overall awareness improvement
campaign or culture.

Then start the campaign a couple of weeks after that communication - and
there may have to be a couple of communications first. I find that two
weeks is usually enough time for most employees to forget that a phish test
is on the way, but then remember, when reminded, that they were told it was
coming. A happy medium that doesn't impact baseline testing.

Most humans, especially at work, don't like to feel they've been tricked or
duped, made a simple mistake, made to look foolish etc. When employees get
angry that they're being unfairly (in their minds) tested, it hurts the
entire goal of a culture of vigilance.

Neal.

Neal O'Farrell
Schooled In Security
www.schooledinsecurity.org
neal () schooledinsecurity org
(925) 914 0248 (EST)

Security is fundamentally a battle of body parts - between the brain and
the index finger. For the enemy to lose, the brain must win.


On Wed, Jun 12, 2019 at 9:51 PM David Eilken <
david.eilken () domail maricopa edu> wrote:

> All,
>
> I have seen some threads on phishing in the past, but have a very specific
> question. When you started your phishing campaign/ program, did you notify
> your staff / faculty that the stimulations were coming (and not to worry
> about getting in trouble for failing)?
>
> I know KnowBe4 suggests not informing the population prior to doing a
> baseline. I've heard some pretty bad horror stories about the faculty not
> being too happy about getting a test phishing email sprung on them out of
> the blue. I personally don't see a huge upside to not letting them know
> what the broader campaign is about and how it supports the infosec program.
> I would be surprised if it would scewd the results much. We already send
> out notifications when a real campaign is active.
>
> Appreciate your input. Hope your enjoying the summer.
>
>
> Best,
> Dave
>
> --
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> DAVID EILKEN
> MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
> Information Security Officer | ITS
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