What phishing is and how it works
Phishing is fraud aimed at obtaining personal data or access rights. Classic example: an employee receives an email "from the bank" warning about a dangerous operation with a login link. The link leads to a fake site, and the entered password goes to scammers. More sophisticated variants: spear phishing (targeted at a specific person), whaling (top executives), CEO fraud (fake email from a leader).
Recently phishing has grown more sophisticated: AI imitates voices, deepfake video calls, email templates that exactly match company branding. Traditional signs like "domain typos" or "strange grammar" no longer work โ AI has eliminated these errors.
Employee training
Training is the centerpiece of a comprehensive program. An annual slideshow isn't enough โ information is quickly forgotten. The most effective approach: regular short modules (15-20 minutes monthly), real examples, and active exercises. Employees need to see phishing signs and discuss actions in real situations.
Training topics: recognizing suspicious emails, checking links before clicking (mouse hover), verifying attachments, contacting IT when in doubt, never sharing passwords with anyone โ even leadership or IT. This last rule is critical โ a real IT specialist will never ask for your password.
Phishing simulations
Training gives theory, simulations give practice. Services (KnowBe4, Gophish, PhishMe) send fake phishing emails and track who clicked, who entered data. The goal isn't punishment but identifying weak points. Clicked employees immediately get a short reminder and additional training offer.
Simulations run at random times with varied scenarios: bank, courier service, IT password reset request, even an "urgent" email from the director. Click rates should decrease over time โ this is the main training effectiveness metric.
Technical email filters
Technology complements the human factor. Email filters work on three levels: domain (SPF, DKIM, DMARC prevent spoofing), content (suspicious words, links, attachments), reputation (sender not on blacklists). These three layers block most phishing before it reaches the employee.
Incident response protocol
An employee who got phished must know what to do: immediately notify IT, if password was entered โ change it right away, disconnect from network, wait for instructions. Don't punish those who report incidents โ otherwise employees start hiding them and situations worsen.
Sayt.uz Practice
Sayt.uz corporate clients receive free email protection consulting: SPF, DKIM, DMARC setup, adding filters to corporate mail servers, antivirus integration. Extended services include employee training materials and phishing simulation services. Contact our technical support.