Quick Guide: Phishing Simulation Frequency

How often should you test your team with phishing simulations? It’s a common question, and while there’s no single "perfect" answer, one thing is clear: consistency is everything.

Deep Dive: Want the complete guide on scheduling, cadences, and building a 12-month simulation plan? Read our full guide: How Often Should You Run Phishing Simulations?.

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The Common Patterns

• Monthly (Recommended): Most mature security programs run tests every month. This keeps security top-of-mind and helps your team build a habit of spotting suspicious emails.
• Quarterly: A good starting point for smaller teams. It provides useful data without requiring too much setup time, though the "learning effect" may fade between tests.
• Yearly: Usually not enough. Security threats change every week, and testing only once a year means your team likely won't remember their training when it matters most.

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Why Frequency Matters

Think of security training like a gym workout. You don't get fit by going once a year. Regular, short tests help your team:

• Build Muscle Memory: Spotting a fake email becomes second nature.
• Stay Alert: Attackers love to strike when people are busy or distracted.
• See Progress: You can actually watch your company's risk score improve as the months go by.

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Our Advice

Start with what you can manage. If monthly feels like too much, start with every two months. The goal is to make security a normal part of your company culture, not a scary event that only happens once a year.

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Related Learning

• How to run a phishing simulation
• What is a phishing resilience score?
• How to reduce employee phishing click rates