Ideally, you should run phishing simulations monthly. Consistency is crucial for habit formation. Occasional tests are seen as "gotcha" moments, whereas regular testing normalizes skepticism.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Quarterly: Better than nothing, but leaves long gaps where guard goes down.
Monthly: The Gold Standard. Keeps users alert without overwhelming them.
Weekly/Daily: Too aggressive. Leads to 'alert fatigue' and annoyance.
Avoiding Fatigue
1Vary Templates
Don't just use 'Password Expired'. Use shipping, HR, and news lures.
2Vary Difficulty
Mix obvious fakes (confidence builders) with sophisticated spear-phishing.
3Target Groups
Test high-risk groups (C-Suite, Finance) with more complex scenarios.
Adjusting Strategy
Data-Driven Decisions
If click rates are consistently low (<2%), don't stop specific testing—increase the difficulty. If rates remain high, keep the frequency steady but focus on remedial education.
Key Takeaway
"Don't be afraid to test often. Real attackers don't wait for a quarterly schedule. Your simulations prepare your team for the reality of the daily threat landscape."
