Let’s be honest: no one likes phishing simulations. The idea of being “got” or flagged for clicking the wrong link creates stress, shame, or worse – disengagement. But what if we stopped treating phishing tests like traps, and instead made them something people want to be part of?
That’s the mindset I brought to one of my most successful programs: an entirely opt-in phishing challenge. Instead of forcing simulations on employees, we invited them to receive a weekly phishing email voluntarily, and gamified the experience.
Here’s how it worked:
- Participants earned points for correctly reporting a simulated phishing
- Each week came with a mini leaderboard and optional feedback.
- At the end of each month, we recognized top performers and offered small incentives.
The change in tone was immediate. By flipping the script from “we’re testing you” to “you’re building your skills”, we saw an uptick in voluntary participation and, more importantly, a spike in real-world phishing reports.
Gamification didn’t just boost engagement, it reshaped how people feel about security. When you give employees ownership, transparency, and a bit of fun, they respond. The goal was never perfection; it was progress. And that’s precisely what we got.
June 30, 2025
