Advisory Notice | May 10th, 2026
Phishing Simulations Remain Important Despite Employee Fear And Distrust
Recent cybersecurity reporting and security awareness guidance continue to emphasize the value of phishing simulations, while also raising concern about how employees may respond when testing feels punitive, embarrassing, or connected to job security. The issue is not whether phishing tests have value, but whether they are being used in a way that improves readiness without damaging trust.
What Happened
Recent security awareness guidance continues to identify phishing simulations as an important part of organizational security programs. These exercises allow businesses to test how employees respond to suspicious messages, measure reporting behavior, and identify where additional awareness may be needed before a real incident occurs.
At the same time, cybersecurity discussion has increasingly focused on the way phishing tests are perceived by employees. When simulations are viewed as traps, public failures, or threats to job security, they may create fear instead of learning. That fear can reduce reporting, increase defensiveness, and make employees less willing to engage with security teams.
This creates a practical challenge for organizations. Phishing simulations remain valuable because they help businesses understand exposure, behavior, and readiness. However, their value depends heavily on whether employees see them as part of a learning process or as a disciplinary exercise.
Why Small Businesses Are Paying Attention
Small businesses often depend on lean teams, shared responsibilities, and fast communication. That makes employee awareness important, but it also makes trust important. If phishing simulations create fear or embarrassment, employees may become less likely to report suspicious activity when it matters most.
Readiness
Phishing simulations can help businesses understand whether employees recognize suspicious messages and know how to respond.
Reporting
A useful program should encourage employees to report concerns quickly rather than hide mistakes or avoid involvement.
Trust
When testing feels punitive, employees may begin to see security as something done to them rather than something they help support.
Culture
The strongest programs treat phishing simulations as learning opportunities, not public failures or automatic disciplinary events.
The Concern Is Not Testing Alone, but How Testing Is Used
What We’re Watching
Security awareness providers and industry organizations continue to recommend regular phishing simulations as part of broader employee readiness efforts. The focus appears to be moving toward how these tests are used in practice, including whether they help employees learn, report concerns, and respond with more confidence.
The more important question for small businesses may be whether phishing simulations are helping employees build confidence and reporting habits. If testing creates anxiety, shame, or fear of job loss, the organization may collect results while weakening the trust needed for real security reporting.
OUR PERSPECTIVE
Security Testing Should Strengthen Trust
Phishing simulations can provide useful insight, but they should not make employees feel like security is waiting for them to fail. When testing is handled well, it helps people understand what to look for, how to respond, and where to ask questions. The goal should be stronger participation, not fear.
Fear Can Reduce the Value of the Program
If employees believe a failed phishing test could affect their job, reputation, or standing with leadership, they may become less open about mistakes. That can create a worse security outcome because real incidents depend on quick reporting and honest communication. A program that discourages reporting may weaken the very behavior it is meant to improve.
Small Businesses Need Practical Signals
For small businesses, phishing simulations should help reveal practical signals: whether employees recognize suspicious requests, whether they know where to report them, and whether follow-up is clear. The value is not in catching people. The value is in understanding where readiness is strong, where confusion exists, and where the business may need more clarity.
Shawn Skillman
Founder and Principal Advisor
ExaQuent
Sources and References
Strengthen Security Awareness Without Weakening Trust
Phishing simulations can help small businesses understand readiness, reporting behavior, and employee awareness when they are handled with the right context. ExaQuent can help your business think through how security awareness, testing, communication, and follow-up should work together so the process supports stronger participation instead of unnecessary fear.