Beyond Click Rates
While click rates are commonly reported, they do not describe the full picture. Organisations need a more nuanced approach to measuring security-awareness outcomes.
Key Metrics to Track
1. Report Rate
The percentage of employees who correctly report phishing attempts is often more informative than click rate alone. A strong report rate may indicate:
- Active security awareness
- Familiarity with reporting procedures
- A security-conscious culture
2. Time to Report
How quickly do employees report suspicious e-mails? Earlier reporting can support faster triage and may reduce the period in which a real message remains uninvestigated.
3. Repeated Interactions
Review repeated interactions across comparable campaigns to identify groups that may benefit from additional, role-appropriate support. Use the metric for programme improvement, not individual blame.
4. Department-Level Performance
Different departments face different phishing risks. Track performance by department to identify high-risk areas needing additional focus.
Measuring Improvement Over Time
The most useful signal is change over time. Track trends across comparable, authorised campaigns to assess whether the security-awareness programme is improving.
Actionable Insights
Metrics should drive action. Use your data to:
- Prioritise training resources
- Identify groups that may benefit from additional support
- Provide leadership with evidence about programme performance
- Refine simulation difficulty over time
Review a controlled simulation workflow. GNSAC Phishing supports multi-channel campaigns, behavioural analytics and management reporting.