Did you know that 43% of Canadian SMEs have already fallen victim to phishing attacks in 2025? Your employees are your first line of defense in cybersecurity—but they are also your most vulnerable link. That’s where Vigilance comes in. Our continuous phishing simulation platform helps you test, train, and protect your teams against real-world cyber threats. In this article, you’ll learn how phishing simulations work, what makes Vigilance unique, and the answers to some frequently asked questions.
What Is a Corporate Phishing Simulation?
A phishing simulation is much like a fire drill—but for email security. It is a controlled exercise designed to replicate real attacks and test how vigilant your employees are.
In practice, your staff receive simulated malicious emails that mimic the tactics used by cybercriminals. Their responses are then observed: Do they click the malicious link? Share sensitive information? Report the suspicious email?
These phishing simulations help identify weaknesses within your organization and provide targeted training to the individuals who need it most.
The Key Objectives of a Phishing Simulation
- Test your employees’ ability to recognize an attack
- Raise awareness of real phishing threats
- Measure your organization’s level of vulnerability using concrete data
- Continuously improve your cybersecurity practices
Why Choose Vigilance Instead of a Free Microsoft Tool?
Free tools often provide only occasional testing with little to no follow-up. Vigilance goes much further by offering continuous, automated phishing simulations delivered over time, along with customizable scenarios that adapt in difficulty for each employee.
You gain access to a real-time administrative dashboard that tracks click rates, reporting rates, and employee engagement. Each individual receives their own risk score. Vigilance also includes a cybersecurity training library, and with Vigilance+, employees gain access to Microsoft 365 video courses.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Criteria | Vigilance | Generic Tool |
Continuous simulations | Yes (automated) | No (occasional) |
Integrated training | Yes (Vigilance+) | No |
Customized reporting | Yes (detailed) | No (limited) |
Vigilance transforms awareness into a complete, continuous phishing simulation program—not just a one-time test.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phishing Simulations
How Do You Know If You’ve Been Phished?
Several warning signs may indicate a compromise: unusual account activity, emails sent without your knowledge, suspicious login alerts, or unauthorized changes to your accounts. If you notice any of these indicators, immediately change all passwords and contact your IT team. The faster you respond, the less damaging a real attack is likely to be.
What Are the Signs of a Phishing Email?
Phishing emails often share common characteristics: a manufactured sense of urgency (“Act now!”), an unknown sender or a slightly altered email address, disguised malicious links, unusual spelling or grammar mistakes, and requests for sensitive information.
When in doubt, never click. Instead, verify the request directly with the supposed sender using another communication channel to reduce your risk of falling victim to a phishing attempt.
How Often Should You Run a Phishing Test?
To maintain employee awareness, organizations should conduct phishing simulations monthly—or better yet, adopt a continuous approach like the one offered by Vigilance. Experts generally recommend between six and ten phishing tests per year, spaced 40 to 60 days apart. This regular cadence helps establish a reliable baseline while keeping cybersecurity top of mind for employees.
Adopting a solution like Vigilance means choosing peace of mind through proactive support and clear training pathways. As a result, you significantly reduce the risk of data breaches while strengthening your team’s cybersecurity skills.
So, are you ready to see your click rates drop and your level of protection soar?
Take Action Today
Don’t remain vulnerable to real-world attacks. Contact the experts at MS Solutions for a personalized demonstration of the Vigilance platform and discover how we can help secure your workplace environment.
Contact us for more information.
