How to Train Your Team to Spot Phishing Attacks in 2025

Phishing attacks remain one of the top cyber threats for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) in Northeast Louisiana and beyond. In 2025, these attacks are more sophisticated than ever, with cybercriminals using AI-generated emails, text messages, and even voice calls to trick employees into sharing sensitive data or clicking malicious links. For businesses in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, or retail, a single phishing breach can lead to costly downtime, data loss, or ransom demands.

The good news? Your employees can be your first line of defense. At NEWROCKIT, we’ve helped countless Northeast Louisiana businesses strengthen their cybersecurity through employee training and advanced threat detection. In this post, we’ll share five practical ways to train your team to spot phishing attacks in 2025, ensuring your business stays secure.

Why Phishing Training Matters for SMBs

Phishing attacks exploit human error, not just technology. According to recent cybersecurity reports, over 80% of data breaches involve human factors, like clicking a malicious link or sharing login credentials. For SMBs in Northeast Louisiana, where budgets may not allow for large in-house IT teams, employee awareness is critical to preventing breaches.

A well-trained team can:

  • Reduce Risk: Spotting phishing attempts early prevents costly incidents.
  • Save Money: Avoiding breaches means no ransom payments or regulatory fines.
  • Boost Confidence: Employees feel empowered to protect your business.

At NEWROCKIT, we combine hands-on training with managed cybersecurity services to keep your business safe. Let’s dive into five ways to train your team effectively.


1. Teach Employees to Recognize Phishing Red Flags

Phishing attacks in 2025 are harder to spot, thanks to AI tools that mimic legitimate emails or texts. Train your team to look for these common red flags:

  • Urgent or Threatening Language: Emails demanding immediate action, like “Your account will be locked in 24 hours!”
  • Suspicious Sender Addresses: A domain like “support@micros0ft.com” instead of “@microsoft.com.”
  • Unexpected Attachments or Links: Files or URLs you weren’t expecting, even from a “known” contact.
  • Poor Grammar or Odd Phrasing: While AI has improved phishing emails, subtle errors may still appear.

Training Tip: Create a one-page “Phishing Red Flags Checklist” and share it with your team. Hold a 15-minute monthly meeting to review real-world examples of phishing attempts.


2. Run Simulated Phishing Tests

The best way to prepare your team is to test them in a safe environment. Simulated phishing tests send fake phishing emails to employees, tracking who clicks or enters credentials. These exercises:

  • Show employees how convincing phishing attacks can be.
  • Highlight areas where training is needed without real-world consequences.
  • Build muscle memory for spotting suspicious emails.

Training Tip: Partner with an MSP like NEWROCKIT to run simulated phishing campaigns. We use tools to customize tests for your business, followed by instant feedback for employees. For example, a Northeast Louisiana retailer we worked with reduced click rates by 70% after three months of simulations.


3. Make Training Short, Regular, and Engaging

Long, annual training sessions are easy to forget. Instead, use micro-training sessions to keep phishing awareness top of mind:

  • 5-Minute Videos: Share quick tips on spotting SMS phishing (smishing) or voice phishing (vishing).
  • Monthly Quizzes: Send a short quiz with a phishing email example and ask employees to identify the issue.
  • Gamification: Reward employees who spot phishing attempts with small prizes, like gift cards.

Training Tip: Host a quarterly “Phishing Awareness Lunch-and-Learn” for your Northeast Louisiana team. NEWROCKIT can provide a trainer to make it interactive and relevant to local businesses.


4. Integrate Phishing Training with Your Cybersecurity Tools

Training alone isn’t enough—pair it with technology to catch what employees miss. Tools like email filters, endpoint detection, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) act as a safety net. For example:

  • Microsoft 365’s Advanced Threat Protection can flag suspicious emails before they reach inboxes.
  • Managed detection and response (MDR) services monitor for unusual activity, like unauthorized logins.

Training Tip: During training, show employees how these tools work. Explain that MFA, which NEWROCKIT can set up, stops hackers even if credentials are stolen. This builds trust in your cybersecurity strategy.


5. Foster a Culture of Reporting

Encourage employees to report suspicious emails or texts without fear of judgment. A “see something, say something” culture ensures potential threats are caught early.

  • Set up a clear reporting process, like a dedicated email address (e.g., itsecurity@yourcompany.com).
  • Praise employees who report phishing attempts, reinforcing positive behavior.
  • Share anonymized examples of reported phishing emails to educate the team.

Training Tip: Include a “Report Phishing” button in your email client, which NEWROCKIT can configure with Microsoft 365. This makes reporting easy and integrates with our managed services for quick analysis.


How NEWROCKIT Can Help

Training your team to spot phishing attacks is a critical step, but it’s just one part of a strong cybersecurity strategy. At NEWROCKIT, we’ve been protecting Northeast Louisiana businesses since 2008 with:

  • Customized Training Programs: Tailored phishing simulations and workshops for SMBs.
  • Advanced Cybersecurity Tools: Email security, MFA, and 24/7 threat monitoring.
  • Managed IT Services: Proactive support to keep your systems secure and efficient.

Don’t let a phishing attack derail your business. Whether you’re in Monroe, Ruston, or West Monroe, NEWROCKIT is your local partner for cybersecurity peace of mind.

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