There’s a new twist on an old problem.

You’ve heard of phishing attacks.  Who hasn’t, right?  Phishing is on the rise and is currently the number one reported cybercrime according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

So, what?  Everyone on your team is required to do training.  You’ve addressed the problem.  Everything’s good, right?

Wrong.  There’s a new twist.

Those same old scams you’ve been training your employees to spot are being replaced by AI-powered phishing, the kind that’s smarter, faster, and nearly impossible to recognize.

Here’s the wake-up call: 60% of users fall for these attacks. Think about that. Over half of your employees, no matter how much training they’ve had, are clicking on malicious links. And if you’re still relying on standard phishing tests to gauge your risk, you’re playing a dangerous game with your company’s future.

Traditional defenses are no longer enough.  Do you know what you should be doing to protect your organization, and why third-party assessments are your new best friend in the fight against AI-driven threats?

The Evolution of Phishing: Why AI Changes Everything

Gone are the days when phishing emails were riddled with typos and obvious red flags. AI doesn’t make those mistakes. It generates messages that look like they came from your most trusted colleagues or vendors. AI uses data from social media, public records, and even leaked information to tailor phishing emails specifically for your business.

Imagine this: an email arrives from your CFO, referencing a budget meeting you had last week. It’s casual, urgent, and asks you to review an attachment or click a link. Would you question it? Most people wouldn’t and attackers are counting on that.

Here’s the scary part: AI-powered phishing gets smarter every time it fails. If an attack doesn’t work, the AI refines its tactics until it does. It’s relentless, and it’s not going away.

Why Traditional Phishing Tests Aren’t Enough

If you’re running basic phishing tests—sending out fake emails to see who clicks—you’re missing the big picture. Sure, those tests might catch your most untrained users, but they’re useless against today’s AI-generated threats.

Think about what those tests don’t tell you:

  • What happens after someone clicks?
  • How far can an attacker get once they’ve gained a foothold?
  • Is your security program strong enough to contain the damage?

Phishing tests might give you a false sense of security, but they’re not exposing the real risks lurking in your organization. It’s like testing the brakes on a car but ignoring the fact that your tires are bald.

Understanding Risk: The First Step to Real Security

Here’s a better approach: don’t just test if someone clicks.  Test what happens after they click. Let’s face it: humans make mistakes. Even the best-trained employee will eventually fall for a well-crafted phishing attempt. The key isn’t preventing 100% of clicks (spoiler: that’s impossible). The key is limiting the damage once it happens.

Start by running controlled simulations that mimic real-world scenarios. What happens when an employee clicks a malicious link? Does your system detect the threat? Are credentials compromised? Is sensitive data exposed?

IMPORTANT NOTE: This exercise isn’t about blame. It’s about understanding risk, something every leader needs to prioritize. You can’t protect your business if you don’t know where your vulnerabilities are.

The truth is most companies aren’t equipped to evaluate their own security programs objectively. That’s where third-party assessments come in. Think of them as an outside expert giving your defenses a checkup. They dig deeper than your internal teams ever could, uncovering risks you didn’t even know existed.

Here’s why third-party assessments are essential:

  1. Unbiased Evaluation: They identify vulnerabilities without the blind spots that come from internal familiarity.
  2. Real-World Testing: These assessments simulate actual attacks, showing you exactly how your defenses hold up.
  3. Actionable Insights: They don’t just point out problems—they give you a roadmap to fix them.

If you’re serious about protecting your organization, third-party assessments aren’t optional. They’re a necessity.

Building a Resilient Security Program

AI-powered phishing isn’t going away, but you can protect your organization with the right strategy. Here’s what you should focus on:

  1. Simulated Attacks with a Purpose: Move beyond basic phishing tests. Track what happens after the click and close those gaps.
  2. User Training 2.0: Educate employees about advanced phishing tactics. Make them aware of the risks, not just the basics.
  3. Incident Response Planning: Assume someone will eventually click. Have a plan to detect, respond, and contain the damage.
  4. Regular Third-Party Assessments: Validate your security program with outside experts who can provide fresh perspectives and actionable advice.
  5. Continuous Improvement: Cyber threats evolve daily. Your defenses need to evolve just as quickly.

AI phishing attacks are smarter, faster, and more convincing than anything we’ve seen before. The old ways of defending against them (phishing tests, basic training) simply don’t work anymore. To stay ahead, you need a proactive approach that focuses on understanding and addressing real risks.

Third-party assessments are the cornerstone of this strategy. They provide the insights you need to protect your business, your data, and your reputation. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to take action before it’s too late.

So, what’s your next move? Will you wait for a breach to expose your vulnerabilities, or will you take the steps needed to secure your organization today?