What’s your next move?

You’ve been running phishing tests on your staff and users, but before you pat yourself on the back for those “5% clicked” results, you should be aware that the game has changed. AI is rewriting the rules of the game, and your old methods just aren’t cutting it anymore. AI-powered phishing attacks aren’t your run-of-the-mill, “Hi, I’m a prince from Nigeria” scams. These are personalized, convincing, and disturbingly effective.

How effective? Try a 60% success rate.  That’s right. Studies show AI phishing attacks are tricking 60% of users into clicking. Think about what that means. More than half of the people you’re trying to protect would fall for these emails, and you wouldn’t even know it until it’s too late.

If you’re serious about protecting your clients, and your reputation, it’s time to rethink your approach and the role of third-party assessments as the secret sauce you didn’t know you needed.

AI Phishing Is Winning

The days of AI asking you to send something to a PaaayPaLL account are gone.  AI doesn’t make dumb spelling mistakes.  It can leverage data scraped from social media, emails, and public records and craft phishing messages that feel like they were written by someone you trust.

Picture this: an email lands in your inbox from your CEO. It references a conversation you had last week, mentions a project you’re working on, and asks you to check out a link. Would you pause and question it? Most people wouldn’t and that’s exactly what the attackers are betting on.

But here’s the scary thing: AI learns from failures. If one campaign doesn’t work, it tweaks the approach until it finds something that does. It’s relentless, and it’s only getting better.

The Problem with Traditional Phishing Tests

Your phishing tests aren’t designed to deal with this level of sophistication. Sure, they might catch people clicking on generic “Your account has been suspended” emails, but AI phishing isn’t generic. It’s smart. It adapts. And if your users or your staff don’t know how to spot these advanced tactics, your business is a sitting duck.

The worst part? Many MSPs think they’re covered because they run quarterly phishing tests. Those tests give you a false sense of security. They’re not showing you what happens when someone clicks a link. Where does that click lead? What happens next? That’s the real risk, and it’s time to dig deeper because as the blame game kicks into gear, organizations are beginning to ask whether the training being provided by their MSP is adequate.

Understanding Risk: The Key to Protection

So, what should you be doing?  Well, start with a simulation. Let users click the link, but this time, track the fallout. Where does that click lead? What data is exposed? How far can an attacker get before someone notices?

It’s not just about shaming people for clicking. It’s about showing them (and yourself) where the gaps are. What’s your response plan when someone clicks? Are your controls strong enough to contain the breach? The only way to truly know is to test it.

This is where third-party assessments come in. You need an unbiased, outside perspective to evaluate your security program. Think of it like getting a second opinion from a doctor. A third-party assessment digs into the details you might overlook, identifying vulnerabilities that could cost you big if left unchecked.

Building a Resilient Security Program

Protecting against AI phishing attacks requires more than just training your users. It’s about building a layered defense that includes:

  1. Regular User Training: Yes, you still need to teach users how to spot phishing attempts, but focus on advanced tactics, not just the basics.
  2. Phishing Simulations with a Twist: Don’t stop at “did they click?” Track what happens after the click to uncover hidden risks.
  3. Third-Party Security Assessments: Bring in experts to validate your security program. They’ll identify gaps, recommend fixes, and give you the peace of mind that your defenses are truly working.
  4. Incident Response Planning: Have a plan in place for when (not if) someone falls for an attack. Practice it. Refine it. Own it.
  5. Continuous Monitoring and Updates: AI evolves quickly. Your defenses need to keep pace. Regularly review and update your security program to address emerging threats.

Are you playing a dangerous game?

If you’re not taking AI-powered threats seriously, you’re playing a dangerous game. You're putting your clients at risk, AND you’re putting your own reputation on the line. When breaches happen, fingers get pointed, and the MSP who “should’ve known better” is often the first to take the blame.

By adopting a proactive approach, one that includes third-party assessments and a focus on understanding real risk, you’re not just protecting your clients. You’re protecting yourself, your team, and your business from the fallout of an AI-driven attack.

AI isn’t going away. It’s here, it’s powerful, and it’s targeting your weakest links. But with the right strategy and the right partners, you can stay ahead of the game. Stop relying on outdated phishing tests. Start digging deeper. Your business (and your clients) will thank you.

So, what’s your next move?