Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF]
Phishing simulation campaigns are a critical component of an organization's security awareness program, required under frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 AT-2 and ISO 27001 Annex A 6.3. Regular review of campaign results ensures that employees are receiving effective training and that the organization can demonstrate measurable improvement in human-layer defenses. This checklist guides the CISO or Security Analyst through a structured post-campaign review covering click rates, reporting behavior,
- Industry: Technology
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
- Role: CISO
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AT-2 (Literacy Training and Awareness), ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 6.3 (Information Security Awareness, Education and Training), SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria CC1.4 (Commitment to Competence), HIPAA Security Rule 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) (Security Awareness and Training)
Campaign Setup & Scope Validation
Verify that the phishing simulation was properly configured and scoped prior to launch.
- Was the phishing simulation campaign authorized by the CISO or security leadership before launch?
- Was the target employee list validated to include all in-scope personnel?
- Was the phishing template designed to simulate a realistic, current threat vector?
- Were IT and security operations teams notified to prevent false incident escalation?
- Was the simulation platform vendor approved under the organization's third-party risk management program?
Click Rate & Interaction Analysis
Review quantitative metrics related to employee interaction with the simulated phishing email.
- Has the overall phishing email click-through rate been documented?
- What percentage of targeted employees clicked the simulated phishing link?
- What percentage of employees submitted credentials or sensitive data on the phishing landing page?
- Were click rates broken down by department, role, or business unit?
- Does the click rate show improvement compared to the previous simulation campaign?
Employee Reporting Behavior
Assess whether employees correctly identified and reported the simulated phishing attempt.
- What percentage of targeted employees reported the simulated phishing email to the security team?
- Is there a documented and accessible phishing reporting mechanism (e.g., report button, alias) in place?
- Were reports submitted through the correct reporting channel as defined in the security awareness policy?
- Was time-to-report for phishing emails measured and recorded?
- Did the security team send acknowledgment communications to employees who correctly reported the simulation?
At-Risk Population Identification
Identify employees who engaged with the phishing simulation and require targeted follow-up.
- Has a complete list of employees who clicked or submitted data been compiled for remediation?
- Were repeat clickers (employees who failed multiple campaigns) identified separately for escalated intervention?
- Were privileged account holders (admins, executives) analyzed separately as a high-risk group?
- Have at-risk employees been notified of their participation in a simulated phishing campaign?
- Is personally identifiable information (PII) related to click data protected and access-controlled?
Remediation & Follow-Up Training
Confirm that targeted training and remediation actions have been assigned and tracked.
- Has mandatory remedial security awareness training been assigned to all employees who clicked or submitted data?
- Does the remedial training include specific content on the phishing technique used in the campaign?
- Has a completion deadline been set for remedial training assignments?
- Is training completion being tracked in the Learning Management System (LMS) or equivalent platform?
- Have department managers been notified of their team members requiring remedial training?
Program Metrics & Compliance Reporting
Review documentation and reporting requirements for audit and compliance purposes.
- Has a formal campaign results report been generated and stored in the compliance repository?
- Are campaign results included in the organization's security metrics dashboard for leadership review?
- Has the phishing simulation data been retained according to the organization's records retention policy?
- Are phishing simulation results referenced in the annual security awareness program review?
- Additional reviewer notes or observations from this campaign review?
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Why Use This Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?
This phishing simulation campaign results review checklist [free pdf] helps technology teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for ciso professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AT-2 (Literacy Training and Awareness), ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 6.3 (Information Security Awareness, Education and Training), SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria CC1.4 (Commitment to Competence), HIPAA Security Rule 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) (Security Awareness and Training). Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?
A Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF] is a standardized inspection form used by ciso to ensure consistent technology operations. It contains 35 inspection points organized into 6 sections. FREE phishing simulation campaign results review checklist PDF. Assess click rates, remediation, and awareness training compliance per NIST & ISO 27001.
How often should I use this technology checklist?
This checklist is designed to be completed per event. Regular use ensures compliance with NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AT-2 (Literacy Training and Awareness) and ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 6.3 (Information Security Awareness, Education and Training) and helps identify issues before they become problems.
Can I download this Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF] as a PDF?
Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 35 fields across 6 sections and typically takes 30-45 minutes to complete.
What compliance standards does this checklist cover?
This checklist helps ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AT-2 (Literacy Training and Awareness), ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 6.3 (Information Security Awareness, Education and Training), SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria CC1.4 (Commitment to Competence), HIPAA Security Rule 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) (Security Awareness and Training). Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.
How do I complete this technology inspection checklist?
Begin by completing the header fields for Campaign Name / ID, Review Date, Reviewer / Inspector Name, Business Unit / Location, and Targeted Employee Count. Work through each of the 6 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. The entire process takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
What are the key sections in this technology checklist?
This technology checklist is organized into 6 key sections: Campaign Setup & Scope Validation, Click Rate & Interaction Analysis, Employee Reporting Behavior, At-Risk Population Identification, Remediation & Follow-Up Training, Program Metrics & Compliance Reporting. Each section contains specific inspection points that ciso must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during technology inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 30-45 minutes to complete.
Who should use this Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?
This checklist is primarily designed for ciso working in technology operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that technology standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF] to maintain consistency and accountability.