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 does the Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Campaign Setup & Scope Validation, Click Rate & Interaction Analysis, Employee Reporting Behavior, At-Risk Population Identification, Remediation & Follow-Up Training, Program Metrics & Compliance Reporting. It is designed for technology operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Phishing Simulation Campaign Results Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for CISO professionals in the technology industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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