New Delhi: As phishing threats become more personalised and AI-driven, cybersecurity firm eScan XDR has launched a new phishing simulation tool to help organisations assess and strengthen employee readiness against such evolving tactics.
Cybercriminals are increasingly using generative artificial intelligence to create phishing emails that mimic internal communication, industry-specific language, and organisational branding. Unlike earlier phishing attempts, these messages are often free of obvious errors, making detection more difficult.
These AI-powered attacks are designed to bypass traditional technical barriers, such as multi-factor authentication and biometric verification, by targeting human behaviour through psychological manipulation.
According to Shweta Thakare, Global VP of Sales and Marketing at eScan, threat actors are moving from brute-force attacks to impersonation strategies that manipulate trust.
“The challenge is that modern AI tools are making these deception attempts extraordinarily convincing,” she said.
The phishing simulator introduced by eScan XDR trains employees by sending realistic, deceptive emails to test their response. It tracks key metrics such as click-through rates and credential-sharing attempts, helping organisations understand where vulnerabilities lie.
Unlike conventional tools, this simulator adapts scenarios in real-time based on emerging threat intelligence, using information from public data leaks, social media activity, and recent industry events. The goal is to prepare employees for attacks they are most likely to face.
The tool generates detailed analytics for security teams, allowing targeted training at the department or role level. It avoids a one-size-fits-all approach by focusing on patterns of vulnerability and behaviour, which can inform ongoing awareness efforts.
Organisations using early versions of the simulator have reported higher phishing detection rates after repeated exposure to dynamic simulations. Experts note that continuous engagement tends to be more effective than periodic awareness programs.
