Phishing Difficulty Algorithm for Email Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phishing email training systems face challenges in accurately comparing the difficulty levels of test phishing emails across different campaigns, making it difficult to measure performance and establish target performance levels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for phishing email training that uses a Phishing Difficulty Algorithm (PDA) and a trained machine learning model to select and generate test phishing emails with specific difficulty levels, monitor user interactions, and adjust responses based on user susceptibility and security levels, allowing for accurate comparison and tailored training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If test phishing emails with varying difficulty levels are used in different campaigns, then the training coverage and challenge for employees is improved, but the ability to accurately compare performance across different campaigns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a difficulty level parameter that quantifies the characteristics of phishing emails. By assigning numerical difficulty levels based on specific attributes (urgency indicators, sender credibility, customization level, etc.), the system can compare performance across campaigns with different email difficulties by normalizing results against the known difficulty parameters, thus resolving the contradiction between varied training coverage and accurate performance measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring employee responses to phishing emails with known difficulty levels and using this data to adjust and refine the difficulty parameter model. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual user behavior and improve the accuracy of difficulty assessments, enabling better cross-campaign performance comparison while maintaining adaptive training coverage
2Measurement precision
If a standardized difficulty level is used for all test phishing emails, then performance comparison across campaigns is improved, but the ability to provide targeted and challenging training for different employee groups deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different difficulty levels and email characteristics to be assigned to different target populations based on their specific job functions, security clearances, and risk profiles. The system maintains standardized measurement frameworks for comparison while customizing the actual phishing email content and difficulty parameters for specific groups, thus achieving both accurate comparison and targeted training
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the difficulty level a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on the target population's characteristics and performance history. The difficulty parameter is not fixed but can be dynamically modified to match the specific needs of different employee groups while maintaining a standardized measurement framework that enables cross-group performance comparison
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual creation and analysis of phishing emails is performed, then customization and targeting are improved, but the productivity and speed of conducting multiple campaigns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down phishing email creation into modular components that can be independently selected and configured. The system divides the email creation process into separate elements (subject lines, body content, attachments, difficulty parameters) that can be independently managed and recombined, enabling automated generation of customized emails for multiple campaigns without manual intervention for each individual email
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling automated generation of phishing emails based on predefined templates and parameters. The system can automatically select appropriate email components, assign difficulty levels, and generate customized phishing emails for different target populations without requiring manual creation for each campaign, thus maintaining high customization while improving productivity through automation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for phishing email training are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for phishing email training may include: (1) receiving a target difficulty level, a target population, and a plurality of parameters for a test phishing email; (2) selecting a plurality of test email components from a library of test email components based on the parameters and the target difficulty level; (3) generating the test phishing using the selected test email components, wherein the test phishing email may include at least one of a hyperlink and an attachment; and (4) disseminating the test phishing email to the target population.