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4 key factors that affect the cost of phishing simulations

Written by Lok | 9 January 2023 11:42

In general, phishing simulations can vary in cost from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the specific needs of the organisation. Some software vendors offer different pricing tiers or packages that allow organisations to select the level of service that best meets their needs and budget. Here are 4 key factors that can influence the cost of phishing simulations, they are:

1. Size of the organisation

2. Level of customisation

3. Level of support

4. Software providers

It is a good idea to shop around and compare prices from multiple providers to find the best deal.

Factor 1: Size of the organisation

The size of your organisation can affect the cost of phishing simulations in a few different ways. First, larger organisations may have more employees and different departments which can increase the cost of the simulation if the provider charges a per-user fee.

Larger organisations may also have more complex security needs. The complexity of the organisation's IT infrastructure will influence the resources and guidance needed to implement simulations effectively. All these will cause an increase in their expenditure on phishing simulations.

On the other hand, smaller organisations may have fewer employees, simpler IT infrastructure and security needs, which can make the simulation less complex and less expensive.

Factor 2: Level of customisation

The level of customisation you require for a phishing simulation can significantly affect the cost.

A phishing simulation that is highly customised, such as one that is tailored to an organization's specific brand and corporate language, will cost more than a basic, generic simulation. This is because it requires more time and effort to create customised content and tailor it to the organisation's specific needs.

Moreover, customisation may be necessary if you have unique security requirements or if you want to test specific scenarios or attack vectors that are relevant to your business. A highly customised simulation that is tailored to you will definitely cost you more compared to those standard simulations. 

There are many software choices available for customising phishing simulations. When choosing a phishing simulation tool, it's better to consider those that provide you with a certain level of customisation on your templates.

These options for customisation allow you to choose different phishing scenarios and corresponding landing pages to best suit your needs. You can also configure your unique settings, such as choosing a specific group of recipients or scheduling the emails to be sent at a particular time. 

Additionally, a highly customised simulation may also require more advanced technical capabilities, which can also increase the cost. Carefully consider whether you need these additional services or if they are worth the additional cost.

Factor 3: Level of support

The level of support that you choose for your phishing simulation can significantly impact the cost of the simulation.

Higher levels of support may include additional services, such as personalised training for your team, customised phishing templates, or more frequent reporting and analysis. These additional features and services may come with a higher price tag.

A higher level of technical assistance that is available to you will also increase the price. For example, some organisations may prefer to have more tailor-made support, such as on-site training and maintenance; others may want to have 24/7 technical support to make sure they can find a helping hand when they encounter any issues during the simulations.

The service charge with a high level of support will inevitably be higher compared to the standard level of support. If you are able to manage the simulation on your own and only need minimal support, this can help keep costs down.

Factor 4: Software providers

The provider you choose can also have an impact on the cost of the simulation. Prices can vary widely among providers, It is not necessarily the case that more expensive options are always better.

In some cases, a higher price may be justified by higher quality or more advanced features, but in other cases, it may not be. It's important to carefully consider the specific needs of your company and the value that different options will provide.

Separately, some providers may offer volume discounts if you purchase a large number of simulated attacks. This can help reduce the overall cost of the simulation. You can try to negotiate lower prices or take advantage of discounts or package deals offered by some providers.

If you are considering a phishing simulation provider, you might consider factors such as the quality and realism of the simulated attacks, the variety of attacks offered, customisation options, support and training, and volume discounts. It's a good idea to do your research and compare options from multiple providers before making a decision.

By weighing these factors against the cost of the service, you can make an informed decision about which provider is the best fit for your needs.

Sophisticated phishing simulations at a reasonable price

All in all, the cost of a phishing simulation will depend on your organisation's size, the specific features and services that you demand, as well as the provider you choose to work with. As an experienced cybersecurity software provider, usecure is well-known for offering sophisticated phishing simulation tests with well-rounded service at a reasonable price.

We take pride in being recognised for the value we provide to our users. G2, the popular software review website, has just awarded us with the 'Best Estimated ROI' trophy for Fall 2022 - demonstrating the contribution our partners feel we make to their solution stack. We aim to help you fight against cybersecurity threats in a cost-effective way. Try out our 14-day phishing simulation for free or book an on-demand demo to see how we can help protect your business from cyber-attacks.