Plan an authorized dental phishing simulation
SentryGuard Dental · OSINT Global Consulting
Published: · Updated:
A simulation gives a team a safe opportunity to discuss how it handles suspicious messages. It should be a learning exercise with clear boundaries.
Get authorization first
The practice manager should approve the audience, message and timing before anything is sent. Never use patient information, collect passwords or send to people outside the approved scope.
Pick a recognizable scenario
Use a routine dental workflow, such as a lab delivery notice or an insurance verification request. Explain the clues afterward and show how staff should verify the request using a known contact route.
Interpret the result carefully
Email security tools can open links automatically. An open or click is not proof of intent, competence or a breach. Review results in context and assign focused follow-up learning.
Write down the boundaries before sending
A useful authorization record names the responsible manager, included participants, approved scenario, delivery window and person who can stop the exercise. Agree how results will be used and who can access them. Check the plan with the practice’s IT provider so expected email filtering is understood. A request to review a simulation is not permission to contact staff or launch it.
Example: a fictional lab delivery notice
Describe a made-up message saying a lab delivery is delayed and asking the recipient to sign in. During the debrief, compare the sender and destination with the lab details already held by the office. Ask which established channel the team should use to verify the notice. Never imitate a real patient, request credentials or include real patient information. A discussion using a mock message can be useful even before an approved live simulation.
Debrief without blame
Explain what the message asked the recipient to do, which clues were available and how the local reporting process should work. Invite questions privately when appropriate. Do not rank staff publicly by click counts or assume a recorded click was made by a person. A mail gateway or security scanner may have followed the link. Review the evidence with the technical owner before drawing conclusions.
Measure a useful next action
Record the approved scope, delivery outcome, reporting observations and follow-up learning. Check whether staff can find the reporting channel and verify a request using known contact details. Assign an owner and review date for any confusing procedure. A simulation samples one situation; a clean result is not proof that a practice is secure, and a click does not establish a breach.