Implement and Configure Attack Simulation in Microsoft Defender.

Introduction:

Attack Simulator is a powerful tool designed to strengthen cybersecurity defenses within organizations. This innovative platform allows users to simulate real-world phishing attacks, empowering teams to identify, respond to, and mitigate potential threats. Let’s explore how this simulator works and how it can help enhance cybersecurity awareness and readiness across your organization.

Create Attack Simulation

1. In Microsoft Edge, open a new browser, and navigate to the Microsoft Defender portal.
2. From the left navigation menu expand Email & collaboration and select Attack simulation training.
3. On the Attack simulation training blade, select the Simulations tab.
4. On the Simulations tab, select + Launch a simulation to start the new simulation wizard.

5. Select the social engineering technique you wish to use for this simulation and click on Next. In this scenario, I have selected Credential Harvest.

6. On the Name simulation page, configure the following settings and click on Next.
   • Name : Input an informative title for the simulation

7. On Select payload and login page blade select Renew Office 365 subscription and click on Next.

Note: For built-in payloads, the value is Global. For custom payloads, the value is Tenant.

8. On the Target users page, you can add users or groups to the simulation, choose one of the following options:
   • Include all users in my organization
   • Include only specific users and groups
     In my case, I have only one user, so there is no need for me to limit the attack simulation to groups or a specific user. Therefore, I targeted all users in the organization

9. Select Next on Exclude users page.

10. On the Assign training page, Select Microsoft training experience from the dropdown and select Assign training for me. Select the Training Due Date for the Simulation and click on Next.

11. On the Selecting phish landing page, you configure the web page that users are taken to if they open the payload in the simulation.
    • Select Use landing pages from the library
    • Payload indicators: Select the checkbox of the Add payload indicators to email to help users learn how to identify phishing email.
    • Select Microsoft Landing page Template 1 and click on Next.

12. On the Select end user notification page, select Microsoft default notification:
    The notifications that users will receive are shown on the page select the following option.
    • Microsoft default positive reinforcement notification: Deliver during Simulation
    • Microsoft default training reminder notification: Optional
    • Click on Next

13. On the Launch details page, you choose when to start and end the simulation. We’ll stop capturing interaction with this simulation after the end date you specify.
    • Choose one of the following values:
      • Launch this simulation as soon as I’m done
      • Schedule this simulation to be launched later
    • The default value for Configure number of days to end simulation after is 2 days, which is also the minimum value. The maximum value is 30 days.
    • If you select Enable region aware timezone delivery, the simulated attack messages are delivered to users during their regional working hours.
14. When you’re finished on the Launch details page, select Next.

15. On the Review simulation page, you can review the details of the simulation and then click on Submit.

From the end user’s perspective:

Open Web Outlook and check if you have received the email as shown below

Open the email that contains the attack simulation and click on the URL provided in the email to sign in.

After entering our test user credentials, the following page will appear.

In this case, the simulation was successful, and the user needs to be more aware. Therefore, a training will be assigned to the user. The user will receive an email assigning the training to them as follows.

Conducting a simulated phishing attack serves as a proactive step to boost cybersecurity awareness and preparedness within an organization. Through the simulation of authentic phishing scenarios, users can undergo training to adeptly identify and respond to potential threats. This initiative significantly bolsters the organization’s security posture by equipping users with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect and evade phishing attacks effectively

Congratulations on completing the Microsoft Defender Attack Simulation!

Conclusion:

Microsoft Attack Simulator is a valuable tool for boosting our organization’s cybersecurity. By running simulated phishing attacks, it helps our team recognize and respond to potential threats better. This means we’re better prepared to protect our data and systems. Using this tool regularly keeps us on our toes and builds a stronger culture of cybersecurity awareness across our organization. With cyber threats on the rise, the Microsoft Attack Simulator is a key part of our defense strategy, helping us stay safe in today’s digital world