Yes, phishing tests matter — a lot. They help organizations assess their employees' ability to recognize and avoid phishing attempts, which are a major cause of data breaches and cyberattacks. Here’s why phishing tests are important:

1. Risk Awareness – Employees often underestimate phishing threats. Regular testing keeps them alert to suspicious emails and social engineering tactics.

2. Training & Improvement – Failing a phishing test is a learning opportunity. It highlights vulnerabilities and allows for targeted training to improve security habits.

3. Real-World Simulation – Phishing simulations mimic actual attacks, helping organizations understand how susceptible they are to real-world threats.

4. Reducing Human Error – Since most cyber breaches stem from human mistakes, phishing tests help reinforce best practices and reduce the risk of costly incidents.

5. Compliance & Security Standards – Many industries require security awareness training and testing as part of compliance (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2).

6. Measuring Security Posture – Organizations can track trends over time, seeing if employees improve or if additional security measures (like email filtering) are needed.

However, phishing tests should be done thoughtfully. Overly aggressive or punitive testing can damage trust and morale. Instead, they should be educational and supportive, focusing on improvement rather than punishment.