In short: Attack Simulation Training alternatives make sense when you do not have E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, use Google Workspace, manage many tenants, or want policy sign-off, dark web checks or human risk scoring. Options we supply include usecure, HacWare, Breach Secure Now, Guardz and the training add-ons from your email security vendor.
First, what Microsoft does well
It is worth being fair before looking elsewhere. Attack Simulation Training has real strengths:
- No extra product if you already license Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2
- Payload automations that turn real phishing detected in your tenant into simulations
- Seven techniques, including OAuth consent and QR code variants, and built-in QR training
- The predicted compromise rate, which puts each result in context
- Native reporting in the Defender portal, plus Microsoft Graph API access
If those fit your needs and you have the licences, our set-up guide will help you get the most from it.
When an alternative may fit better
| Your situation | Why Microsoft may not fit | Options we supply |
|---|---|---|
| No E5 or Plan 2 licences | E3 gets only a trial subset and Business Premium's Plan 1 does not include it | usecure, HacWare, Breach Secure Now |
| Google Workspace email | Attack Simulation Training targets Microsoft 365 mailboxes | usecure (Google Workspace sync), IRONSCALES |
| Many separate tenants, for example a group of companies | Each tenant is managed separately; cross-organisation simulations are not supported | Multi-tenant platforms such as HacWare and usecure |
| Policy sign-off needed | No policy library or acknowledgement tracking | usecure uPolicy, Breach Secure Now |
| Dark web or breach monitoring wanted | Not part of Attack Simulation Training | usecure uBreach, Breach Secure Now |
| Human risk scoring | PCR scores payloads, not each person's wider risk | usecure uHealth, Hornetsecurity ESI |
| Another email security vendor in place | Reporting would be split across two consoles | Check Point, Hornetsecurity, IRONSCALES, Proofpoint Essentials |
| Small team wanting one managed platform | Needs Defender portal skills and time | Guardz, run by us as a managed service |
| Expert-led executive test | Self-service tool, not a consultancy | Bitdefender Phishing Simulation Service |
Standalone platforms
Dedicated platforms tend to automate more of the work. usecure enrols users automatically from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, adapts training to each person's gaps and adds policy management and breach monitoring. HacWare automates AI phishing and short video lessons, with white-label branding and multi-tenant management. Breach Secure Now bundles regular micro-training with simulations, dark web checks, policies and an employee portal.
These suit organisations without E5, those on Google Workspace, and anyone who wants the programme to run with minimal effort. See also security awareness training for small business.
Training from your email or security vendor
If you already pay for email security from another vendor, its training add-on can be simpler than adding Plan 2. Simulations reflect the threats that vendor sees, and reported emails feed straight into the same console. Options we supply include Check Point, Hornetsecurity, IRONSCALES and Proofpoint Essentials.
Likewise, if Sophos, Acronis or Webroot already protects your devices or backups, Sophos Phish Threat, Acronis Security Awareness Training or Webroot Security Awareness Training keep everything in one place.
Running Microsoft alongside another platform
You do not always have to choose. Some organisations keep Attack Simulation Training for payload automations based on real attacks, and use another platform for training content, policies or breach monitoring. If you do, plan one combined calendar so staff are not flooded with tests from two systems, and agree which platform's reports go to the board.
Whatever you decide, the security awareness training platforms compared table puts every option side by side.
How we help
We start with what you already own. If you have E5 or Plan 2, we will usually recommend getting full value from Attack Simulation Training first. If you do not, or it leaves gaps, we will recommend an alternative from the vendors we supply and run it for you as managed security awareness training. Pricing depends on users and term, so ask us for a quote.
Contact us for an independent recommendation.
How Forever Systems runs your awareness programme
We are vendor-independent. We compare the security awareness and phishing simulation platforms that suit your size, sector, Microsoft 365 licensing and existing security tools, recommend one, then run it for you so training and phishing tests actually happen month after month.
- Baseline phishing simulation to see where you start
- Platform selection and set-up, with single sign-on and automatic user sync from Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace where the platform supports it
- A year-round plan of short training modules, simulated phishing campaigns and policy sign-off, including new-starter induction
- Sector and role content for schools, charities, healthcare, legal, finance, public sector and high-risk roles such as finance teams and help desks
- Reporting for the board, auditors, insurers and Cyber Essentials, showing completion, reporting and click trends
- Joined-up defences: email security, MFA, endpoint protection and dark web monitoring so training is backed by technology
Forever Systems Ltd provides IT and cyber security services to UK organisations. Pricing depends on user numbers and platform, so ask us for a quote.
Want help choosing and running security awareness training?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Attack Simulation Training good enough?
For many Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 customers, yes. It offers seven simulation techniques, payload automations from real attacks, training campaigns and the predicted compromise rate. Alternatives make more sense if you lack the licences or need policies, dark web checks or multi-tenant management.
What is the best alternative to Attack Simulation Training without E5?
It depends on your needs. usecure suits organisations wanting automation, policies and breach monitoring; HacWare suits a hands-off programme; Breach Secure Now bundles training with dark web checks and policies; Guardz suits small businesses that want one managed security platform.
Can Attack Simulation Training be used with Google Workspace?
Attack Simulation Training targets mailboxes in your Microsoft 365 organisation, with on-premises Exchange supported at reduced reporting. For Google Workspace mail, consider a platform such as usecure, which syncs users from Google Workspace.
Can we use Attack Simulation Training and another platform together?
Yes, but plan one calendar so staff are not over-tested, and decide which platform's reports are your official record for the board and insurers.