Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has added a new vishing (voice phishing) awareness module to its Automated Security Awareness Platform (ASAP), in a strategic move to help organisations combat the growing threat of voice-based social engineering. The update comes at a time when vishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with global cases rising sharply in 2025.
The new module features real-world case studies, interactive lessons, and practical simulations to train employees to recognise and respond to vishing attempts. Unlike traditional phishing, which relies on deceptive links, vishing manipulates victims over the phone – often using urgency, fear, or authority to elicit sensitive information.
“Vishing is no longer just a threat to individuals – it’s increasingly being used to target organisations, leading to financial losses, data leaks, and reputational damage,” said Tatyana Shumaylova, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Kaspersky Security Awareness. “Our new module equips users with the knowledge to defend themselves against voice-based deception – a threat that is becoming increasingly sophisticated and personal.”
The scale of the threat is underscored by recent high-profile incidents. According to figures cited by Kaspersky, Allied Irish Banks (AIB) saw a 79% year-on-year increase in vishing attacks in early 2025, including one case where a business client nearly lost €41,000 during a scam call. In a separate disclosure by Google, an attack group labelled UNC6040 reportedly targeted Salesforce users at around 20 companies, using voice phishing to trick employees into downloading a malicious app, granting attackers full access to corporate systems.
Kaspersky experts explain that vishing attacks often begin with a phishing email that urges the recipient to call a fake customer service number. “Unlike phishing websites, which give users time to reflect, vishing calls rely on real-time psychological manipulation,” the company noted. “Attackers create panic, pressure victims to act fast, and exploit their confusion to extract critical information.”
The new vishing module complements Kaspersky ASAP’s existing suite of training tools and is now available in more than 30 languages, enhancing accessibility for multinational enterprises. The platform is part of Kaspersky’s broader effort to help organisations reduce human error, still the leading cause of cybersecurity breaches.
“With threats evolving, awareness must too. This update reinforces our mission to create practical, scalable cybersecurity education that empowers employees to respond intelligently under pressure,” added Shumaylova.
The update also reflects a growing industry trend: educating workforces not only about digital hygiene but also about behavioural awareness in real-time situations. With cybercriminals increasingly bypassing technical defences by targeting people directly, platforms like Kaspersky ASAP are becoming an essential layer of organisational resilience.
