New research from Sagiss, a provider of IT and managed security services, shows that workplace phishing is becoming significantly harder to detect as AI enhances the tone, grammar, and realism of fraudulent messages. Many employees continue to click links, reply to messages, or verify requests only after taking action.
For the 2026 Sagiss Managed Security Report: AI Phishing in the Workplace, Sagiss partnered with Pollfish to survey 500 desk-based workers who use email or chat as part of their jobs. The study highlights how AI is improving the quality of phishing messages, making them blend more seamlessly into everyday workplace communication.
While awareness of phishing risks exists, many employees operate in high-pressure environments characterized by urgency, multitasking, and expectations of after-hours responsiveness. This combination increases vulnerability even when workers know they should slow down and verify unusual requests.
The survey reveals that phishing risk stems from both improved message quality and the pace of modern work. Key behaviors include employees frequently acting first and verifying later:
Additionally, 68% check work email or chat outside normal business hours at least sometimes, and 56% feel pressure to respond after hours at least sometimes.
“AI is changing the way phishing looks and feels, but the deeper issue is that employees are making decisions under constant pressure,” said Travis Springer, President at Sagiss. “Cybersecurity leaders need to account for the reality of modern work, where people are moving quickly, responding across channels, and often making judgment calls before they have fully verified what is in front of them.”
Employers may need to complement traditional training with workflow changes that reduce rushed decision-making to better address these evolving risks.
About Sagiss
As Dallas-Fort Worth's first managed service provider (MSP), Sagiss was founded in 1992 to give businesses a better way to handle IT planning, maintenance and support. With origins in the accounting world, Sagiss provides a unique perspective on the critical relationship between an organization's information technology and its bottom line. For three years in a row, Sagiss has been named to the MSPmentor® 200, an annual ranking of the world's most progressive MSPs.
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