> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://herd-security.gitbook.io/herd-security-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://herd-security.gitbook.io/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/before-you-start.md).

# Before You Start with Voice Simulations

The three things that must be in place before your first voice simulation can launch: the channel, the consent attestation, and phone numbers.

Voice campaigns have a short setup checklist — three things, done once. After that every campaign is a few clicks.

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## Voice is enabled for your organization

The **Voice** channel is turned on per organization by Herd. If you don't see **Voice** listed under **Simulations** in the sidebar, contact your Herd representative about enabling it.

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## An admin completes the consent attestation

Before **any** voice campaign can launch, an admin has to complete the **Consent attestation**.

1. In the left-hand sidebar, expand **Simulations** and click **Voice**.
2. Click the **settings gear** at the top right of the page.
3. Scroll to the **Voice** panel and complete the **Consent attestation**.

<figure><img src="https://2286452423-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrNdsHrfHsFuaMzCbOD5q%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ffd61660697ea2cb7359cfb416b913adb8d6606a%2Fvoice-01-consent-attestation.png?alt=media" alt="The Voice panel of the simulation settings drawer, showing the consent attestation on file with a Withdraw attestation button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once it's done, the panel records **who attested and when**, and offers a **Withdraw attestation** button.

Until the attestation is in place you can still build campaigns, but no calls go out: the launch is refused and the campaign's [Results](/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/campaign-results.md#when-nobody-was-called) tab shows why.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Withdrawing consent stops future calls.** If the attestation is later withdrawn, every scheduled voice campaign moves back to **Draft** and nothing is called until consent is in place again. See [Managing Voice Campaigns](/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/managing-campaigns.md#withdrawing-consent).
{% endhint %}

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## People have a mobile number on their profile

A voice simulation sends a text and then places a call, so each person needs a **mobile number in the United States or Canada** on their Herd profile. People without a usable number stay visible in the audience picker but are shown with a reason and skipped at launch — see [Create & Launch a Voice Campaign](/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/create-and-launch-a-campaign.md#who-gets-skipped).

Phone numbers reach Herd the same way they do for [SMS simulations](/herd-security-docs/simulations/sms-phishing-smishing-simulations.md#searching-and-adding-recipients): from your identity provider sync, or added directly to the user's record.

{% hint style="info" %}
Numbers outside the US and Canada can't be called. For teams outside those countries, [WhatsApp phishing simulations](/herd-security-docs/simulations/whatsapp-phishing-simulations.md) accept any international number. See [Voice Simulation Limits](/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/limits.md).
{% endhint %}

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Once those three are done, pick a scenario in [Voice Attack Types](/herd-security-docs/simulations/voice-simulations/attack-types.md).