Even if you have the most robust cybersecurity measures in place, all it takes is one slipup by a human for an attacker to gain access. Persons both inside and outside the company pose the greatest threat to your company’s continuity and security. The largest risk may be overlooked if personnel aren’t given the proper training. An employee who recognizes a phishing email and reports it is much safer than one who clicks on the link and lets ransomware into the system.
Simply put, phishing is the biggest risk to your company today.
Phishing attacks are frequently the first step in the most high-profile data breaches. The goals of a phishing assault can include the theft of login credentials, the exfiltration of private information, or the infiltration of malware. It’s common for ransomware to be used in these assaults because it coerces the victim into paying the hacker. Even when these attacks involve social engineering, phishing emails are still effective.
The success of a phishing attempt depends on the recipient’s ability to distinguish a fake message from the real thing. Users who have not received phishing email training are at risk. Many cybercriminals make a living off of phishing, so they take great care to craft messages that appear legitimate to the unwary. In complex phishing attacks, the email will instruct the recipient to log in to their account by visiting a website that looks legitimate but actually attempts to steal their credentials.
Because it preys on carelessness on the part of its targets, phishing can be very effective. When workers are held fully accountable for their actions, mistakes are inevitable. These attacks can even fool administrators who are well-versed in cybersecurity. A single oversight is all it takes for a ransomware attack to completely cripple a company’s ability to access its data.
Cybersecurity Education and its Importance
Although there are several facets to cybersecurity education, the most crucial one is equipping workers with the knowledge to identify an attack. In order to cover all possible scenarios, training typically spans multiple sessions. Books, simulations, and online seminars are all possible training tools. As a result of this training, employees will have a foundational knowledge of cybersecurity and the need to safeguard private information.
Some phishing attempts don’t lump the targeted company in with hundreds of thousands of other recipients; rather, they target that company directly. If your company hasn’t provided its employees with any sort of training to protect against spear phishing assaults, you could be in for some serious trouble. These assaults forge messages to look like they came from a reputable company, complete with their logo and contact information. Credential phishing, in which people are tricked into giving out sensitive information like their company usernames and passwords, often uses messages like this.
Emails with malicious attachments are used in different types of sophisticated attacks. If the user has not been briefed on the dangers of opening malicious attachments or running suspicious scripts, they may not realize that they are putting their device at risk. Typically, ransomware or rootkits are downloaded after a user opens an attachment from a rogue sender. Both can have catastrophic effects for businesses. Data can be held hostage by ransomware until a ransom is paid, and an attacker can remotely access a device with a rootkit to access the network and install other malware.
Using phishing simulation techniques can stop data breaches.
Users can be taught to recognize phishing attempts through instruction, but simulations are much more powerful. During simulation exercises, numerous emails are sent to unsuspecting employees, and the number of opens, clicks, and successful credential compromises on a spoof corporate website are tracked.
The data is compiled so that the company can provide additional training to any staff members who register their credentials. Users that engage in link-clicking behavior can be given further training to improve their ability to recognize and avoid phishing attempts. With these numbers, businesses may better understand how important it is to teach their staff about cybersecurity.
Compliance-reliant businesses cannot afford for an employee to fall for a phishing scam. With the help of simulation tools, employees can learn how to spot phishing attempts and what to do about them. Companies typically request that employees do not open attachments or contact senders through email.
Email cybersecurity can help businesses prevent phishing by ensuring that harmful messages never reach their intended recipients. When phishing simulations and training are used together, businesses are much less likely to be vulnerable to the growing threat that malicious emails pose.
Instruction in Security Awareness in Real Time
With the help of Asteria’s Security Awareness Training, your company’s employees will be able to act as a first line of defense against cyberattacks. If you’re looking for a way to combat the rising tide of social engineering and sophisticated phishing attempts, look no further than Asteria, which offers a real-time, behavior-driven security awareness platform with integrated training.