Anti Phishing

Today, as part of the Business Communication Security campaign, we are diving one level deeper into the world of Anti Phishing and specifically for E-Mails.

In both, the business world and our personal lives, communication plays a crucial role. We often find ourselves trusting information without question when it seems to come from a reputable source. However, we also need to be cautious and skeptical of subtleties, as we often struggle to identify their true origins.

"Regardless of the situation, it is our responsibility to utilize the available tools and methods to enhance communication security measures."

Table of Contents

• Statistics

• To Be Checked

• Conclusion

Statistics

(sources: Kaspersky, mimecast, statista)

Several security companies, such as Kaspersky and Mimecast, have reported that approximately half of all Emails sent are considered SPAM, which includes phishing attempts. Furthermore, an alarming 90% of corporate security breaches can be attributed to phishing attacks. In fact, the number of such attempts has increased by over 50% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

These statistics are truly alarming, considering that a significant number of these incidents could have been avoided if users were trained in detecting fraudulent activities. Additionally, it is crucial for IT administrators to implement proper and continuous security measures to minimize vulnerability to such attacks. Also, I strongly urge business owners to invest in these strategies to safeguard their own businesses.

To Be Checked

Even with limited resources, there are numerous measures that can be implemented. It is surprising to see that many companies have yet to protect their domains through DMARC. Additionally, SPF and DKIM records are often overlooked, despite being considered standard security practices.

Here are some essential steps to ensure secure email communication:

1. Ensure that you have existing and valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in place.
   
2. Make sure your anti phishing policies are active, updated, and working effectively.
3. Link and attachment inspection is enabled to identify any potential threats.
4. Provide regular user training, to educate employees about phishing and other fraudulent activities.
5. Establish an internal procedure for submitting suspicious emails for further investigation.
6. Implement user impersonation protection measures to prevent internal confusions.
7. Conduct internal phishing attack simulations to assess the preparedness of your employees.
8. Enforce strict quarantine rules to isolate and analyze potentially malicious emails.
9. Consider email encryption and signing.

There are various other industry standards, such as identity protection mechanisms, that will greatly enhance your overall protection shield. It's important to understand that addressing these security concerns is an ongoing process, rather than an one-time quick fix. Time doesn't stand still, and the threat of cybercrime is a powerful force that must be combated diligently every single day.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is evident that this topic has been extensively covered in various articles, and it will continue to be a crucial subject to maintain awareness. Emphasizing the importance of secure communication is not a choice but the fundamental basis for building trust in relationships. It is our utmost responsibility to safeguard sensitive information, promote compliance, mitigate risks, and foster efficient collaboration, all of which contribute to instilling confidence in our customers and colleagues.