Let’s face it—nobody likes being tricked, especially by someone lurking behind a screen, trying to steal sensitive company data or your employees’ personal information.
Did you know? Phishing is the most common data breach vector, according to IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report; representing 15% of all security breaches, costing companies an average $4.88 million.
Phishing scams are believed to have begun in the mid-1990s following a hijacking of AOL email and instant messenger accounts; by the early 2000s, they had grown to target financial systems and commerce sites.
With so much at stake, it’s fair to say that phishing is a whole-company, keep-your-eyes-open, no-clicking-on-that-sketchy-link kind of situation. The question is, how do you keep your team from falling for the bait?
We’ve got six strategies to get you started…
1. Train Like a Cybersecurity Ninja: Knowledge is Power
Regular cybersecurity training is your secret weapon. Think of it like an intensive workout —no one’s thrilled about it, but pumping iron strengthens your defenses.
Implement Simulated Phishing Drills
Fake phishing emails can help test and train employees. Think of these drills as cybersecurity fire drills—without alarms, but with plenty of facepalms when someone clicks an “obviously” suspicious link. Regularly conducting these exercises will make employees more vigilant and capable of spotting phishing attempts in real scenarios.
Make Learning Engaging
Ditch the dull PowerPoints and make training interactive. Gamify security awareness programs with real-world examples, quizzes, and even small incentives for spotting phishing attempts. A little humor—like cybersecurity memes—can go a long way in making security awareness stick.
The Mighty Shield: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If phishing were a medieval battle, MFA would be your castle’s moat. Even if attackers steal someone’s password, they’ll hit a wall (or moat) because they don’t have the second key—whether it’s a code from an app, biometric verification (fingerprint or facial recognition), or other authentication factor. Yes, two-factor authentication (2FA) is lesser-pronged version of MFA. As annoying as it is, it does help cut down on abuse attempts.
- Pro Tip: Encourage the use of authentication apps over SMS-based codes, which can be vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.
Why SMS-Based MFA Isn’t Enough
While any form of MFA is better than none, authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator are more secure than SMS-based verification, which can be vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks. Encourage employees to use app-based or biometric authentication whenever possible and never give out their MFA codes to people they do not personally know.
3. Passwords: Make them Strong Like Bull.
Weak passwords are like leaving your office door unlocked with a sign that says, “Free stuff inside.”
Enforce Strong, Unique Passwords
Encourage employees to use unique and complex passwords for every account. Gone are the days of “password123.” Please, we beg of you! Instead, opt for passphrases—longer, easy-to-remember phrases mixed with symbols and numbers. Did you know that an 18 character password with numbers, mixed case letters, and symbols would take potentially 26 trillion years for an automated system to brute force? The stronger the better.
Use Password Managers
Password management tools like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden help employees generate, store, and retrieve strong passwords without the risk of forgetting them or writing them down on sticky notes (which, let’s be honest, we’ve all seen happen).
Change Passwords Occasionally
We know it’s painful to try to remember your password, but changing your password from time to time does ensure that if your information is leaked, you can stay ahead of the curve and keep your accounts safe. Using a password manager can help you keep track of all of your passwords and the last time they were changed.
4. The Buddy System: Reporting Suspicious Activity
Let your employees know that they (not the IT guys) are the front line of defense. Make it easy (and even rewarding) to report suspicious emails:
Create a Clear Reporting Process
A simple “Forward to IT” or “Report Phishing” button in email clients can work wonders. The more seamless the process, the more likely employees will report phishing attempts instead of ignoring them.
No Shame in this Game!
People make mistakes—phishing scams are designed to trick even the most cautious individuals. If someone clicks on a malicious link, create a culture where they feel safe reporting it immediately rather than hiding the mistake out of fear. The faster an incident is reported, the less damage it can do.
5. Keep Your Digital Doors Locked: Regular Updates
Cybercriminals love outdated software—it’s like an open invitation. Think of an unpatched system as a rusty lock on a high-security vault. It won’t take much to knock it loose and gain entry. That’s why you want to ensure all systems, browsers, and apps are updated regularly to shore up your defenses.
Enable Automatic Updates
Better yet, take the time to set all systems, browsers, and apps to update automatically. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so keeping everything up to date is a critical layer of defense.
Implement Patch Management
Your IT team should maintain a structured schedule for rolling out security patches. Unpatched software can be the weak link that allows an attacker to infiltrate your network.
6. Eyes on the Prize: Continuous Monitoring
When it comes to cybersecurity, vigilance is non-negotiable. Use advanced threat detection tools to monitor network activity and detect anomalies.
Invest in Email Filtering
Strong spam filters can block many phishing attempts before they even reach employee inboxes. Solutions like Microsoft Defender, Proofpoint, or Mimecast help filter out suspicious emails before they become a threat.
Utilize Anomaly Detection Tools
Monitor for signs of compromised accounts, such as logins from unusual locations or unauthorized changes to sensitive data. AI-powered security tools can help identify and prevent potential breaches before they escalate.
Bonus Tips: Trust Us, You Can Never Be too Careful
Cybersecurity isn’t just a checklist—it’s a mindset. Here are some additional precautions to keep your team safe:
- Hover Over Links Before Clicking: Always check the actual URL before clicking. If it looks suspicious, don’t risk it.
- Verify Requests for Sensitive Information: If an email asks for login credentials, banking information, or wire transfers, double-check with the sender using a known, trusted contact method. (No, replying to the suspicious email doesn’t count!)
- Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is. Encourage employees to take a moment and think before acting.
Stay Sharp, Stay Safe
Phishing scams depend on human error, which means the best defense is a well-informed, vigilant team. Deloitte global cyber leader, Emily Mossburg, explains the sophistication behind some phishing attacks: “Cyber criminals constantly evolve their methods, so individuals need to be on alert. Phishers prey on human error.”
Sounds stressful? Sure! But by combining education, strong security practices, and a dash of humor, you can create a cybersecurity culture that’s as resilient as it is engaging.
Remember: when it comes to phishing, if it smells fishy, don’t take the bait!
Worried about what you could be swimming around your systems in the Beverly, MA area? We can find out! Contact us today to get started!
