The Human Element: How to Strengthen Your Email Security Through Awareness and Protection
In today's digital landscape, the most advanced cyberattacks aren't necessarily those that exploit technological weaknesses; they target people. According to recent research, over 99% of threats rely on human activation, making employees the first line of defense—and often, the most vulnerable link in the cybersecurity chain. This human-centric risk demands a shift in focus, where both technology and user behavior are integrated into a cohesive security strategy.
A key takeaway from recent reports is that many employees knowingly engage in risky behaviors, such as clicking on unknown links or sharing passwords, despite being aware of the potential dangers! The Proofpoint 2024 State of the Phish report found that 71% of users admitted to taking a risky action, with a staggering 96% of them fully aware of the associated risks. This shows that knowledge alone is not enough—behavior change is essential!
Why the Human Element Matters in Email Security
Human-targeted threats, such as phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and ransomware attacks, continue to dominate the threat landscape. Attackers are increasingly leveraging social engineering techniques that manipulate human emotions—urgency, fear, curiosity—to bypass even the most sophisticated security measures. For instance, Proofpoint's data revealed that over 66 million business email compromise (BEC) attacks were detected and blocked each month, showcasing just how widespread and persistent these threats have become.
Moreover, brand abuse is a prevalent tactic, with Microsoft remaining the most impersonated brand, accounting for over 68 million malicious messages in 2023. These attacks often rely on tricking users into believing they’re interacting with a trusted source, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and vigilance.
Building a Security-First Culture
To address this, organizations must go beyond just implementing technical defenses. They need to cultivate a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Targeted Training Programs: Tailored security awareness training based on real-world threats can significantly improve user resilience. This includes simulated phishing exercises, knowledge assessments, and role-specific training that help employees recognize and respond to email-based threats.
Fostering Behavioral Change: Traditional training methods often fall short of influencing long-term behavior. Incorporating learning science principles and engaging, interactive training can more effectively retain knowledge and drive positive changes in user behavior.
Identifying ‘Very Attacked People’ (VAPs): Not all employees are targeted equally. Using tools that identify which users are most frequently targeted by cyberattacks allows organizations to tailor training and protective measures accordingly, ensuring high-risk individuals receive the support they need.
Integrating Advanced Technical Solutions: While user awareness is critical, combining it with technical solutions like real-time threat intelligence, multi-factor authentication, and advanced email security tools adds multiple layers of protection against evolving threats.
Upcoming Webinar: The Human Element
If you want to transform your organization’s approach to email security and effectively reduce risk, join us on December 5th, 2024 at 11 AM CET for our webinar, "The Human Element: Reducing Risk Through Email Security Awareness and Protection," featuring Alexander Sebestian from Proofpoint.
In this session, experts will explore how integrating advanced email security solutions with user education can significantly lower the risk of human-targeted cyberattacks. You’ll gain practical insights on how to build a security-focused culture, improve employee behavior, and strengthen your organization’s defense against email threats.
Key Insights from Proofpoint’s Research
Risky User Behavior: Most end-users take risky actions, the most common reasons being convenience and time-saving. This shows a need for more user-friendly security processes to reduce friction.
Growing Threats: New attack techniques, such as sophisticated phishing tactics like MFA bypass (EvilProxy), Telephone-Oriented Attack Delivery (TOAD), and QR code phishing, are gaining popularity, making it essential for organizations to adapt their training and defenses continuously.
The Role of Security Awareness: While 99% of organizations have a security awareness program, many still struggle to create real behavioral change. Continuous, relevant, and engaging training is crucial to improve user resilience.
Learn more in the Proofpoint report and make sure to register for the webinar to further enhance your organization's security strategy!
