Recently, I received an email at work from a company with whom I've had previous interactions.
The email lacked context and contained an attachment, immediately raising suspicion.
I reported it to our infosec team using the Phish Alert Button (PAB). A short while later, our team confirmed it was indeed a malicious email.
Subsequently, the sender organization informed us that they had been compromised, and phishing emails had been distributed from their account. They advised recipients to delete any suspicious emails received. While their response was prompt and appropriate, it's crucial to note that it came several hours after I’d received the initial email.
This incident highlights several key points:
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Effectiveness of Training: Security awareness training enabled me to identify potential red flags
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Importance of Intuition: Trusting one's instincts when something seems amiss is crucial
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Utilization of Security Tools: The Phish Alert Button proved invaluable in this situation
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Rapid Internal Response: Our information security team's swift action exemplifies effective security practices
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Transparent External Communication: The compromised organization’s prompt disclosure was commendable
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Positive Security Culture: The infosec team here at KnowBe4 actively fosters an environment that encourages and appreciates the reporting of potential threats
When it comes to a positive security culture, it's crucial to recognize that while tools like the Phish Alert Button are excellent, their effectiveness is significantly amplified by a supportive organizational culture. In our organization, employees feel empowered to use the PAB without fear of repercussion or concern about wasting resources.
This culture of security is vital. It ensures that employees do not hesitate to report suspicious activities, believing their actions might lead to trouble or that their reports will disappear into a void. Instead, at KnowBe4 we have cultivated an atmosphere where security vigilance is valued and rewarded.
Such a positive approach to security reporting accomplishes several things:
- It increases the likelihood of early threat detection
- It reinforces the importance of individual contributions to overall security
- It creates a collaborative environment where security is everyone's responsibility
By fostering this type of culture, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture, turning every employee into an active participant in the company's defense against cyber threats.
However, it's essential to consider the potential consequences had I not been adequately trained, not been aware of internal reporting procedures, or not had the correct security tools in place to identify the compromised phishing email; the outcome could have been severe.
The follow-up email from the affected organization was comprehensive, outlining the incident timeline, immediate actions taken, and future preventive measures. I greatly appreciate their serious approach to the situation.
This incident emphasizes a critical aspect of cybersecurity - timing is crucial. While external notifications are important, the primary defense lies within individuals and their organization’s internal security measures.
To conclude, this incident serves as a potent reminder for all professionals to:
- Maintain vigilance
- Trust your judgement
- Utilize available security tools
- Continuously engage in security training
Every individual plays a vital role in protecting not just themselves, but their entire organization.
It is imperative that organizations invest in a comprehensive human risk management approach that can offer in-depth defense through email security, nudges and security awareness training. Just as important is providing a frictionless reporting process, while taking advantage of the entire security stack and AI. By implementing this approach, organizations will see a significant reduction in risk.
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