Emails are an integral aspect of any business communication, and we’re sure that your employees send dozens of emails every day. But do they know the potential risks of cyber attacks that this communication channel brings along? From phishing and ransomware to malware and social engineering exploits, the list goes on! And the worst part is, they all start with a seemingly harmless email. Not to forget, the kind of damage they cause can be devastating—compromised data, financial losses, and severe reputational harm.
To ensure that your employees do not fall prey to such scams and your email communication is efficient and secure, it is essential to implement a comprehensive email security training program.
Here’s everything you should know about training your employees and familiarizing them with email security best practices.
Why is email security training so important?
Did you know that around 90% of cyberattacks start with a phishing email? Given that email is the primary vector for all kinds of malicious attacks, it is crucial that your organization has a strong defense against potential threats. Building this defense isn’t just about employing state-of-the-art solutions; it is also about educating your employees to identify and report threats. This is only possible if they have the knowledge and the tools to spot and handle suspicious emails.
Moreover, with the rapid adoption and integration of cloud in business operations, it has become easier than ever for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in email infrastructure. This means that employees need to be especially vigilant and well-trained.
Comprehensive, well-curated training will give them the necessary skills to recognize phishing attempts, malicious attachments, and other fraudulent activities. This will inculcate a sense of responsibility among them and improve the security posture of the organization at large by encouraging them to report such emails to the concerned department.
What are the threats to email security that your employees should be wary of?
We hate to break it to you, but a simple email that can easily pass off as legitimate can harbor various threats, such as delivering ransomware, stealing credentials, causing operational disruption, financial losses, and more.
When consequences are so grave, it is always a good idea to have an understanding of the common email security threats that can wreak havoc on your digital infrastructure.
Phishing attacks
Perhaps one of the most common techniques that hackers use to deceive employees is phishing. In this type of attack, they send out an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate source but is actually a scam designed to steal personal information or money.
Business email compromise (BEC)
Business email compromise (BEC) is a sophisticated cyberattack wherein hackers masquerade as high-level executives or trusted contacts to dupe employees into transferring money or giving away secret information. What makes them so grave is the high level of personalization, which makes them so difficult to detect.
Spoofing
Spoofing is a deceptive cyberattack in which the sender’s email address is forged in a way that the email appears to be coming from an authentic source. It is deliberately crafted to mislead recipients into believing the credibility of the email, enticing them to click on links, open attached files with viruses/malware, or disclose sensitive information.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of harmful software that locks up your data so you can’t access it until you pay a ransom to the attacker. This usually happens when you click on a malicious link or open an attachment with malware in it.
What are the best practices for email security for your employees?
To ensure that your business email communication remains secure, encourage your employees to follow these best practices:
- They should be wary when opening any link or attachment. Before clicking, it’s recommended that they hover over links to check their destination.
- They should check the email addresses of those they are communicating with very carefully. It requires more than a cursory glance to spot spoofing.
- They must use strong passwords that are difficult to decode. While it is easier to remember simple passwords like ‘123456,’ they are a significant security risk. Instead, use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- They must be trained to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to their email communications.
- Educate them on backing up data regularly so that they can easily recover it in case of a ransomware attack.
- Encourage them to participate in regular training sessions on email security to stay updated on the latest threats and best practices.
Knowing how to secure email communications is no longer limited to specific sectors or industries. It is a fundamental skill that organizations of all sizes that rely on email communication should acquire. By fostering a culture of security awareness, your organization can significantly reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and maintain the integrity of your communications. For more such insights into email security and to get started with the email authentication journey, get in touch with us today!
