With Cybersecurity Action Month underway, Keeper Security is going beyond raising awareness by calling on everyone to adopt and enforce cybersecurity practices that protect against evolving threats. Last week, the cyber organisation focused on the importance of using strong passwords.
This week’s actionable step for individuals and organisations to strengthen their online security is phishing awareness. This follows last week’s tip to use strong and unique passwords and store them in a password manager.
To spot phishing scams, individuals should be cautious of unexpected requests for sensitive information, carefully examine sender details for subtle inconsistencies in the email address and URL, avoid clicking on unsolicited links or attachments, and verify requests with the source using a different communication channel. The human element is often the most vulnerable link in the attack chain, underscoring the need for organisations to conduct regular security training, encourage employees to report suspicious communications and utilise phishing simulations to improve detection and response. Sixty-seven percent of respondents to Keeper Security’s 2024 Insight Report revealed that their company struggles to combat phishing attacks, making these best practices increasingly critical in today’s cyber threat landscape.
Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder, Keeper Security, said: “Since the inception of Cybersecurity Awareness Month two decades ago, we’ve witnessed a surge in cyber attacks and the emergence of new and evolving threats. It’s become increasingly clear that awareness alone is not enough; we must take action. By training employees to recognise and respond to phishing simulations, organisations empower their frontline defenders to question unusual requests and report suspicious activity promptly, strengthening their overall security posture and reducing the risk of damaging and costly attacks.”
Phishing is among the most popular cyber threat vectors today, and malicious actors are weaponising AI to speed up and scale these common, yet destructive attacks. AI tools increase the believability of phishing scams and enable cybercriminals to deploy them more rapidly. According to 84% of respondents to Keeper’s 2024 Insight Report, phishing and smishing have become more difficult to detect with the rise in popularity of AI-powered tools, and 42% identified AI-powered phishing as their top concern when it comes to AI security.
With the majority of breaches stemming from human error, it’s time to move from awareness to action when it comes to phishing awareness and security training. By remaining vigilant against phishing scams, organisations and individuals can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber threats.
