In simple terms, BEC attacks involve scammers impersonating key figures within a business, such as CEOs, executives, or IT staff. Their goal is to deceive employees into sharing sensitive information or transferring money. Research shows that nearly 90% of BEC attacks rely on this type of impersonation.
It’s easy to see how someone might quickly respond without questioning an email that appears to come from a trusted source.
BEC attacks have surged this year, particularly in the third quarter. Researchers analyzing 1.8 billion emails worldwide uncovered a staggering 208 million malicious emails, with 58% of these being BEC scams. This makes BEC the most significant email threat facing businesses today.
Interestingly, scammers often target employees in lower-level positions, who may be less familiar with cyber threats or less likely to challenge authority.
While BEC attacks are a major concern, other methods, such as phishing and commercial spam, remain common. These scams are designed to trick individuals into sharing personal information like login credentials. Combined, these threats now outweigh traditional ransomware and malware attacks.
The good news is that protecting your business doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.
Start by ensuring all employees are trained to approach emails with caution. They should be encouraged to double-check any requests for sensitive information or financial transactions—especially if the email seems urgent or unusual.
If you need help strengthening your business’s email security, we’re here to assist. Get in touch today.
Data & Online Analytics