Protect Your Business from the Growing Threat of Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Email has become a cornerstone of modern business communication, but as the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility.” As a business owner, safeguarding your emails is critical to keeping sensitive data out of the wrong hands.
One of the biggest risks facing businesses today is Business Email Compromise (BEC) – a sophisticated and costly scam that’s on the rise.
What is a BEC Attack?
BEC attacks occur when scammers impersonate key individuals in your business, such as CEOs, executives, or IT staff, to deceive employees into:
Sharing sensitive data
Authorizing financial transactions
Shockingly, nearly 90% of BEC attacks use this impersonation tactic, leveraging the trust your team has in high-ranking personnel.
It’s easy to see how an unsuspecting employee might comply without hesitation, especially when the sender appears legitimate and the request seems urgent.
The Alarming Rise of BEC Threats
BEC scams are now the most significant email-based threat to businesses, with incidents spiking dramatically in recent months. Researchers analyzing 1.8 billion emails worldwide uncovered:
208 million malicious emails
Over half (58%) of these were BEC attempts
And it’s not just top-tier employees being targeted. Most BEC attacks focus on lower-level staff, who might be less aware of cyber threats or hesitant to question authority.
Other Email Scams to Watch Out For
While BEC attacks are dominant, other email scams like phishing and commercial spam also remain a threat. These scams often aim to extract login credentials or other personal information.
Together, BEC, phishing, and spam scams now surpass traditional ransomware and malware attacks in prevalence and impact.
Protecting Your Business is Easier Than You Think
The good news? Shielding your business from email threats doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Here are a few simple steps to enhance your defenses:
Train your team – Ensure all employees know to pause and verify requests for sensitive information or financial transactions.
Encourage vigilance – Emails that feel urgent or unusual should always be double-checked with a colleague or supervisor before taking action.
Implement email security measures – Tools like email filters and multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of protection.
Need Help Securing Your Business?
Email threats like BEC are evolving, but with the right approach, you can stay one step ahead. If you’re looking for expert guidance to keep your business secure, get in touch today. Together, we’ll ensure your emails remain a powerful – and safe – tool for success.