The threat of Phishing attacks are becoming more and more alarming levels in the last year, and employees are often the first line of defense. In this article, we explain why an Anti-phishing policy could be the help you need.
During the last year, we could see an alarming increase of Phishing attacks against companies and organizations all over the world, with some experts reporting a 300% increase in malicious attacks.
That's not all; Cyber criminals are using AI advancements as effective tools, making it harder for users to separate harmful and malicious content from a regular email, text message or DM. As a matter of fact, cyber criminals are using their own version of ChatGPT to create their harmful attacks.
Teach Employees to Avoid Phishing
Attacks against companies are usually focusing on companies' weakest links: The Employees. Most of the successful attacks begin when a person clicks and downloads malicious content that looks legitimate, to log into sensitive accounts or install ransomware that holds systems captive.
But which actions do you need to do, to raise awareness and strengthen your IT-security? Creating a clear communication strategy is crucial and of utmost importance.
Why a An Anti-phishing policy is Crucial
Phishing attacks often imitate trusted external sources or legitimate internal communication, all with the aim to trick employees into sharing some sensitive information or clicking malicious links.
An Anti-phishing policy establishes clear guidelines on how internal communications should look like, helping employees to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent messages easily. Without a policy in place, employees may not have the tools or knowledge to differentiate between real and fake communications, leading to potential security breaches.
"Attacks against companies are usually focusing on companies' weakest links: The Employees."
An effective Anti-phishing policy is a crucial component of any organization’s defense against phishing and internal spoofed emails. By establishing clear guidelines on how communication should be handled and educating employees on security best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.
Remember, the success of your Anti-phishing policy depends not only on its content but also on how well it is implemented and reinforced across the organization. By prioritizing security and continuously adapting to new threats, your organization can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
What should be included?
An Anti-phishing policy is a guide to how an organisation communicates. It describes the purpose of communication, the target audiences, the values that guide communication, who is responsible for what and the channels used.
The policy should include:
- Authorized Communication Channels
- Define which communication channels are officially approved for internal use (e.g., company email, intranet, messaging apps like Slack or Teams).
- Ensure employees know that any communication outside these channels should be treated with caution.
- Regularly review and update the list of approved channels to keep up with evolving technology.
- Email Authentication Protocols
- Implement email authentication mechanisms such as DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), SPF (Sender Policy Framework), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) to prevent email spoofing.
- Educate employees on how to verify the sender’s email address and domain to ensure the message is coming from a legitimate source.
- Email Signature and Branding Guidelines
- Standardize email signatures, to ensure that every employee’s email includes consistent company branding, contact information, and formatting.
- Establish rules for email tone, language, and design to make it easier to identify phishing emails that don’t match the company’s style..
- Implement digital signatures or certificates for key communications to further validate authenticity.
We have created a guide for setting up an Anti-phishing policy, including crucial key elements and guidelines for how to to get started, create and implement a policy of your own. Click the link below to download your copy.
