Stay Safe From Email Attacks
Email is the backbone of modern business communication. It’s fast, efficient, and critical for success. But with its widespread use comes an ever-growing risk: cyber threats targeting email accounts with business email attacks being the most prevalent.
One of the most dangerous threats right now is Business Email Compromise (BEC). If your business becomes a victim, the consequences could be devastating. 80% of businesses suffered some form of phishing attack last year but how many hadn’t spotted it before it was too late? Let’s explore what BEC is, why it’s surging, and how you can protect your organisation.
What Is a BEC Attack?
A BEC attack is a sophisticated scam where cybercriminals impersonate high-level employees—such as CEOs, executives, or IT staff—to trick others into sharing sensitive information or sending money.
Here’s how it works:
- Scammers carefully research your business, looking for details about your team structure, email formats, and financial workflows.
- They then create convincing emails, posing as a trusted figure in your organisation.
- Their aim? To manipulate your employees into making a costly mistake.
Nearly 90% of BEC attacks rely on this type of impersonation. And with the right level of urgency or authority in an email, it’s easy for employees to respond without hesitation.
Why Are BEC Attacks Surging?
In the third quarter of this year alone, cyber researchers analysed 1.8 billion emails worldwide, uncovering 208 million malicious messages. Of these, 58% were BEC attempts, making it the number one email threat for businesses today.
But why are these attacks so effective?
- Targeting Vulnerabilities: Scammers often aim their attacks at employees lower in the business hierarchy. These team members may be less familiar with cyber threats or less likely to question an email from a “superior.”
- High Trust Factor: The emails look legitimate, leveraging the trust employees have in their leadership.
- Increasing Sophistication: Cybercriminals are using more advanced techniques, such as email spoofing and AI-generated language, to bypass filters and fool recipients.
It’s Not Just BEC: Other Email Threats Are Growing Too
While BEC is on the rise, it’s not the only danger lurking in your inbox. Other scams, like phishing and commercial spam, continue to pose serious risks.
These attacks aim to steal personal information, such as login credentials, or install malicious software on your devices. In fact, the combined impact of phishing and spam now overshadows traditional ransomware and malware threats.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Business
The good news is that protecting your business from email threats doesn’t have to be complex or costly. Here are practical steps you can take:
1. Implement Cyber Awareness Training
Train your team to spot suspicious emails. Look out for:
- Unexpected requests for sensitive information or payments.
- Poor grammar, unusual tone, or inconsistencies in the sender’s email address.
- Emails that create a sense of urgency.
💡 Tip: Use real-world examples of phishing and BEC attempts during training to help employees recognise these tactics.
2. Verify Requests Before Acting
Teach employees to always double-check unusual or urgent email requests, especially those involving sensitive data or money transfers.
💡 Tip: Establish a clear protocol for verifying requests, such as calling the sender or confirming via an internal messaging tool.
3. Strengthen Email Security
Invest in robust email security solutions, including:
- Email filtering: Block malicious messages before they reach your inbox.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to email accounts.
- DMARC Management: Protect against email spoofing by authenticating legitimate emails.
4. Test Your Defences
Conduct regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and processes.
💡 Tip: Simulate phishing attacks to evaluate your team’s readiness and reinforce training where needed.
Your Nxt Steps
Email threats like BEC attacks are becoming more sophisticated, but they’re not unstoppable. By fostering a culture of awareness and implementing smart security measures, you can protect your business from falling victim.
At Nxt Gen IT, we specialise in cybersecurity solutions tailored to your needs. Whether it’s employee training, email filtering, or advanced threat monitoring, we’ve got the tools to keep your business safe, no matter where you are.
👉 Get in touch today to safeguard your email and protect what matters most.
Nxt Gen IT provides a range of IT services across the UK. With Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and London on our doorstep, we’ve got easy access to the whole of the UK.
Ben helps growing businesses turn technology into a driver of performance instead of a barrier. At Nxt Gen IT he works with SME leaders, recruiters, and fast-scaling teams to design solutions that improve reliability, strengthen security, and unlock growth.
With a background in email deliverability and cloud systems, Ben specialises in making sure businesses communicate effectively, keep data safe, and get the most from Microsoft 365. His experience spans solution design, managed IT services, and virtual CIO support, always with a focus on practical outcomes that reduce headaches for business owners.
Ben has supported organisations across the UK, from recruitment agencies struggling with inbox placement to SaaS firms scaling fast, and SMEs needing a trusted partner for their IT. He believes tech is never the end goal: growth is. His role is to make sure technology never gets in the way of it.