Material Security emphasizes the importance of analyzing risks after email access over traditional click rate metrics in phishing incidents. By shifting the focus to what attackers can do once they gain access to a victim’s mailbox, organizations can better formulate their email security strategies.
Reassessing Common Phishing Metrics
Phishing attacks have long plagued organizations, often measured by click rates—the percentage of users tricked into interacting with malicious components of an email. Material Security challenges this approach, advocating for a deeper understanding of risks after attackers access compromised mailboxes.
Post-compromise Impact and Security Considerations
Traditional metrics fail to account for threats that arise post-compromise. Once attackers access an email account, their capabilities expand significantly, endangering sensitive data and IT systems.
Misconceptions in Email Security Strategies
Reliance on click rates tends to oversimplify the complexities of email security. This metric often overlooks:
- The extent of an attacker’s access to sensitive information post-compromise
- Various attack pathways that open once an attacker gains initial access
- The full scope of potential damage an attacker can inflict within a compromised system
Enhancing Containment Strategies in Organizations
To counter increasing threats, organizations must develop robust containment strategies. Simply monitoring click rates fails to address the underlying vulnerabilities post-access. Effective containment strategies should focus on:
- Limiting the attack surface even after unauthorized access occurs
- Detecting unusual email activities promptly
- Applying restrictions that minimize damage post-compromise
Fostering a Proactive Response Culture
Organizations should encourage a culture of proactive defense and containment:
- Training employees to identify and respond to signs of compromised accounts
- Developing clear protocols for escalating suspicious activities
- Regularly auditing and analyzing email security to stay ahead of emerging threats
Material Security’s insights urge organizations to look beyond traditional metrics and develop a more detailed understanding of threats that occur after email compromises. By prioritizing containment and response strategies, companies can bolster their defenses and reduce potential impacts from malicious actors.
