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FINAL WORD
There’s a
machine that
stops phishing
attacks. It’s called
the human brain.
Phishing attacks remain a source
of anguish for CISOs and security
professionals. But those who choose to
just throw technology at the problem are
overlooking a vital component of their
defence – the ‘human firewall’. Kamel
Tamimi, Principal Security Consultant,
Cofense Inc, tells us more...
U
ntil human nature changes (don’t hold your breath) phishing
attacks that target unwary people will be a headache. Two
recent headlines show the Middle East and Africa are not
being spared. Last November, a leading regional bank issued a
customer alert about a phishing email dangling a value-added tax
refund. Naturally, the email purported to come from the bank. Whose
pulse wouldn’t quicken at the thought of getting some money back?
The following month, Amnesty International warned of several
credential phishing campaigns, likely from the same attackers,
targeting Middle Eastern and North African organisations. In one
campaign, the threat actors took aim at accounts on ‘secure’ emails
services like Tutanota and ProtonMail.
It would be nice if automation could solve the problem completely.
But while automated systems, Machine Learning and AI can help,
malicious emails are still getting past the perimeter. Just ask the
regional bank and Amnesty International.
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