Have you ever encountered a phishing attempt? Phishing attacks are one of Canada’s – and the World’s – most common cyber threats. In these attacks, cybercriminals attempt to trick employees into sharing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading harmful attachments by posing as trusted sources. Each day, phishing tactics are becoming more sophisticated, so it’s essential for businesses to empower their staff with the skills to identify red flags and stop phishing attempts.
In this blog, we’ll dive into strategies for training your team to recognize phishing scams and reduce the risk of security breaches. We’ll also explore how our IT support and cybersecurity services in Mississauga, Markham, and Richmond Hill can help protect businesses against the most common cyber threats.
Recognizing Phishing Emails: How to Effectively Train Your Team
The National Post reported just a few months into 2024 that Canada was facing a surge in cyber threats, with a huge ransomware attack on a hotel’s IT system taking weeks to recover. This exemplifies the increasing urgency for businesses to act with their cybersecurity protocols, as ransomware has the potential to be hidden within a link on a phishing email, which could be sent to one of your employees.
A strong way to take charge is by providing comprehensive staff training, to cover the most common and evolving threats. Focusing on phishing, as one of the most common to target businesses, let’s explore some of the best practices for creating a robust anti-phishing training program for your employees.
- Educate on Common Phishing Tactics: Start by educating your team about common phishing tactics, like phishing emails, which often attempt to create urgency. For example, phishing emails often have messages claiming that the user’s account has been compromised or that a critical payment is overdue. These emails frequently impersonate trusted sources like banks, service providers, or even other departments within the company. Provide examples of phishing emails, pointing out specific indicators such as unfamiliar sender addresses, odd requests, and unexpected attachments.
- Highlight Key Red Flags: Teach employees to spot specific red flags that are common in phishing emails, such as suspicious email addresses, urgent or threatening language, generic greetings (like “Dear Customer.”), poor grammar and spelling, and unexpected attachments or links.
- Implement Simulated Phishing Exercises: To provide hands-on experience, consider implementing regular simulated phishing exercises that allow employees to practice spotting phishing emails in a controlled environment. After each simulation, provide feedback on how they performed, highlighting areas for improvement and recognizing employees who successfully spotted phishing attempts. Simulations help keep employees vigilant and reinforce their ability to identify threats in real situations.
- Encourage the “Think Before You Click” Mentality: Encourage employees to adopt a “think before you click” approach, where they pause and assess any email that seems unusual or unexpected. Remind them to verify the sender’s identity by hovering over links (without clicking) to reveal the true URL and checking the email address carefully. It is also important to teach employees to reach out to the supposed sender through a separate, verified contact method if they’re unsure about an email’s legitimacy.
- Reinforce the Importance of Reporting Suspicious Emails: Create a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious emails, by emphasizing that reporting phishing attempts, even if they turn out to be harmless, can help prevent a potential breach. Set up a clear and easy reporting process, such as forwarding suspicious emails to your IT or security team. Quick reporting allows your cybersecurity team to act swiftly to protect the network.
- Provide Regular Refresher Training: Schedule regular refresher courses to reinforce anti-phishing skills and keep employees informed about the latest phishing tactics. Include training as part of the onboarding process for new hires and provide ongoing resources that employees can refer to if they have questions.
VBS IT: Supporting Phishing Protection
At VBS, we understand the impact phishing attacks can have on businesses and our team provides a range of IT support and cybersecurity services to help companies strengthen their defences against phishing and other cyber threats.
- Our IT Support: Our IT support in Mississauga, Markham, and Richmond Hill goes beyond just technical assistance by working with your team to create a secure, resilient environment where cyber threats are minimized. Our IT experts assist with setup, monitoring, and ongoing support to ensure your systems stay protected and optimized.
- Our Cybersecurity Services: Our cybersecurity services for Mississauga, Markham, and Richmond Hill are also designed to protect businesses against digital threats, including phishing, ransomware, and malware. We offer tailored solutions that include phishing detection, response protocols, employee training, and advanced security tools.
With phishing attacks becoming more sophisticated, training your team to recognize and respond to phishing threats is essential for safeguarding your business. By educating employees on phishing tactics, simulating attacks, and encouraging a “think before you click” approach, you can significantly reduce the risk of a successful phishing attempt. We are here to help businesses in Mississauga, Markham, and Richmond Hill protect themselves against phishing attacks. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business build a strong defence against cyber threats.
