Surge in Malicious Emails Bypassing Secure Email Gateways

The frequency of malicious emails successfully circumventing Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) has doubled in the past year.

This surge highlights the evolving sophistication of cyber threats and the challenges organizations face in protecting digital assets.

According to Cofense’s analysis, a malicious email bypasses SEGs every minute, signifying a relentless assault on corporate defenses.

The report indicates a staggering 310% increase in cyber-attacks on businesses since 2022, with credential phishing leading the charge.

This particular threat saw a 67% increase in volume over the previous year and was responsible for 91% of active threat reports in 2023.

Emerging Threats and Targeted Industries

The report also highlights a 331% rise in QR code-related threats and an astonishing 1,092% increase in Google AMP emails evading SEGs in the latter half of 2023.

Healthcare and finance sectors are particularly at risk, experiencing 84.5% and 118% increases in malicious emails bypassing SEGs, respectively.

Cofense, a leader in email security, has released its 2024 Annual State of Email Security report, providing critical insights into threat actors’ latest trends and tactics.

Statistics That Demand Attention

The numbers revealed by Cofense are staggering:

• A malicious email bypasses SEGs every minute, signaling a constant threat to organizations.
• There has been a 310% increase in malicious cyber-attacks targeting businesses since 2022.
• Credential phishing, the preferred method of attack in 2023, saw a 67% increase in volume from the previous year.
• A whopping 91% of active threat reports last year were due to credential phishing.
• QR code threats surged by 331% in 2023, indicating a new cyber-attack frontier.
• Google AMP emails bypassing SEGs rose by 1,092% in the latter half of 2023.
• The healthcare and finance sectors experienced an 84.5% and 118% increase in malicious emails, respectively.

Despite SEGs filtering numerous threats, they still miss 30-50% of attacks, and it only takes one successful email to compromise an organization’s data and reputation.

Proactive Measures: Training and Phishing Detection & Response

To combat these threats, Cofense emphasizes the importance of employee training.

Their security awareness training (SAT) program, Cofense PhishMe, employs simulations and interactive modules to educate employees on identifying and reporting malicious emails.

Furthermore, Cofense’s Phishing Detection & Response (PDR) solution leverages the collective power of its trained workforce and expert analysts.

The Phishing Defense Center (PDC) processes thousands of reported emails, quickly quarantining those deemed malicious and removing them from customer email systems globally.

The surge in malicious emails bypassing SEGs is a call to action for organizations to reassess their email security strategies.

By investing in comprehensive solutions like those offered by Cofense, businesses can fortify their defenses against the ever-evolving threat of cyberattacks.

You can block malware, including Trojans, ransomware, spyware, rootkits, worms, and zero-day exploits, with Perimeter81 malware protection. All are incredibly harmful, can wreak havoc, and damage your network.

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