The proliferation of malware is challenging organizations and requires security teams to remain vigilant. Unfortunately, business email compromise (BEC), which exploits vulnerabilities in communication channels, has become a significant attack vector affecting many organizations. For example, unlike phishing, BEC allows full-scale account takeover, giving attackers access to sensitive data, financial assets, and sensitive information.
BEC is a serious problem. According to VIPRE Security data, 49% of all spam emails detected can be attributed to BEC scams. The most common BEC targets include CEO, HR, and IT. The situation becomes even more serious when as many as 40% of the BEC emails uncovered were generated by AI, and in some cases, the entire message may have been created by AI. Organizations that are unprepared to detect these advanced threats may face double the risk compared to 12 months ago.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to launch BEC attacks. Still, the same technology can be used to scrutinize an organization’s communication patterns, language nuances, and intent, alerting them to malicious messages, and potentially mitigating threats across their platforms.
Enhance email security with AI
AI is emerging as a solid solution to help security leaders protect against potential BEC. AI can identify and flag potential threats within emails through text-based recognition. Technology alone is not a panacea, but when combined with human expertise, it can strengthen an organization’s defenses against potential threats. Suspicious communications are immediately flagged as AI learns the intricacies of real email exchanges and improves results based on more and more patterns loaded into the solution.
Another strength is that the AI is not limited to one type of BEC attack. It can be deployed to detect various types of threats, including business email compromise, insider threats, fraud, and account takeover. Identifying these attacks can potentially thwart an adversary’s attempts to steal sensitive data or financial assets.
reveal malicious intent
By uncovering malicious intent, you can quickly take action against threats. Of course, doing so can neutralize harmful activity against your organization and strengthen your email security defenses against BEC attacks.
Semantic analysis to improve security
The use of semantic analysis (extracting meaningful insights from unstructured data) is an advanced detection capability that strengthens email security against BEC threats. AI systems quickly identify and intercept potentially harmful communications by comparing incoming emails to known malicious patterns.
This proactive approach can help deter supply chain compromises and protect against social engineering tactics. Semantic analysis engines enhance traditional security measures and keep organizations one step ahead of cybercriminals while protecting valuable data and financial assets from the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
Addressing the multifaceted nature of BEC
BEC extends its reach beyond regular phishing and manifests itself as a full-fledged account takeover to obtain sensitive data and funds. AI-powered defense systems are designed to counter these multifaceted threats by detecting anomalies in email communications, such as supply chain compromises and insider threats.
This comprehensive approach allows businesses to protect their digital assets and increase their resiliency against the wide variety of tactics employed by cyber attackers in the BEC space.
Research on conversation topics using AI
Similar to the research conducted by VIPRE, AI-powered conversation topic analysis takes a deep dive into users’ communication patterns. By studying these interactions, the system identifies important patterns and interactions, revealing who users engage with and who they avoid. This knowledge strengthens email security and allows businesses to better defend against potential BEC threats.
Leveraging AI to understand communication behavior will help organizations become more proactive in protecting sensitive information from malicious intent.
In the fight against BEC attacks, AI can help organizations combat spoofing attacks and distinguish between real email senders and impostors by scrutinizing email content, metadata, and communication patterns.
This robust AI-driven defense fortifies organizations against social engineering tactics and ensures malicious attackers are stopped before they can exploit vulnerabilities and compromise critical assets.
