Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable, leaving businesses and individuals vulnerable to unexpected methods of attack. While most people are aware of common threats such as malware and phishing scams, there are other, less well-known methods of attack that can be just as effective. The goal is to expect the unexpected and respond to any unexpected attack to limit the impact.
In a “business email compromise” (BEC) attack, the attacker impersonates a trusted figure, such as a CEO or high-level executive, and sends an email to an employee requesting sensitive information or a transfer of funds. This type of attack can be difficult to detect as it often appears to be a legitimate request from a trusted source.
Another unexpected method of attack is known as a “watering hole” attack. In these attacks, the attacker targets a specific website or group of websites that are frequently visited by employees of a particular organization. By compromising these sites, the attacker can infect the computers of unsuspecting visitors and gain access to the target organization’s network.
“Supply chain attacks” are also becoming increasingly common. The attacker targets a third-party supplier or vendor that has access to the target organization’s network. By compromising the supplier or vendor, the attacker can gain access to the target organization’s sensitive information and systems.
To protect against these unexpected cyber-attack methods, it is important to adopt a multi-layered security approach. This includes regularly updating software and hardware, providing regular training to employees, and implementing strong access controls and data backup procedures.
Unexpected cyber-attack methods can be just as damaging as more well-known methods, if not more so. By staying informed and implementing a multi-layered security approach, businesses and individuals can reduce their risk of falling victim to these types of attacks.
Organizations can not prevent every intrusion. The goal is to Prevent as much as possible, detect as quickly as possible and respond to minimize the impact as much as possible. These steps will help every organization prepare and respond to even the most unexpected attack.