Let’s not sugarcoat it: phishing is one of the most effective ways cybercriminals worm their way into your network. Why? Simple. As Stephanie Carruthers, a social engineering expert, bluntly puts it, “It works.”
It’s easy to think that fancy firewalls and high-end encryption are enough to keep your organization safe.
But here’s the kicker: the weakest link in any security system is often the people it’s designed to protect. And with cybercriminals getting smarter—leveraging AI to create even more convincing phishing attempts—your people are becoming an even bigger target.
So what’s the big deal? A phishing attack leads to data breaches, which leads to a world of hurt for your organization. Many companies don’t realize the damage until they’re knee-deep in it. So let’s talk about how phishing attacks work, why they’re so successful, and what you can do to stop them.
Download Free Email Phishing Playbook for Efficient Phishing Handling (PDF) -> Download Here
Phishing attack impact: More than just emails gone wrong
Phishing attacks aren’t just about dodgy emails anymore. They’ve evolved, extending far beyond inboxes and into SMS (smishing), voice calls (vishing), and even fake apps.
Gone are the days when you could train your employees to spot poorly written, scammy-looking emails and call it a day. These attacks are getting slicker, and businesses are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs.
For CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers), it’s a growing nightmare. You’re not just responsible for setting up systems to block attacks—you have to educate your team, ensuring everyone is on the same page about phishing threats.
But here’s the harsh truth: training alone won’t cut it anymore.
Busting myths about phishing: No, your service provider won’t save you
One of the most persistent myths out there is that service providers like Google Workspace or Office 365 have your back. Sure, they have built-in protections, but these are far from bulletproof.
Sophisticated phishing campaigns can easily bypass their defenses, leaving your organization vulnerable.
Why? Because cybercriminals use tools like phishing kits and zero-day exploits to stay one step ahead. Phishing kits provide attackers with ready-to-launch campaigns, and phishing-as-a-service platforms make launching an attack as easy as subscribing to Netflix.
What does this mean for you? You need to go beyond built-in protections and adopt a comprehensive security strategy that includes both proactive and reactive measures.
Relying on your service provider alone is like locking your front door but leaving your windows wide open.
Bridging the gap: Why you need both proactive and reactive security
So, you’ve got your security awareness training in place, and your employees are pretty good at spotting suspicious emails. That’s great, but it’s not enough.
The reality is, that even the most security-savvy employees can slip up, especially when phishing attempts are more sophisticated than ever.
That’s where Managed Detection and Response (MDR) comes into play. By merging proactive training (like KnowBe4 security awareness programs) with MDR, you create a feedback loop that helps your organization stay ahead of threats.
With the right balance, you can train your staff to be vigilant while automating the detection and response process when things go wrong.
The result? You don’t just react to attacks—you prevent them from doing serious damage in the first place.
What makes phishing so dangerous? It’s everywhere
When you hear the word “phishing,” you probably think of email, right? Well, that’s only the beginning. Phishing attacks can happen via SMS, phone calls, or even fake apps.
This multi-channel approach makes phishing harder to detect and, unfortunately, much more effective.
For example, a cybercriminal might send an email directing an employee to a fake website, prompting them to download a malicious app. Once that happens, the attacker has access to your systems and can wreak havoc.
The consequences of falling for a phishing scam can be catastrophic. Data loss, regulatory fines, and a shattered reputation are just the tip of the iceberg. And once customer trust is eroded, it’s hard—if not impossible—to get it back.
Step-by-step guide to handling phishing attacks
Dealing with a phishing attack isn’t something you can wing. You need a structured approach to respond quickly and minimize the damage.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what a typical phishing incident lifecycle looks like:
- Detection: Phishing attempts might be flagged by an employee or detected by security systems. The faster you identify it, the quicker you can act.
- Initial Response: Isolate affected systems immediately to prevent further damage. It’s crucial to cut off the source before it spreads.
- Investigation: Analyze the phishing email, attachments, and any compromised systems. Determine the scope of the attack, the entry points, and any compromised credentials. The aim here is to fully understand the potential damage to the organization.
- Containment: Prevent further spread by securing vulnerable systems and halting malicious activity. This might involve disconnecting parts of your network or locking down accounts temporarily.
- Eradication: Completely remove any malware, malicious links, or compromised credentials. This step ensures that there’s no residual threat in your environment.
- Recovery: Restore affected systems to their original state, ensuring they’re fully operational without lingering threats. Update security patches, reset passwords, and reinforce your defenses.
Following these steps ensures you don’t leave any gaps in your response. But here’s the reality: handling this in-house process can take a lot of time and resources.
Depending on the complexity of the attack, you could dedicate 120 hours out of a 160-hour work month just to dealing with one incident.
In-house team vs. outsourced vendor: The phishing response dilemma
When it comes to phishing response, you have two main options: handle it in-house or outsource it to a specialized vendor. Each option has its pros and cons.
In-house team:
- Pros: You get full control over your cybersecurity, with a customized approach tailored specifically to your needs. If done right, it can save money in the long run.
- Cons: The initial setup is expensive, with continuous investments required for training and infrastructure. As your business grows, scalability becomes a challenge, especially during high-demand attack periods.
Outsourced vendor:
- Pros: Easily scalable, offering quick responses and access to specialized expertise without the need for an internal team. It’s more cost-effective for handling frequent or large-scale attacks.
- Cons: You have less control over day-to-day operations, relying heavily on the vendor’s capabilities. Integration with your existing systems may also pose challenges.
Roles and responsibilities in phishing incident response
Successfully responding to a phishing attack requires a team effort. From the Security Operations Center (SOC) to the IT team and even your end users, everyone has a role to play.
SOC team
- Role: The SOC team monitors your systems continuously, detects threats in real-time, and initiates the incident response plan. They’re the first to identify suspicious behavior, ensuring rapid response to contain threats before they escalate.
- Details: Their job is constant vigilance. By leveraging advanced monitoring tools, the SOC team ensures that even subtle security events don’t go unnoticed, keeping the business safe around the clock.
IT team
- Role: The IT team provides crucial technical support, helping to contain attacks and implement necessary security patches. They play a key role in managing system recovery after a breach.
- Details: Their expertise is vital in both securing compromised systems and ensuring that the broader infrastructure remains operational, reducing downtime, and patching vulnerabilities to prevent future incidents.
Security awareness team
- Role: This team educates employees on how to recognize phishing attempts and organizes regular simulations to ensure everyone is prepared for potential attacks.
- Details: By regularly conducting training and phishing simulations, they ensure your workforce is well-equipped to avoid common traps, actively reducing the likelihood of human error leading to a breach.
Each group needs to be aligned and aware of their responsibilities to ensure a swift and effective response.
Prevention is better than cure: The power of phishing simulations
One of the most effective ways to keep your team sharp is by running phishing simulations. These exercises help identify who might be vulnerable to phishing attacks and allow you to tailor your training programs accordingly.
By regularly simulating phishing attacks, you can:
- Test your employees’ ability to spot phishing: Regular phishing simulations gauge how well your team can recognize and handle suspicious emails. These exercises reveal who is prepared and who might need more guidance.
- Identify those needing additional training: Not everyone may catch on to phishing attempts right away, and these tests help pinpoint employees who could benefit from extra security training.
- Maintain high-security awareness: Consistent testing keeps security front of mind, ensuring your organization remains vigilant against phishing and other threats over time.
MDR by Under Defense – Your Always-On Security Partner
UnderDefense’s MDR solution fits your budget and gives you confidence in your organization’s security posture. Here’s how it can help you overcome common challenges:
- Immediate, personalized support: 24/7 access to dedicated SOC analysts who know your business and get back to you fast.
- Comprehensive attack detection: Beyond 24/7 monitoring, we detect threats proactively providing context and remediation advice.
- Tooling optimization: We tune your security tools to reduce alert noise by 82% and integrate with all your existing tools for a single pane of glass.
- Customer ownership: You own all fine-tuned tools and processes at the end of the contract so you have control and value.
- Operational transparency: Full visibility into alert timelines, threat context, and regular reports.
- Guaranteed SLA: We offer Service Level Agreements, with financial backing through Cyber Insurance if required.
Final thoughts: Be ready, not sorry
The reality is, that phishing attacks are only becoming more advanced. But that doesn’t mean you’re helpless. Understanding how phishing works and preparing your team to respond quickly can significantly reduce your organization’s risk.
The best defense against phishing? A mix of solid training, advanced security measures, and a clear response plan. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of handling it all yourself, remember that outsourcing to a specialized vendor can be a game-changer.
So, the next time someone asks if your organization is ready for a phishing attack, you can confidently say: “We’ve got it covered.”
Here, you can download the Free Email Phishing Playbook (PDF) for Efficient Phishing Handling.