New security threats never take a day off, so you can’t afford to either. Staying on top of the latest trends is key to keeping your organization protected. One of the new realities that we all face is that the days of easily spotted scams are over. Today’s threats are sophisticated, deeply personal, and increasingly powered by cutting-edge technology.
You can’t afford to employ a “wait and see” approach to cybersecurity. Your organization needs to know what is new and noteworthy and how to address these issues. That’s where Kryterion comes in. As a leader in test development and delivery, we take the security of your exams very seriously. We are always learning about the latest threats, which we’re happy to share with you below. Here are three new security threats that your organization needs to address right away.
1. Advanced Phishing
Phishing used to consist of generic emails that were easy to spot. Those days are over. Attackers are now masters of spear phishing, employing meticulous research to craft highly personalized and believable attacks. They spend lots of time and effort learning how to impersonate individuals that you know and trust – executives, vendors, or even direct colleagues.
This level of personalization makes these types of attacks incredibly difficult to spot. For example, a fake email address might be so close to the real one that they are hard to see with a quick glance. Maybe a single character is subtly altered, or maybe the name is misspelled.
Although it’s true that these attacks are rare, they actually account for the majority of successful compromises. Which is why more and more attackers are turning to this method. It’s important to always verify suspicious communications and never trust urgency over clarity. Your organization needs to work with a partner whoplaces security first to prevent this type of phishing.
2. Thread Hijacking
Imagine an attacker silently monitoring your email conversations, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. This is called thread hijacking. It’s a highly deceptive tactic where attackers compromise a colleague’s account and inject themselves into ongoing email threads.
But, the attackers aren’t just sending random emails. Instead, they are carefully monitoring the conversations and waiting for the right time to inject themselves into them, such as during financial transactions or sensitive data exchanges.
Because the fraudulent instructions or requests originate from a seemingly trusted source, they appear legitimate, making it incredibly difficult to detect the deception. Things like wire instructions or requests for sensitive data can slip through unnoticed.
To prevent thread hijacking, organizations always need to be on the lookout for subtle signs, even within what appears to be a legitimate thread. Unexpected links, unusual phrasing, or a sudden change in tone can be red flags. It is also crucial to use unique passwords and credentials, along with enabling multi-factor authentication. At Kryterion, we are always on the lookout for the latest ways that cheating has become mainstream, and you should too.
3. AI and Deepfakes
The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have ushered in a new era of deception. AI now powers highly sophisticated phishing attacks that include incredibly realistic fake audio, video, and even live video calls. This makes it nearly impossible for the human eye or ear to differentiate real from fake.
Traditional verification methods have become increasingly unreliable, which means awareness is the best way to fight these types of cyberattacks. Verification has never been more important. You have to assume every communication, every request, is potentially malicious until proven otherwise. This is the sad reality of today’s cyberworld.
Organizations also need to trust their gut. If something feels “off” then it probably is. When this happens, independently verify the request through a separate, established communication channel. And, most importantly, don’t reply to the suspicious email or call the number provided within the message, and use a known, legitimate contact method instead.
Security is in Your Hands – We’re Here to Help
Complacency is no longer an option. The cyber threats we face today are more sophisticated and personal than ever before. By understanding these new threats and fostering a culture of constant vigilance, you can significantly strengthen your defenses and protect your organization.
Working with a trusted vendor like Kryterion is the best choice you can make to increase your organization’s security. We combine our deep knowledge with our extensive experience to protect our partners. Let’s talk more about how we can help your organization.
About Kryterion Inc.
Kryterion Inc. is a global leader in innovative testing and credentialing solutions, helping organizations across various sectors develop and manage their assessments with our advanced test development platform and multi-modal delivery solutions. Established in 2001, Kryterion offers secure, integrated services and extensive support, empowering candidates to demonstrate skills and achieve success in world-class careers.
