Executives are prime targets for hackers using pretexting, a social engineering technique that builds trust with a fabricated story or narrative. This approach is more effective than traditional phishing as it establishes rapport between the attacker and executive.
Pretexting involves creating a false connection with executives, such as pretending to be an old acquaintance or business partner. The goal is to gain their trust and eventually trick them into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected documents.
The consequences of executive compromise are severe, including data loss, financial losses, and compliance issues. To mitigate this risk, three steps can be taken:
1. Solid email security: Implement filters that analyze text and metadata for common indicators of compromise.
2. Regular training: Educate executives to be suspicious of unsolicited emails and report any potential pretexts.
3. AI-powered protection: Use AI tools like IBM SPSS Modeler Text Analytics and the IBM Threat Intelligence platform to process unstructured text, extract key concepts, and create a self-service email protection portal.
By implementing these measures, companies can reduce the risk of pretexting and protect their executives from social engineering attacks.