Resources and Insights

In the realm of cybersecurity, the spotlight often falls on technology—firewalls, AI-driven threat detection, and other advanced solutions. But what if the key to robust cybersecurity lies not just in your tech stack but in the people operating behind it? In this talk, we shift the focus from viewing humans as the weakest link to recognizing them as invaluable assets in your cybersecurity strategy. We'll discuss why every avoided phishing attack is a victory for the "human firewall," and why investing in your people could prevent over 90% of potential breaches. You'll learn about the only three metrics that matter in cybersecurity and how a human-centric approach can offer a substantial return on investment. Overcoming the common objections to a human-centric strategy, this talk will arm you with the insights to rethink your cybersecurity strategy. By the end, you'll be convinced that the human element is not just a part of the solution—it is the solution. Embark on your journey to strengthen your human firewall and transform your organization's cybersecurity posture.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, phishing remains a stubbornly persistent threat. This post dives deep into the psychological underpinnings that make phishing so effective, revealing that it's not just a technology issue, but a human one. Drawing from cognitive psychology, the article discusses how cognitive biases and learned helplessness contribute to the problem. It critically examines why most existing training methods are woefully ineffective, highlighting their one-size-fits-all approach and low retention rates. The article concludes with a look into the future, where advanced AI could further empower individuals to become the ultimate human firewall against phishing attacks.

Explore the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in the digital age, from rising threats to the crucial role of collective action. Dive into the innovative solutions like PhishFirewall that offer a unified defense against cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, education, and technology in safeguarding our digital future.

Think all CISOs are created equal? Think again. Last week, I got up close and personal with three Fortune 500 CISOs, and what I found was a cybersecurity circus. From punitive drill sergeants to overconfident gamblers, the range was staggering. But there was one Visionary who stood out. Dive into this no-holds-barred account that exposes the glaring gaps in cybersecurity thinking and why psychology can't be ignored!

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common occurrences, but they are also increasingly expensive. According to a recent report by IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach was estimated to be $3.86 million in 2020. This includes recovery costs, disruption to business operations, and reputational damage, as well as myriad other financial losses. Companies should strive to protect their data and information assets in order to avoid such a costly event.

The vast majority of employees do their level best to exercise due diligence and protect a company’s digital assets. However, many employees lack the necessary training, and The effectiveness of security awareness training efforts is largely dependent on how employees perceive the program. If staff members view it as another task that reduces their productivity and leads to more stress, they are likely to treat it like an unwelcome chore. That’s why positive employee attitudes are the bedrock of successful cybersecurity programs.

The approach of the US election season is a good time to reflect on cyber threats to our political process, particularly from foreign state adversaries due to their vast resources, advanced capabilities, and malign intent. Cyber threats to our election system also come from other sources, such as hacktivists and criminal organizations, but while they too can create problems, they are not on the same scale or level of competence as those posed by autocratic states like China, Russia, and Iran.

Phishing attacks are a common form of cybercrime that rely on psychological manipulation to trick victims into giving away sensitive information or funds. These attacks often use cognitive biases, which are mental shortcuts that people use to make decisions quickly and easily. Here are the top five cognitive biases used in phishing attacks, along with examples of what the phish might look like for each bias.

One of the most common features of phishing simulations within the enterprise is landing pages that are designed to determine if users will type in their credentials. At first glance, this might seem like a good idea for identifying vulnerable employees. However, it’s actually a form of exploitation that can lead to a punitive culture within the organization.

Cyber crime is on a historic rise this year, and that means you and your employees are also more vulnerable than ever to emerging cyber threats. This Cyber Monday, making sure your workforce, remote and otherwise, understand online shopping safety basics should be a top cybersecurity priority for your organization. According to February 2022 Gallup survey, 42% of US employees have a hybrid work schedule, and 39% work entirely from home, increasing the odds that your employees are doing more online shopping on-the-clock than ever before.

Social engineering refers to any attempt made by one bad actor to influence another person to do something. In the case of cyber security, social engineering is commonly used as a tactic to gain access to systems or credentials that allow the hacker to carry out a malicious cyber attack. If you are a frequent internet user, you must have encountered some intriguing pop-ups on your browser or notifications in your email like “congratulations, you just won an iPhone. Click here to claim,” which tries to lure you into interacting with corrupted links. These are a basic form of social engineering where a hacker is trying to impersonate a trusted source in order to have you give them your information or to have you access their trapped website.

Defending against cyberattacks appears to be trending in favor of hackers as the growing number of phishing attacks trick employees into downloading malware or clicking on a malicious link. That’s why companies of every size would be well-served to improve their cybersecurity awareness training and secure an affordable cyber insurance policy.

Explore the toxic culture within the cybersecurity industry, identify factors fueling this mindset, and discover strategies for promoting positive change, including the adoption of innovative tools!

Explore the importance of positive relationships in fostering a strong security-conscious culture within the cybersecurity industry and learn how tools like PhishFirewall can empower employees with tailored education and simulations.

Explore the importance of addressing mental health in insider threat management and learn how PhishFirewall's AI-driven platform creates an empathetic work environment while improving your organization's security posture.

Explore the importance of positive reinforcement in cybersecurity training and learn how companies like PhishFirewall cultivate a positive culture, empowering employees to combat cyber threats and thrive in an increasingly challenging digital world.

Learn how AI-driven and AI-customized training programs can help organizations mitigate the impact of ego bias in the C-Suite, fostering a proactive security culture and safeguarding cybersecurity.

Learn about different types of social engineering attacks and practical tips for improving awareness and protection!

Discover the concept of the heroic imagination and its relevance to cybersecurity, exploring tips for empowering employees as digital superheroes while addressing potential pitfalls and challenges.

Improve your organization's cybersecurity posture by incorporating PhishFirewall's comprehensive phishing simulation and security awareness training solutions, designed to stop over 99% of phish clicks within six months.

Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize security awareness training by making it more adaptive, engaging, and effective in today's evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Learn why security awareness training is crucial for building your digital immunity, protecting against cyber threats, and fostering a culture of security within your organization.

A fun deep dive into the top cognitive biases that social engineers love to exploit, complete with examples and tips on how to outsmart them. So buckle up, and let's uncover the secrets of the social engineering world!

Learn about the various types of phishing attacks, the role of AI in enhancing their effectiveness, and valuable tips for detecting and defending against these advanced cyberthreats in our comprehensive guide. Stay informed and protect your sensitive information from AI-driven phishing attacks.

Learn how phishing simulations serve as an effective training tool to increase employee awareness, reduce human error, and strengthen your organization's overall cybersecurity posture against growing phishing threats.

Phishing simulations play a crucial role in helping companies defend against cyber attacks by providing a safe environment for employees to learn how to identify and respond to phishing attempts. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top 10 strategies for effective phishing simulations, including focusing on education, communicating the purpose, customizing simulations, praising non-clickers, monitoring progress, offering immediate feedback, encouraging reporting, conducting frequent simulations, using realistic simulations, and analyzing trends. By implementing these tactics, organizations can significantly improve their cybersecurity posture and better protect themselves from potential attacks. With PhishFirewall's fully autonomous AI-driven platform, companies can take their phishing and security awareness training to the next level, ensuring their employees are well-equipped to handle the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Explore the importance of security awareness training in the digital age and discover how gamified security training, like PhishFirewall, can effectively engage employees, improve knowledge retention, and strengthen an organization's cybersecurity posture.

The "you can't patch stupid" mindset in cybersecurity is a dangerous and false belief that human error is unpreventable. This article debunks this myth and highlights the importance of continuous education, awareness, and a positive security culture in mitigating cyber threats.

This comprehensive article explores phishing and deceptive URL use in cybercrime, with a spotlight on Google's newly introduced .zip and .mov domains. It includes analysis of domain registration data, potential misuse of new domains, and offers phishing prevention best practices. The piece is a critical read for anyone seeking to understand the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.