Securing Microsoft 365 Against Credential Phishing and Account Takeovers with EnGarde Cloud Email Security

As businesses increasingly adopt Microsoft 365 for communication and collaboration, robust email security has become paramount. Credential phishing, a common tactic cybercriminals employ to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, poses a significant threat to organizational integrity and data security, demanding enhanced email threat prevention.

With the evolving landscape of cyber threats, organizations must adopt advanced security measures to protect sensitive information. EnGarde Cloud Email Security offers a sophisticated multi-layered defense that effectively shields Microsoft 365 users from persistent and emerging threats.

Understanding the Landscape of Email Security Threats

The digital threat landscape has undergone significant transformations, resulting in a notable increase in email-based attacks. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), phishing attacks account for approximately 90% of data breaches. Specifically, credential phishing has emerged as a prevalent tactic, with about 70% of organizations reporting at least one phishing attempt in the past year.

Protection Is Static and Single-Layered

EOP, Microsoft 365’s default email protection solution, operates with a static, single-layered approach to threat defense. While it incorporates some basic filtering mechanisms, EOP primarily relies on a retrospective methodology for identifying phishing and malware attacks. This means it reacts to threats after they have been recognized rather than proactively defending against them.

As a result, EOP often fails to protect against human error, which is a common factor in successful phishing attacks. Moreover, its static nature limits its ability to anticipate emerging zero-day attacks or malicious URLs and attachments not included in its predefined lists. 

Cybercriminals continuously evolve their strategies, making it critical for organizations to adopt a more dynamic and proactive security solution. A staggering 94% of malware is delivered via email, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced defenses.

Lack of Customization to Meet Business Security Needs

Another significant drawback of EOP is its lack of customization. Every organization possesses unique security requirements based on its industry, size, and operational dynamics. Unfortunately, EOP’s one-size-fits-all approach results in a limited capacity to identify anomalous emails and social engineering attacks. Consequently, businesses become vulnerable to account takeovers, business email compromise (BEC), and targeted spear phishing attacks.

Research conducted by the Ponemon Institute indicates that the average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million, with compromised credentials identified as a leading cause. This statistic underscores the financial implications of inadequate email security and highlights the necessity for tailored solutions.

Homogeneous Architecture: A Vulnerable Defense

The homogeneity of Microsoft 365’s security architecture further exacerbates the problem. Cybercriminals can exploit this uniformity by testing their methods on any account within the system, enabling them to bypass default filters and security measures. Once they identify effective techniques, they can replicate these methods across thousands of accounts, significantly increasing their chances of success. 

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, compromised accounts account for 20% of breaches, illustrating the potential impact of successful phishing attempts.

Organizations must acknowledge that their security architecture needs to be as dynamic and varied as the threats they face. Relying solely on a homogeneous system can lead to significant vulnerabilities, exposing organizations to various attacks.

Complexity in Configuration and Management

Setting up and managing a secure email environment in Microsoft 365 is a complex endeavor that requires specialized expertise. Unfortunately, many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) lack the IT resources to implement and maintain a secure configuration effectively.

Initial Setup Challenges

The initial setup of Microsoft 365’s security features can be daunting. Organizations often encounter myriad options and configurations that can significantly impact their security posture. Microsoft provides extensive documentation, but navigating this information can be overwhelming for those without a background in IT security.

For example, configuring advanced threat protection settings involves understanding the nuances of anti-phishing policies, anti-spam settings, and safe link configurations. These elements must be carefully tailored to align with the organization’s risk profile. 

A misconfigured setting, such as overly permissive spam filters, can lead to legitimate phishing emails slipping through, compromising the organization’s security.

Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

Even after successful setup, the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance complicates the process further. Microsoft does not provide adequate assistance for continuous monitoring, leaving organizations responsible for identifying and responding to threats. This responsibility includes regularly reviewing security reports, analyzing email logs, and adjusting configurations to adapt to evolving threats.

The absence of a dedicated security team can lead to critical vulnerabilities, as many organizations may overlook potential indicators of compromise (IoCs) in their email environments. Moreover, the lack of routine updates to security settings can expose organizations to newly discovered vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit.

Training and User Awareness

A significant component of effective email security is user awareness. Employees must be trained to recognize phishing attempts and understand the importance of adhering to security protocols. However, many SMBs lack the resources to provide comprehensive training programs.

Organizations must establish a culture of security awareness that encourages employees to report suspicious emails and adhere to best practices for email usage. Regular training sessions can help employees understand the latest phishing techniques and empower them to act as the first defense against email-based threats.

EnGarde Cloud Email Security: A Comprehensive Solution

To effectively address the vulnerabilities associated with Microsoft 365 email security, EnGarde Cloud Email Security provides a robust solution designed to enhance users’ security posture. Here are several key features and benefits of EnGarde:

Advanced Threat Detection 

EnGarde employs advanced machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence to analyze email patterns and identify potential threats in real time. This proactive approach enables it to detect emerging threats and zero-day attacks that traditional methods may miss, ensuring that users remain protected against cybercriminals’ latest tactics.

Customizable Security Policies 

EnGarde allows organizations to tailor security policies to meet their specific needs. This flexibility enables businesses to define parameters for acceptable email behaviors, facilitating identifying abnormal activity that may indicate a phishing attempt or a compromised account.

Multi-Layered Defense

With its multi-layered defense strategy, EnGarde combines threat intelligence, URL scanning, attachment scanning, and user behavior analytics. This comprehensive approach ensures that email threats are identified and mitigated at multiple levels, significantly reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.

User Training and Awareness

Recognizing that human error is a significant factor in successful phishing attacks, EnGarde offers user training programs that educate employees about recognizing phishing attempts and best practices for email security. By fostering a culture of security awareness, organizations can significantly reduce their vulnerability to attacks. 

Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365

EnGarde integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, enhancing existing security features without disrupting workflows. This integration ensures users benefit from robust security measures while maintaining productivity and collaboration. 

Keep Learning About Boosting Microsoft 365 Email Security

As the threat landscape evolves, businesses must prioritize advanced email security measures to protect sensitive information and maintain operational integrity. EnGarde Cloud Email Security is a robust solution, equipping Microsoft 365 users with the tools to avoid credential phishing and other emerging threats.

Continue learning about improving Microsoft 365 email security by exploring the resources below:

• Implementing a comprehensive email security system can help prevent advanced threats, such as targeted spear phishing and ransomware. 
• Following best practices, you can improve your email security posture to protect against attacks.
• Keep the integrity of your email safe by securing the cloud with spam filtering and enterprise-grade anti-spam services.
• Get the latest updates on how to stay safe online.