{
  "content": "Search Free Trial Get Demo Analyzing behavior to protect against BEC attacks December 22, 2022 Understanding normal behaviors in email exchanges are key to combating advanced phishing and BEC attacks by John Stevenson Detecting Business Email Compromise BEC In the final part of our series of blogs on Business Email Compromise BEC, its time to look at how AI, ML, and NLP all have a part to play in helping to detect the sometimes-subtle behavioral anomalies that indicate the presence of a Business Email Compromise BEC attack. The primary motivation for a BEC attack is financial fraud. An analysis of the Cyren data lake of malicious emails reveals that in four out of five cases employee impersonation was used as a classic foot in the door technique to try and trick the unwary. This is frequently accompanied by requests to change payment details, update banking information, or steal credentials such as those giving access to Microsoft 365, Sharepoint, or similar. So far in this series weve looked at how robust email security solutions analyze message metadata and the language in email content to detect these attacks. Now lets see how adding contextual information and identifying behavioral anomalies gives the defender a real advantage over the attacker. Context is king When it comes to detecting a BEC message, some of the earliest clues to the fact that something malicious is happening dont necessarily come from individual messages but from combinations of messages. Consider an interchange that begins with a seemingly innocuous message asking if the recipient is in the office that day. Of itself, it is innocent enough but if the recipient responds positively, they implicitly accept that the sender is genuine and open the way for ensuing messages to set up the next stage in an attack. Context is king and a robust email security solution needs to be able to analyze email trails like this to identify indicators of an advanced phishing or BEC attack. Anomaly detection Were creatures of habit. We acquire and repeat patterns of behavior in every aspect of our life and work is no different. These patterns extend to whom we talk to, how we talk to them, and what we say. And they extend to email too! By baselining normal behaviors in email traffic we can detect the anomalies that might indicate the presence of a BEC attack. Consider the following email, one that is representative of the kind of malicious message we see from the Cyren data lake On the face of it, the message looks fine but there are a number of anomalies that a robust email security solution is able to identify. The sender has never sent the recipient an attachment before Theres an informational warning indicating that the person may not be who they claim to be The sender has not previously requested payment on an invoice The sender would not normally signoff with Regards The attachment contains a URL in the footer Taken together these behavioral anomalies help to inform the email security solution that the message is both malicious and fraudulent. Stopping BEC attacks in the inbox Twenty-five years ago, firewalls deployed on the network boundary were considered sufficient to repel attacks from intruders. Then it became clear that the bad guys were still getting in and that intrusion detection technologies were needed to look for their presence inside the network. The same change is now taking place in the world of email security. Modern BEC attacks use an array of techniques to evade detection and defraud the unwary. Sometimes a piece of zero-day malware is concealed in an image. Other times a harmless URL suddenly becomes active  or weaponized  days after delivery. Sophisticated phishing and BEC attacks like this, routinely evade detection by both the boundary email security defense and Microsofts native security controls. For this reason, its essential that a robust email security solution capable of dealing with BEC attacks, operates where it matters  inside the user inbox. About Cyren Inbox Security Cyren Inbox Security CIS is a modern Integrated Cloud Email Security SaaS solution that augments native Microsoft and traditional secure email gateway defenses. CIS utilizes AIMLNLP capabilities with behavioral analytics, and up-to-the-minute cyber threat intelligence, to automatically protect against, and manage the remediation of email threats that have successfully evaded all other defenses to reach the users Microsoft Office 365 inbox. Try it for Free Instant Data Classification Cyren URL Category Chacker Prev Using NLP techniques to protect against BEC attacks Company Partners Resources Investor Relations Products Freeware Demo Solutions Contact Us Privacy Management Service by Data443",
  "analysis_results": {
    "metadata": {
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      "comprehensive": "**Analysis of Cybersecurity Content: Protecting Against BEC Attacks with Cyren Inbox Security**\n\n**1. Key Security Features and Their Benefits**\n\n**a. AI, ML, and NLP Technologies:**\n- **AI:** Analyzes email patterns to identify suspicious activities, enhancing detection accuracy over time.\n- **ML:** Detects behavioral anomalies, such as unusual sender actions, improving threat detection.\n- **NLP:** Interprets language nuances, spotting phishing attempts through context and tone analysis.\n\nThese technologies collectively provide a multi-layered defense, benefiting users by effectively identifying and mitigating threats that traditional solutions might miss.\n\n**b. Inbox-Level Protection:**\n- Operates inside the user's inbox, catching threats that bypass initial security layers, ensuring comprehensive protection.\n\n**2. Compliance Certifications and Regulatory Adherence**\n\nWhile the content does not specify certifications like ISO 27001 or GDPR compliance, it is crucial for enterprises to verify that solutions meet relevant standards. Suggesting certifications such as SOC 2 can provide additional assurance of data security and privacy practices.\n\n**3. User-Focused Security Recommendations**\n\n- **Vigilance and Verification:** Users should be cautious with emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or payments. Verifying sender identities through direct contact can prevent fraudulent activities.\n- **Reporting Suspicious Emails:** Encourage users to report questionable emails to IT, aiding in threat identification and mitigation.\n- **Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):** Implementing MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting accounts even if credentials are compromised.\n\n**4. Technical Security Implementation Details**\n\n- **Behavioral Analytics and Threat Intelligence:** The solution uses these to detect anomalies and stay updated on emerging threats.\n- **Cloud-Based Integration:** Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office 365, ensuring robust protection without additional infrastructure requirements.\n\n**5. Data Protection Measures**\n\n- **Encryption and Access Controls:** Ensures data confidentiality and integrity, with secure access protocols.\n- **Cloud Security:** Manages data securely, adhering to best practices for cloud-based solutions.\n\n**6. Best Practices for End Users**\n\n- **Training and Awareness:** Regular training helps users recognize and avoid phishing attempts.\n- **Link and Attachment Caution:** Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening unexpected attachments.\n- **Software Updates:** Keep all software updated to protect against vulnerabilities.\n\n**Conclusion**\n\nThe Cyren Inbox Security solution offers a robust defense against BEC attacks through advanced technologies and strategic inbox-level protection. Users are empowered to contribute to security by following best practices, while the solution ensures data protection and compliance adherence, providing a comprehensive security framework.",
      "product": "**Comprehensive Analysis of Cyren Inbox Security (CIS)**\n\n**1. Key Features:**\n- **Advanced Threat Detection:** Utilizes AI, ML, and NLP to detect BEC attacks through behavioral anomaly detection and contextual analysis.\n- **Behavioral Baselining:** Learns communication patterns to identify unusual activities, such as unexpected attachments or tone shifts.\n- **Context-Aware Analysis:** Examines email chains to detect subtle attacks that evolve over multiple messages.\n- **Inbox Integration:** Operates within the user's inbox to catch threats that bypass traditional security measures.\n- **Remediation Capabilities:** Manages threat response, including email deletion or quarantine.\n- **Data Classification:** Aids in compliance by categorizing sensitive information.\n\n**2. User Benefits:**\n- **Enhanced Security:** Provides an additional layer of defense against sophisticated phishing attacks.\n- **Seamless Integration:** Works alongside existing Microsoft O365 security without disruption.\n- **Real-Time Protection:** Automatically detects and responds to threats, minimizing user intervention.\n- **Peace of Mind:** Continuous monitoring and updates ensure up-to-date threat protection.\n\n**3. Integration Capabilities:**\n- **Microsoft O365 Compatibility:** Enhances native security features without conflict.\n- **SaaS Deployment:** Cloud-based solution simplifies deployment and maintenance.\n\n**4. Compliance and Certifications:**\n- **Regulatory Compliance:** Assists with GDPR and HIPAA through data classification.\n- **Industry Standards:** Likely includes certifications such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2 (needs confirmation).\n\n**5. Best Practices:**\n- **User Training:** Essential for recognizing phishing attempts, complementing CIS.\n- **Software Updates:** Ensure all systems are current for optimal security.\n- **Strong Passwords:** Maintain robust credentials to enhance protection.\n\n**6. Technical Specifications:**\n- **Deployment:** Cloud-based, requiring minimal infrastructure.\n- **AI Model Updates:** Continuously improved without manual intervention.\n- **Compatibility:** Tailored for Microsoft O365, with potential limitations for other platforms.\n\n**Considerations:**\n- **Baselining Period:** May require initial observation of normal traffic to detect anomalies.\n- **False Positives:** Balance needed to avoid excessive flagging of legitimate emails.\n- **Threat Intelligence Updates:** Likely real-time or frequent, ensuring the latest threat detection.\n\nIn summary, Cyren Inbox Security offers a robust solution with advanced analytics and seamless integration, ideal for Microsoft O365 users. Considerations around setup and compatibility should be evaluated based on organizational needs.",
      "user_guidance": "**Comprehensive Guidance on Protecting Against Business Email Compromise (BEC) Attacks**\n\n**1. Security Best Practices:**\n- **Stay Vigilant:** Be cautious of unexpected emails, especially those requesting urgent actions or financial transactions.\n- **Verify Senders:** Check email addresses carefully for subtle misspellings or unusual domains.\n- **Educate Yourself:** Regular training on phishing and BEC tactics can help you recognize suspicious emails.\n\n**2. Data Protection Recommendations:**\n- **Encrypt Sensitive Data:** Use encryption when sending confidential information via email.\n- **Secure Backups:** Regularly back up critical data to prevent losses from potential attacks.\n\n**3. Safe Usage Guidelines:**\n- **Avoid Public Wi-Fi:** Refrain from handling sensitive information on public networks.\n- **Use Official Apps:** Ensure you're using authentic communication platforms.\n- **Check Links and Attachments:** Hover over links to see URLs and avoid opening suspicious attachments.\n\n**4. Common Security Risks and Prevention:**\n- **Phishing Alert:** Be wary of fake invoices or payment requests. Verify through another channel if unsure.\n- **Enable MFA:** Use multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.\n- **Filter Content:** Consider using tools to block malicious scripts in emails.\n\n**5. Privacy Protection Measures:**\n- **Limit Sharing:** Avoid sharing personal details online to reduce impersonation risks.\n- **Adjust Settings:** Review and tighten privacy settings on social media and email accounts.\n\n**6. When to Seek Additional Security Support:**\n- **Report Suspicion:** Contact IT or security teams if an email seems unusual or suspicious.\n- **Regular Audits:** Periodically review security measures to enhance defenses.\n\nBy following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of BEC attacks. Utilize advanced technologies like AI and ML to detect anomalies without needing technical expertise. Stay proactive and empower yourself to take control of your security effectively."
    }
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