Protecting Your Business: The Growing Threat of Business Email Compromise

In today's digital landscape, your business's greatest asset isn't just its products or services, it's trust. Unfortunately, that trust is under constant threat from sophisticated cybercriminals specializing in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks.

The Stark Reality of Business Fraud

The numbers are alarming: 80% of businesses faced a fraud attack in 2024. Even more concerning, only 22% of victimized businesses successfully recover their stolen funds, and those recoveries account for just 10% of total losses. These aren't just statistics, they're a wake-up call for every business owner and financial decision-maker.

How BEC Attacks Operate

Imagine this scenario: Cybercriminals quietly infiltrate a legitimate business email account. They don't just break in, they become invisible observers. For weeks, they monitor email traffic, learning your communication patterns, waiting for the perfect moment to strike when a major payment is due.

Their tactics are sophisticated:

• Stealing passwords through social engineering
• Intercepting and manipulating email communications
• Requesting sensitive employee information
• Hiding their tracks by forwarding and deleting emails

Recognizing the Red Flags

Stay alert for these warning signs:

• Unexpected urgency in communications
• Pressure to act quickly without verification
• Unfamiliar pop-up windows
• Suspicious email attachments
• Subtle changes in communication patterns

Your Defense Strategy

Protecting your business isn't about creating impenetrable walls, it's about building smart, adaptive defenses.

1. Continuous Employee Training: Your team is your first line of defense.
2. Regular Security Audits: Know your vulnerabilities before criminals do.
3. Technology Safeguards:
   • Keep software up to date
   • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   • Use Secure Email Gateways (SEGs)
   • Deploy Domain-based Message Authentication (DMARC)

Your Comprehensive Protection Checklist

Download the Business Email Compromise Checklist to guide you through prevention and recovery strategies. Download Your BEC Protection Checklist

Our Commitment to Your Security

At Northern Bank, we believe protecting your business is about more than preventing financial loss. It's about preserving the trust you've built with your clients, employees, and partners.

Cybersecurity isn't a one-time fix, it's an ongoing partnership. We're here to help you stay one step ahead of potential threats, transforming challenges into opportunities for stronger, more secure business operations.