Phishing is getting smarter – and more dangerous
Phishing emails are still one of the biggest ways hackers get into systems. You know the type: an “urgent” message that looks like it’s from your boss or IT team, with a link you’re told to click right away. One click, and hackers are inside your systems, often without you knowing until it’s too late.
The problem? Phishing attacks are evolving. Now, cybercriminals can buy phishing services, just like you’d hire a marketing agency. It’s called Phishing-as-a-Service (PHaaS), and it makes attacks faster, more convincing, and more dangerous than ever.
Even worse – attackers are now focusing on stealing login details for cloud-based tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Once inside, they can impersonate staff, access sensitive data, and cause real damage. This kind of breach is called Cloud Account Takeover (CATO).
And the cost? On average, a phishing-related breach costs organisations around $4.76 million. That’s not something any business wants to deal with.
Why executives are high-value targets
Attackers don’t go after just anyone – they go for senior leaders. CEOs, CFOs, and other executives are often targeted because they have access to critical systems and data.
Cybercriminals use tools like Evil Proxy to impersonate trusted people and trick executives into giving up access – a method known as spear phishing. These attacks are highly personalised and hard to spot.
So, how can you protect your organisation?
Many businesses are turning to passwordless solutions like FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication. Instead of relying on passwords, users log in by tapping a secure device they physically own (like a USB token or a phone app). This means even if someone steals your login details, they can’t access your account unless they also have your physical device.
It’s a simple way to block phishing attacks – and make security easier for your team at the same time.
But what about systems that don’t support FIDO?
One of the main reasons companies have been slow to adopt FIDO is that many older, on-premises systems don’t support it. That’s where RSA Security steps in with a smart solution.
As a Gold RSA Partner, we help organisations implement RSA’s hybrid authentication tools. These tools bridge the gap between old and new systems, so you can:
✔️ Use FIDO authentication for cloud tools like Microsoft 365
✔️ Use one-time passwords (OTP) for legacy systems
✔️ Keep all accounts – cloud and on-prem – protected under one consistent approach
Examples include:
✔️ RSA Authenticator App 4.5: Turns your phone into a secure login tool
✔️ RSA iShield Key 2: A hardware key supporting FIDO2, OTP, and more
✔️ RSA DS100: A device that works with both cloud and legacy systems
Simple steps to reduce your risk today
Protecting your business from phishing and account takeovers doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are a few practical steps:
✔️ Train your team to spot suspicious emails
✔️ Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible
✔️ Audit your systems regularly to close any gaps
✔️ Layer your security (don’t rely on just one solution)
✔️ Keep your security policies up to date
Be ready before the next attack hits
Phishing and cloud account takeovers aren’t going away – they’re only getting smarter. But with the right authentication strategy in place, you can make it incredibly hard for attackers to succeed.
As a Gold RSA Partner, we help businesses roll out secure, user-friendly solutions that work across all systems – old and new.
Want to find out how to reduce your risk with passwordless and multi-factor authentication? We’re here to help.