The Phishing Challenge: How Brazilian Companies Can Defend Themselves

With the advancement of technology, cyberattacks are also on the rise. Today, as we know, every company is a technology company, driven by the pandemic. Naturally, organizations must be vigilant against any type of digital threat, remaining alert in any scenario and updating their security strategies.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly bold, and in Brazil we can see a growth in phishing attempts, which are fraudulent attempts to illegally obtain individuals' data. This can occur through emails, websites, phone calls, and even text messages, deceiving victims. The sheer volume of attempts in various formats presents a growing challenge for institutions.

Artificial Intelligence has "aided" in this evolution of cybercrimes. The emergence of LLMs (Large Language Models), which are advanced language models like ChatGPT, has significantly facilitated the creation of convincing phishing emails that contain no grammatical errors, making them more trustworthy to the average person and more persuasive, complicating detection efforts. There is also QR Code phishing, known as "quishing," which involves the use of manipulated or fake QR codes for malicious purposes.

The new ISG Provider Lens™ report on Cybersecurity - Solutions and Services for Brazil 2024 states that Brazilian companies must strengthen their protection and resilience efforts in light of the increase in cyberattacks. These companies need to take the initiative to build a secure environment, not only by adopting technologies and best practices but also by developing a security mindset throughout the organization, especially at the senior management level, according to the report.

According to the ISG Provider Lens™, there has been a significant increase in phishing attempts in Brazil, involving both corporate and personal emails. These attempts have grown in sophistication, with increasingly well-crafted messages aimed at obtaining advantages, such as paying fake bills and acquiring personal data that allows criminals to carry out subsequent attacks.

Due to the evolution of threats, organizations must organize themselves using three main criteria:

1. Usage of Artificial Intelligence through Machine Learning: to detect phishing emails generated by AI;
2. Develop Apps for QR Code Reading: using apps with advanced security features;
3. Constant Professional Development: this item is the most important. All companies should invest in ongoing education for employees, meaning providing regular training, as well as phishing simulations in various scenarios.

In a digital world, these threats must be taken seriously. Cybersecurity has become a fundamental topic within companies, which must adopt a proactive stance in the face of these adversities. A culture of security and the adoption of effective measures have become crucial for any business.

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