Phishing attacks remain one of the most common and damaging threats facing organisations today. They arrive in many forms – scam emails, calls, text messages and even QR codes – often attempting to distribute malware, sabotage systems or steal sensitive information. With awareness and protections in place, your organisation can significantly reduce the risks.
Email phishing
The most widespread type of phishing; email scams are designed to trick users into clicking links, downloading attachments, or giving away credentials. Warning signs include:
- Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
- Suspicious sender addresses (e.g. from a free account such as Gmail, or a domain with subtle misspellings)
- Unexpected attachments or links
- Demanding or urgent content (e.g. threats of account suspension)
- Emotional content, designed to provoke a reaction
Spear phishing
Unlike generic phishing, spear phishing is highly targeted. Attackers research specific individuals or organisations, tailoring messages to appear credible and relevant, in an attempt to extract payments or gain access to online accounts and data, where they will commit further crimes such as identity theft or fraud.
Voice phishing (Vishing)
Fraudulent callers impersonate trusted organisations over the phone. Defences include caller ID verification, anonymous call rejection and call-blocking technology.
SMS phishing (Smishing)
Attackers send malicious links via text message, often posing as delivery services, banks, or government bodies. Always verify authenticity, avoid clicking links, and never reply to suspicious messages.
QR code phishing
Malicious QR codes embedded in emails or posters can redirect to credential-stealing websites or trigger malware downloads. Treat unexpected QR codes with the same caution as links.
How to protect your organisation against phishing
In addition to trying to prevent phishing attacks, having protection in place to minimise impact if it does happen, is just as important. Building this resilience requires both technology and people-focused strategies:
- Cyber security awareness training – Teach staff how to spot phishing attempts. Regular phishing simulations can reinforce learning.
- No-blame reporting culture – Encourage staff to report suspicious messages without fear of repercussions and seek help without fear when needed.
- Email security solutions – Deploy advanced filtering tools to block phishing emails before they reach inboxes.
- Password managers – Help to prevent users from entering credentials into fake sites, as password managers shouldn’t autofill fake websites.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords, which should stop access if a password is compromised.
- Domain protection (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) – Validate emails, protect domains from misuse and secure communication channels.
- Endpoint protection & endpoint detection and response (EDR) – Detect and respond to any malware that slips through, on devices such as laptops, desktops and servers.
- Immutable backups – Ensure business continuity if data is compromised via a phishing attack.
- Incident response plan – Act quickly to contain and mitigate any phishing-related breach.
- Strong password policies & role-based access – Reduce the impact if an account is compromised.
- Proactive communication – Inform customers and suppliers about what communication to expect from your organisation (e.g. “We will never ask for your password” or detail how you would communicate a change of bank details with them).
Final thoughts
Phishing is becoming more sophisticated, but by combining employee training, technical safeguards, and a clear response plan, organisations can drastically reduce their exposure and risk of these attacks. The key is awareness and preparedness: empower your team, secure your systems, and stay proactive in protecting both your business and those you work with. For advice and guidance on protection for your organisation, contact us here to speak to one of our technical team.