Cybersecurity risks and response strategies for business email compromise

Cybersecurity incidents, particularly business email compromise, pose significant operational, legal, and reputational risks to organizations. These breaches often begin with phishing attempts where employees inadvertently provide credentials to fraudulent login pages for services like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.

Once an account is compromised, attackers can gain access to cloud storage, customer communications, and financial documents. Because legitimate users may still be able to use the account normally, these breaches can go undetected for extended periods.

Effective management of such incidents requires pre-established incident response plans and a clear chain of command. Organizations are advised to create a ‘circle of trust’ to manage communications, legal advice, and regulatory obligations to minimize liability and preserve credibility during a crisis.