Phishing testing vendors can introduce significant risks to your organisation if they are not secure and trustworthy. Phishing testing is an important component in cyber security strategies. Discover the risks of insecure phishing vendors and understand how ISO 27001 and SOC2 certifications safeguard your data security.By simulating phishing attacks, organisations can identify vulnerabilities in their human security layer and take corrective action.
The Risks of Insecure Phishing Testing Vendors
When an organisation engages a vendor to conduct phishing tests, they grant them permission to bypass standard email security protocols. This typically involves whitelisting or allow-listing the vendor’s email addresses. This permission lets them send emails replicating phishing attacks without the entity’s email security systems blocking them. This privilege, while necessary for testing, can become a major vulnerability if the vendor is not secure:
- Impersonation Risks: Since the vendor has the freedom to send emails due to being whitelisted, their systems might potentially be compromised. An attacker could exploit this by using the vendor’s access to impersonate organisation staff, sending malicious emails that could lead to data breaches or financial losses.
- Data Exposure: Phishing testing involves sensitive data, not only regarding the test itself but potentially personal information about employees. Insecure handling or storage of this data by the vendor could lead to unauthorised access and data breaches.
- Misuse of Access: The vendor might misuse the granted capabilities, either intentionally or accidentally. Ensuring the vendor operates with a high level of integrity and security is essential to alleviate this risk.
The Importance of ISO 27001 and SOC2 Certifications
To mitigate the risks associated with phishing testing, it is crucial to ensure that the chosen vendor can be trusted, is secure and operates under stringent cyber security norms. ISO 27001 and SOC2 certifications are benchmarks in the industry that indicate a vendor’s commitment to cyber security.
As an example Vertex Cyber Security provides Phishing testing as part of its online training platform and is ISO27001 certified. Contact us today!
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