Phishing at work: how It happens, what comes next, and why support matters

Have you ever wondered what happens in a company after a successful phishing attack, and how it impacts people and the organization?

The scenario might look like this:

1. The Attack
Good morning! A new workday begins. You open your computer, check your corporate email, and among the messages is one supposedly from your admin: “Urgent: Password Change in System X.”

At first glance, the message seems legitimate. The company logo, the style of the email matching official communications, and even a signature from an IT team member you know. The admin explains in detail that the change is due to yesterday’s (fortunately unsuccessful) phishing attempts targeting company employees. Without a second thought, you click the attached link, which redirects you to a page resembling your company’s password management portal. You enter your login details and… that’s it. A cascade of events begins in the background, potentially leading to severe consequences for both you and the company.

2. The Consequences
In hindsight, you notice the URL was slightly different, there was no security certificate, and the email’s tone was somewhat urgent. However, in the fast-paced work environment, it’s hard to scrutinize every detail, especially when the message seems credible. As a result, someone gains access to the company’s critical resources, and the consequences are severe: data loss, potential disruption of business continuity, massive costs, and PR damage.

We’ve heard this story, haven’t we?

But let’s pause for a moment and think about how the phishing attack victim might feel:

• Guilt and Shame: Employees who fall for phishing often feel responsible for the damage caused. They fear losing the trust of their team and, most importantly, their superiors.
• Stress and Anxiety: Understanding the attack’s implications and its serious consequences for the company can cause long-term stress. Victims frequently replay the incident, wondering if they could have prevented it, leading to decreased self-esteem.
• Isolation: Fearing criticism, other employees might distance themselves from the individual who caused the company’s problems, further deepening their sense of loneliness.
• Burnout: Guilt and constant stress can lead to burnout, impacting the individual’s productivity and quality of work.
• Health Issues: Consequences may include symptoms of depression, anxiety, or even severe mental health disorders.

3. Dealing with the Victim
A lot depends on how organizations handle incidents involving social engineering attacks. It’s crucial to recognize that anyone can fall victim to such attacks. While most people might not fall for the infamous “Nigerian Prince” scams, well-crafted scenarios (aided by AI) present a much higher level of difficulty in verifying the message’s authenticity.

How the company treats the victim matters: Will they be reprimanded, immediately terminated, or provided with the necessary support? Approaches can vary, but…

Why Shouldn’t We Blame Phishing Victims?

Because doing so can have far-reaching negative consequences:

• Fear of Reporting Incidents: If employees fear repercussions, they might hesitate to report potential future threats, increasing the risk of another phishing attack.
• Decreased Morale: Punishing an unintentional mistake can lead to reduced motivation and engagement, impacting productivity and workplace satisfaction.

4. Recommended Actions
Instead of assigning blame, learn from the incident through regular security awareness training for employees, implementing MFA/2FA (at least for critical systems), and conducting planned phishing simulations. These initiatives help employees recognize potential threats and know how to respond in the future.

Remember: if the damage is already done, don’t leave the employee to deal with it alone. Offer support, even psychological assistance if needed. According to NFZ (Polish National Health Fund), around 1.2 million people in Poland suffer from depression. Let’s ensure this number doesn’t grow due to incidents in our workplaces.

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