Emails remain one of the key tools of communication. It also remains a favorite target of bad actors. Here, we will see what threats, mitigation tactics, and technology adoption for enterprise email systems we can expect in 2025.
AI/ML to combat GenAI threats
Generative AI’s capabilities are being used and misused. The bad actors are actively using the technology to create and launch a variety of cyber threats. The threats include novel threats, zero-day exploits, and spear-phishing attacks that specifically manipulate environment-specific vulnerabilities. So how does AI help the good guys? First, let us see how the components of AI help enhance security,
- Machine learning: This is a no-brainer. Machine learning analyzes data patterns and develops the ability to detect threats.
- Deep learning: This component is extremely useful for identifying complex-er attacks by analyzing data, including web traffic, to identify complex or anomalous patterns indicating attack/s.
- NLP: This can scan threat reports, black hat forums, and security news to enable proactive threat detection and mitigation.
Thus, an AI/ML-equipped security tool allows users to pivot to proactive defense from reacting to incidents. The tool’s capabilities provide real-time threat detection and predictive security, while its automation capabilities reduce response time by automating threat classification and assessment. This is especially effective for protection against attacks like spear-phishing and
Shift towards post-delivery remediation
No security system can provide one hundred per cent security. There are always exploitable bugs that are later patched. But these bugs can be weaponized to launch what are called “zero-day” threats. Another issue is that the bad actors are now relying less on sending malware through email, as it can be flagged and neutralized before it reaches the targets. The mails now contain no malicious loads, except language. The language contains the typical hallmarks of scams. Impersonating an important person and imposing a sense of urgency to perform activities like sharing credentials. These mails easily get past the perimeter. In such a situation, post-delivery remediation is getting popular, as it helps reduce the fallout, while the software’s AI capabilities learn from such emails to block mails with similar patterns.
Increased API integration
By this time, it is a clichéd term, but it is true that cloud migration has accelerated. APIs play a key role in the process. They allow different software to operate seamlessly. The same holds true for email systems. Enterprises are increasingly opting for cloud-based services like Microsoft 365, rather than traditional on-premises systems. Gateway security is insufficient for such systems. As stated in the previous trend, these systems may not be able to detect such mails, unfondly called Business Email Compromise (BEC). Thus, there is a necessity for security systems to access, scan, and act on email data inside the email environment without rerouting email traffic. This task can be performed through APIs. These can also emulate the benefits of inline protection like scanning and quarantining “bad” emails. Thus, we can expect email solutions to provide increased API integration.
More focus on compliance
Email remains a key communication channel for enterprises. The norms about data privacy, security, and data protection are becoming even more stringent. Thus, enterprises will prefer solutions offering DLP protection, audit trails, and advanced encryption to stay compliant with increasingly stringent privacy and data protection laws.
Shining a brighter light on humans
Threat actors are keeping a firm focus on humans, despite the risks involved with activities like clicking unknown links, downloading files, or being tricked into giving over valuable information like credentials. These activities can not only result in cyber incidents that can lead companies into the danger of compliance violations with serious consequences. Targeted attacks involving spear phishing and BEC are frequently used by threat actors. Therefore, increased training for employees is expected to reduce the risk, such as spear phishing by providing them with the tools necessary to spot signs such as spoofing or BEC, allowing enterprises to maintain/improve their security posture.
Integration with XDR for quicker incident response
Emails remain a key initial attack vector. Not only is email an essential part of our daily routine, but it also allows widespread distribution of threats like embedded malware, and there is no need to even use malware. Victims can be lured by just plain writing. All of these factors underline the need for quicker incident response. This ability can be achieved through integrations with systems like SOAR and XDR. Such integrations allow organizations to isolate the bad mail and block its payload. It can also provide context for such emails that can be used to update threat intelligence and allow the security teams to investigate such incidents more quickly.
Integration with authentication tools
Spoofing and impersonation attacks also dent the brand image. One key way to combat this menace is the adoption of authentication protocols like DMARC, DKIM, and SPF. Therefore, we can expect to see more email security products offer these protocols as a part of their security software.