Real-Time Coaching Helps Mitigate Threats

Fortifying your organization’s human firewall represents the last line of defense against cyber-attacks and data breaches. Security awareness training is one of the best ways to teach your team best practices to help mitigate or even prevent breaches. Another is real-time coaching of users in response to risky security behaviors by sending the right education at the moment of risky action. To accomplish this, a real-time coaching platform consolidates alert data from your organization’s security stack (endpoint management, email/web, identity access, SIEM/SOAR, etc.), analyzes it, then determines which threats provide the best opportunities to coach your users. Real-time coaching presents the chance for organizations to fortify their human firewall against an array of social engineering threats in a manner that is easy for users to understand and learn quickly. The following is an excerpt from our partner KnowBe4’s complete white paper. Read the complete document here.

7 Social Engineering Threats

1. Downloading Potentially Dangerous File Attachments
   Many social engineering attempts revolve around getting a potential victim to download and/or open a dangerous file attachment, such as an EXE, DOC or HTML file. Many of the aforementioned security tools will block the majority of high-risk file downloads. However, when integrated with real-time coaching, these actions can be used as an opportunity to train users not to download potentially malicious files.
2. Clicking on High-Risk Links
   Many social engineering attempts contain malicious URLs masquerading as a trusted link from a particular vendor or trusted source. Again, many of the aforementioned security tools will block these rogue links. But when integrated with real-time coaching, this alert data can be used to remind users to hover over URL links to inspect it for legitimacy before clicking on it.
3. Content Filtering
   Many security tools block objectionable content as defined by an organization’s content policies. For example, a user might try to watch a violent video or get tricked into reading questionable/inappropriate content. Access to this content is blocked, and the user can be presented with a warning message to avoid similar content because it is against an organization’s policies.
4. Executing or Installing Unauthorized Software
   Users often try to install software not approved by the organization. A security application control program would block the install or execution, while real-time coaching could be used to remind users not to install unauthorized applications or services in addition to other relevant information.
5. Initiating Rogue Outbound Connections
   Certain network traffic analysis and monitoring tools identify rogue outbound connections to known malicious locations. When paired with a real-time coaching platform, the user could be reminded not to install or use any unauthorized communication software or services.
6. Trying to Login Into Unauthorized Computers
   Within most organizations, computer-to-computer logins are rare. A primary sign of malicious activity is unexpected logins coming from one computer to another without there being a legitimate reason. Many of the aforementioned security tools will block these rogue connections, and a real-time coaching platform could remind users not to attempt to log into computers they are not authorized to use.
7. Trying to Bypass Multi-Factor Authentication Requirements
   Many organizations require users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to login to the organization’s networks or computers. Users who attempt to bypass MFA or use an unauthorized form of MFA will typically invoke a detection and blocking mechanism. A real-time coaching platform could be used to remind users they must use a company-approved MFA login.

Ultimately, people are more likely to accept correction when their mistakes are immediately identified and security best practices are provided in real time. Real-time coaching accomplishes this, allowing your organization to:
• Reinforce existing security awareness training
• Gain insight into security risks by tracking trends in your users’ risky activity over time
• Reduce human risk and improve your organization’s overall security culture
• Extend the value of your existing security stack by integrating with common security tools you already leverage

Turn the table on threat actors and their mischievous tactics by adding real-time security coaching to your security awareness toolset. Global CTI can help with several solutions that can help you automate training and minimize its impact on the IT team. Give us a call at 800-366-1711 or email  Sales@GCTI.com