Cybersecurity doesn’t depend solely on your IT and InfoSec teams. Everyone in your organization has a role to play, regardless of their role or seniority.
Business owners, managers, C-suite executives, board members, and other key decision-makers are prime targets for cyber criminals because they have:
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Privileged access to sensitive information: They often handle financial data, confidential projects, and proprietary information.
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Authority: They’re more likely to be trusted or obeyed by others. As a result, cybercriminals often impersonate them in phishing messages to pressure the recipients into action.
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Busy schedules: Stress and pressure can make them more susceptible to deceptive emails or urgent requests.
Key security practices for managers and executives
Managers and senior executives must lead by example and promote best practices. They also need to be extra vigilant about their own security. As a manager, you must:
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Always verify information requests: Do not reply until you are sure the request is real. This is especially important if it’s urgent or comes from an unexpected source.
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Limit access permissions: Control access to corporate systems and files using the principle of least privilege. Only give people the information they really need.
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Stay informed with regular security training: Stay updated about the latest cyber threats and learn to spot the warning signs of suspicious activity.
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Build security awareness in your team: Ensure everyone understands the criticality of cyber security and follows best practices every day.
The more senior you are, the more you’re exposed to risk
Recent reports highlight the increasing frequency of cyberattacks targeting C-suite executives, board members, and other key decision-makers. And their families and friends are also in the cybercriminals’ sights.
In a 2023 BlackCloak survey, 42% of organizations reported that one of their senior executives or their family members had been the target of a cyber attack in the previous two years. A 2024 GetApp survey found that 72% of US senior executives had been targeted at least once in the previous 18 months.
Most of these attacks used social engineering tactics such as phishing and impersonation, and stolen data traded on the dark web. Some used AI and deepfakes.
Yet even though senior executives are a high-value target, they’re often left exposed. For example, they’re more likely to connect remotely and use personal devices to work outside of office hours. This leaves them especially vulnerable to social engineering, malware infections, and attackers targeting their home networks.
They may also be exempt from corporate security training programs that are mandatory for their more junior colleagues. This can leave them less alert to the dangers.
Many organizations aren’t doing enough to protect their senior executives from cybersecurity risks. Is yours?
The value of credential monitoring
Credential monitoring solutions such as Cybercheck are a powerful way to protect your organization. By infiltrating criminal networks, Cybercheck’s analysts gain knowledge of breaches and recover data leaks to detect compromised credentials and alert you immediately.
You can then ensure that your cybersecurity policy includes steps to invalidate compromised credentials and diffuse the threat to your email, login credentials, phone numbers, and credit cards, both work and personal. For example, by prompting the changing of passwords associated with compromised identity records.
VIP monitoring: Extra protection for key people most at risk
Cybercheck’s VIP monitoring feature provides enhanced protection for business owners, C-suite executives, and other key people.
We alert you if any of their data or credentials, either business or personal, have fallen into the wrong hands. That means you can block access before a data breach occurs.
This gives them extra protection against targeted attacks such as impersonation and credential theft.
