• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Hartman Executive Advisors

Hartman Executive Advisors

Business & IT Strategy Consulting Firm

  • Business Strategy Consulting
  • IT Management Consulting
  • IT Strategy Consulting
  • Risk Management Consulting
  • Telehealth
  • About
    • Careers
    • Community
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Business Strategy Consulting
      • CIO Consulting Services
      • CISO Consulting Services
      • Interim Executive Placement Services
      • M&A Advisory
      • Telehealth Consulting Services
      • IT Coaching & Mentoring
      • Organizational Development
      • Process Engineering
    • Risk Management Consulting
      • CMMC Compliance Services
      • Cyber Risk Assessment
      • Governance, Risk and Compliance
      • Incident Response Planning
      • IT Due Diligence
    • IT Management Consulting
      • Change Management
      • IT Portfolio Management
      • Vendor Selection & Management
    • IT Strategy Consulting
      • Core Banking System Selection
      • FinTech Consulting Services
      • IT Strategy Assessment
      • Software Evaluation
      • Software Selection
      • Virtual Event Technology
  • Industries
    • Construction
    • Education
    • Financial Services
    • Government Contracting
    • Healthcare
    • Human Services
    • Manufacturing, Retail & Distribution
    • Nonprofit & Association
    • Real Estate
    • State & Local Government
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • eBooks
    • Executive Technology Survey Results
    • Maryland CIO Roundtable
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Contact Us
(410) 587-0064 Request a Consultation
(410) 587-0064 Request a Consultation

This Holiday Season, Watch Out for Unexpected Gifts

December 11, 2020 by The Hartman Team

cyber hacker using a computer to get infoDespite a particularly difficult year, there are still many “Grinches” out there seeking to cause harm in the form of cybercrime. At Hartman, we’re seeing a rise in phishing attacks of all kinds across all industries and types of organizations. Cyber criminals know that people are distracted and multitasking during the holiday season, and they don’t hesitate to take full advantage.

It is critical that leaders instruct their employees to slow down and keep an eye open for the major indicators of a phishing email.

Beware of the following:

  • There is always a sense of urgency that is created by the email. For example, “You must change your password” or “You must respond or your account will be removed.”
  • There are often spelling or grammar mistakes. These can be very subtle, with perhaps only one letter changed in an email address or domain.
  • There is often a financial or enticing gain. For example, more money, great savings, a package, days off, etc.

Here are a few additional email safety tips to keep in mind at all times:

  • Keep a particularly critical eye out for shipping notifications and links from FedEx, UPS or other carriers.
  • If your organization has implemented an “External” feature on email, make sure you’re always looking there first to see whether an email has originated from somewhere outside your organization.
  • Always be 100% clear where you are before you enter your credentials. Your credentials are the most important and sensitive piece of information you control.

employee on his computer checking emails Clicking one wrong link can compromise system data without any immediate indication to the user. Examples of this are the harvesting of user contacts such as names, emails, phone numbers, and potentially other personally identifiable information the user has in a contact list. These can then show up in an organization’s client’s email boxes. What seemed to be a benign event can cause unintended issues, thus the unwanted and unexpected “gift.”

Organizations rely on their employees to slow down and be crystal clear about what they are opening, clicking and where they are entering credentials.

Contact Hartman Executive Advisors

Hartman Executive Advisors helps business leaders develop comprehensive risk management strategies that include employee training and testing. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn how we can guide your organization toward a strong cybersecurity posture.

Filed Under: Risk Management Consulting

Primary Sidebar

Types

  • Article
  • Press
  • Vlog
  • Webinar

Topics

  • Associations & Nonprofits
  • Construction
  • COVID-19
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital Transformation
  • Education
  • Featured
  • Financial Services
  • Hartman News
  • Healthcare
  • Human Services
  • Interim Executive Placement
  • IT Due Diligence
  • IT Management
  • IT Strategy
  • Leadership
  • Manufacturing
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Real Estate
  • Risk Management Consulting
  • State & Local Government
  • Strategic Services
  • Systems & Software
  • Telehealth

Related Blogs

corporate governance officer is activating GRC

Benefits Of Governance, Risk & Compliance

November 22, 2021

Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) are three disciplines that can help ensure that a company meets its objectives. This structured approach aims to[...]
Read More

governance risk and compliance concept represented by wooden letter tiles

What Is Governance, Risk & Compliance?

November 15, 2021

Governance, risk, and compliance, or GRC for short, refers to a business’ strategy for managing a broad range of issues relating to corporate [...]
Read More

person typing on a laptop while practicing cybersecurity awareness

Cybersecurity Best Practices For Employees

October 12, 2020

Small businesses have become the target of an increasing number of cyberattacks. According to the U.S. Congressional Small Business Committee, 71 [...]
Read More

Footer

It's Time to Reach Out
Are you ready for independent IT Leadership?
Contact Us

Hartman Executive Advisors

1954 Greenspring Drive Suite 320 Timonium, MD 21093
410-587-0064

Services

  • Business Strategy Consulting
  • Risk Management Consulting
  • IT Management Consulting
  • IT Strategy Consulting

Resources

  • Blog
  • Case Studies
  • eBooks
  • Executive Technology Survey Results
  • Maryland CIO Roundtable
  • Speaking Engagements
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Subscribe to Hartman Executive Insights
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2023 Hartman Executive Advisors · Powered by 321 Web Marketing · Website Privacy Policy & Terms of Use