Email isn’t broken — it’s just being exploited

Every regulated organization — from banks and hospitals to law firms — runs on email. It’s where contracts are signed, patient records are requested, and money quietly changes hands. Unfortunately, it’s also where cybercriminals do their best work.

Business email compromise (BEC), phishing, and account takeover attacks continue to succeed not because your team isn’t smart — but because email was never built with today’s threats in mind.

Cybercrime has shifted from loud to quiet

Most modern attacks don’t start with malware or brute force. They start with a single email: a fake invoice from a trusted vendor, a compromised Microsoft 365 account used to launch internal phishing, or a quiet inbox rule that forwards sensitive emails offsite. The goal isn’t to cause a scene. It’s to slip in, watch, and extract value over time — often without detection.

Compliance doesn’t equal security

HIPAA, FINRA, GDPR — they all outline controls. But passing an audit doesn’t mean you’re protected. Regulations focus on retention and encryption, not active threat monitoring or real-time response. That’s why even compliant firms are still getting breached. Real protection requires behavioral threat detection, advanced inbox controls, and human threat analysts behind the scenes.

Where most companies fall short

Even firms with strong IT teams often assume Microsoft 365’s default settings are “secure enough,” that user training alone will prevent mistakes, or that encryption is the same thing as threat protection. These assumptions leave real gaps in visibility and response.

The executive’s role in securing email

You don’t need to understand the technical underpinnings of phishing kits or DMARC failures. But you do need to know this: if your firm handles sensitive data — and relies on email — then your cybersecurity strategy begins at the inbox. And it doesn’t end with a checkbox.

The right partner won’t just block spam. They’ll help you understand where the risk is, secure your communications, and respond quickly when something doesn’t look right.

Ready for a second opinion? Book a free executive briefing with Cloudstar. We’ll show you where your real risks are — and how to fix them.