Phishing Is Still the #1 Attack Vector — Here's What to Do About It

Billions are spent on cybersecurity each year, yet phishing remains the number one way attackers get in. Why? Because it works. Human psychology, increasingly sophisticated attacks, and AI-generated content have made phishing harder to spot than ever. A layered defense strategy is the only effective response.

Why Phishing Works

Attackers exploit urgency, curiosity, and trust. AI now produces convincing, grammatically flawless emails. Impersonation of executives, vendors, and support teams is common. One click on a malicious link or attachment can hand over credentials or deploy malware. No single technology can stop every attempt—humans will make mistakes.

Layers of Defense

Email filtering blocks known bad senders and obvious threats before they reach the inbox. Link sandboxing opens suspicious URLs in isolated environments to detect malware and credential harvesters. DMARC, SPF, and DKIM reduce spoofing by validating that messages actually come from the domains they claim. Security awareness training educates users to recognize and report phishing. Simulated phishing campaigns measure resilience and reinforce learning. Each layer catches what others miss.

Real Results

Organizations with layered email security and regular awareness training see 50–70% reductions in successful phishing incidents. Users who undergo ongoing simulation and training report more phishing attempts instead of clicking them. The investment pays off in fewer breaches and lower incident response costs. Don’t bet your security on a single control—build a defense in depth that assumes some emails will get through and prepares users and technology to handle them.