CISO Guidance

1) Is this information credible?

• The information is credible, sourced from Microsoft Threat Intelligence, a reputable entity in cybersecurity.

2) How could this be relevant to my org’s assets, vendors, or processes?

• If your organization uses Workday or similar HR platforms, it could be a target for similar phishing attacks.
• Vendors or partners in the education sector may be compromised, potentially affecting your supply chain.

3) What’s the actual technical risk?

• Risk of unauthorized access to payroll systems and potential financial loss through redirected salary payments.
• Compromise of employee credentials and personal data.

4) What do we need to do to defend/detect/respond?

• Implement phishing-resistant MFA solutions, such as hardware security keys.
• Conduct regular phishing simulation exercises and security awareness training for employees.
• Monitor for unusual login activities and changes in payroll settings.
• Establish a rapid incident response plan for payroll and HR system breaches.

5) What’s the potential business/regulatory exposure?

• Potential financial loss through payroll fraud.
• Regulatory penalties if personal data is compromised, especially under laws like GDPR or CCPA.
• Reputational damage impacting trust with employees and partners.

6) Does it reveal a bigger trend?

• Yes, it highlights an increasing trend of targeted phishing attacks on educational institutions and the exploitation of HR systems.
• Emphasizes the need for stronger social engineering defenses across sectors.

7) What actions or communications are needed now?

• Communicate with HR and IT teams to review and enhance current security measures.
• Inform staff about the specific phishing tactics used and how to recognize them.
• Engage with vendors like Workday to understand additional security measures available.
• Consider a security audit of existing systems to identify potential vulnerabilities.