50% of Local Government Officials Could Not Differentiate Between a Genuine Email and a Phishing Attempt

Phishing attacks pose a growing threat to state and local governments. A recent survey showed that all cyberattacks against government agencies have increased frequently.

• 45% of reported cyber incidents were phishing attacks. (Source: Verizon's Data Breach Investigation Report). 
• 75% of local government organizations have experienced at least one phishing attack in the past year. (Source: Proofpoint’s State of the Phish Report). 
• $3.54 million is the average data breach cost for local government agencies. (Source: IBM's 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report)
• 50% of local government officials could not differentiate between a genuine email and a phishing attempt. (Source: StateTech Magazine)

These statistics underscore the increasing threat that phishing attacks pose to state and local governments, highlighting the importance of implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures and employee training programs to safeguard against these attacks.

As phishing attacks become more sophisticated and generative AI-powered, governments must implement advanced cybersecurity measures to protect their organizations. Comprehensive cybersecurity training solutions tailored to the unique needs of state and local government agencies can ensure employees are equipped to identify phishing threats and fortify their defenses against these growing threats, including: 

• Equip employees with practical phishing simulations: Create realistic scenarios to practice identifying and responding to phishing attacks, fostering a more robust security culture.
• Develop tailored and focused training content: Customize phishing simulations and cybersecurity training modules to address the unique risks and vulnerabilities government agencies face, such as safeguarding sensitive citizen data.
• Boost employee threat detection and response speed: Regular generative AI phishing simulations help employees become more skilled in recognizing and reporting phishing attacks, leading to quicker detection and response times.
• Minimize the risk of data breaches with extensive phishing simulations: Implementing comprehensive generative AI phishing simulation and training solutions can significantly reduce the likelihood of employees falling victim to phishing attacks, thus reducing the risk of costly data breaches.
• Strengthen regulatory compliance with continuous training: Government agencies can better meet industry regulations and standards by providing robust phishing simulation and training programs, demonstrating their commitment to securing sensitive data.
• Promote organizational change: Phishing simulation and training initiatives encourage employees to actively contribute to the agency's cybersecurity posture, cultivating a more vigilant and security-aware workforce.
• Stay ahead of emerging threats: Regularly updating phishing simulations and training content ensures government agencies are well-prepared to counter cybercriminals' latest tactics and techniques.

Jericho Software offers multiple ways to help state and local governments mitigate phishing attacks. Here are some additional measures they can provide:

Training Programs: Develop cybersecurity awareness training programs to educate employees on identifying and avoiding phishing attacks.

Simulated Attacks: Conducting simulated phishing attacks to test employees' readiness and identify vulnerabilities.

Compliance Assistance: Helping organizations comply with relevant data privacy and security regulations, such as HIPAA, FISMA, and PCI DSS.

How Jericho Security Can Help:

• Jericho Security's AI-powered platform provides hyper-realistic, personalized phishing simulations to train employees to recognize and report phishing attempts.
• The platform offers real-time feedback and analysis, allowing organizations to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Jericho Security's solution integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructure, providing an additional layer of protection against phishing attacks.

As phishing attacks continue to threaten state and local governments, it's crucial to implement advanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and maintain constituents' trust. Jericho Security's AI-powered phishing simulation and training platform offers a proactive approach to combating phishing threats, ensuring that your organization remains secure and resilient in the face of evolving cyberattacks.

Protect your government agency with Jericho Security and take the first step towards a more secure future.