phishing protection for critical infrastructure
PhishCloud’s Mission to Stop the $9.5 Trillion Threat to Critical Infrastructure
Imagine a scenario where only ten phishing emails separate a cybercriminal from access to the power grid. Not thousands, not hundreds—just ten carefully crafted messages. That’s the razor-thin margin of defense protecting our nation’s phishing protection for critical infrastructure from potentially devastating cyber-attacks that could disrupt entire cities. This isn’t the plot of a dystopian novel; it’s happening today. We will break down the numbers, but first, let’s chat about what is behind this blog, and why I shifted to focusing on solving phishing, from being one of the top vulnerability researchers in the Operation Technology space.
Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) has made attacks accessible, cheap, and fast. Gone are the days of “hacker elitism,” where breaking into a network required technical skill, persistence, and a touch of luck. Today, cybercriminals operate with the ease of ordering fast food. Need access to a power grid? Just a few clicks and a subscription to a PhaaS platform, and you’re in business. With a small investment and a handful of phishing emails, attackers can compromise systems with shocking efficiency. PhishCloud was created to counter this threat—designed to give people the tools they need to spot and block phishing attempts that even your most vigilant users might miss.
But let’s rewind. How did we get here?
PhaaS: Phishing is the New Business Model
Phishing, the oldest trick in the hacker playbook, has evolved dramatically. The phrase “it only takes one click” has never been more accurate, with phishing now accounting for nearly 80% of cyberattacks globally. However, unlike the early days when attackers had to create everything from scratch (like I once did), phishing protection for critical infrastructure has a much steeper challenge. Today’s cybercriminals leverage Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platforms, which offer pre-packaged “phishing kits” complete with step-by-step instructions and high-tech cloaking tools. These kits even include options to bypass sophisticated security protocols, ensuring phishing emails look legitimate—even to well-trained employees.
And they’re making bank. These platforms can rake in millions of dollars from attackers seeking quick, easy access to high-value targets. And the worst part? You don’t even need to be an experienced hacker to use them. These kits simplify the process to a degree that would make any tech startup founder jealous.
Why Critical Infrastructure is Now the Number-One Target
We might wonder why attackers would go after critical infrastructure, but here’s the harsh reality: it’s profitable and, frankly, easy. Attacking the power grid, water treatment facilities, transportation networks, or hospitals offers a quick payout and enormous disruption. As a red team leader, I have been on the front lines since 2004, creating incredibly successful phishing campaigns, and as an incident responder for Fortune 500 companies I have been on the other side trying to defend. It comes down to simple math, there are more attacks and users are reporting false positives than ever, making it nearly impossible for security teams to analyze every phishing attempt.
In the past, hackers might have struggled to find vulnerabilities in these sectors, but thanks to the advancement of phishing tactics, particularly with PhaaS, they can sneak into critical systems with minimal effort. Attackers no longer need to breach complex firewalls or guess passwords. With a well-crafted phishing email, they can trick employees into giving them the keys to the kingdom.
Consider this: PhishCloud’s Red Team and Incident Response Team see that, on average, it takes fewer than ten well-crafted phishing emails to penetrate companies, and even critical infrastructure systems. Once inside, attackers often gain full access in under four hours. That means, by lunchtime, an entire city could face a blackout. It’s a sobering thought.
Let’s Talk Numbers: The Rise of Critical Infrastructure Attacks
Since 2020, reported attacks on critical infrastructure have surged. In 2022, the FBI reported that 870 critical infrastructure organizations fell victim to ransomware, affecting 14 of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors. Notably, nearly half of these incidents occurred in the critical manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and transportation systems sectors. This represented a 51% increase from the previous year and has only grown since. This figure only includes reported cases; the actual number is likely higher as companies often underreport incidents.
Worldwide, critical infrastructure attacks have risen even more sharply. With nearly two-thirds of attacks involving phishing, it’s evident that PhaaS is making a considerable impact.
In 2024, the cost of cybercrime is estimated to exceed $9.5 trillion annually, a massive contrast to the $1 trillion in 2020, making it one of the most lucrative forms of criminal activity to ever exist. And PhaaS plays a big role in that. These kits offer everything from spoofed websites to fake login forms, designed to deceive even seasoned professionals. PhaaS has effectively industrialized phishing, removing barriers to entry and enabling a new wave of attacks on high-value targets—underscoring the urgent need for phishing protection for critical infrastructure.
The Power of PhishCloud: A New Defense for a New Era
PhishCloud was created to tackle the growing phishing threat by empowering users—especially those on the front lines. We realized that people aren’t “the weakest link” in cybersecurity; they’re simply unarmed. People are actually the first line of defense, and they need to be equipped accordingly.
PhishCloud’s platform functions as a digital bodyguard for the everyday user. With real-time threat detection, PhishCloud highlights which links are safe and which aren’t using an intuitive traffic light system: green for safe, yellow for suspicious, and red for malicious. This visual guidance is available across all browsing and email platforms, providing users with the insights they need to recognize and avoid phishing attempts before they escalate.
What really sets PhishCloud apart, though, is its intelligence-sharing network. When a threat is detected, PhishCloud doesn’t stop there. It shares the information anonymously across its network, so the next user encountering the same threat gets an immediate warning. This builds a collective defense system—one that safeguards not just individual users but the broader community.
For SOC teams, PhishCloud is an invaluable partner. By identifying genuine threats and providing real-time training for end users, PhishCloud significantly reduces the noise from false positives, allowing SOC teams to focus on actual risks instead of sifting through irrelevant alerts. With PhishCloud, SOC teams gain a clearer view of what needs their attention, enabling them to respond faster and more effectively to high-priority threats.
Fighting Back: The Power of Awareness and Real-Time Knowledge
One of the biggest challenges we face today is moving beyond “awareness.” Most people know phishing is a problem; what they lack is the real-time knowledge to act effectively. PhishCloud provides this knowledge in real-time, educating users about the types of threats they’re facing and giving them the tools to make informed decisions. We’re not just telling people, “Hey, don’t click on suspicious links”; we’re showing them exactly what to look out for, when to act, and how to stay safe.
Consider the implications for critical infrastructure. With a platform like PhishCloud in place, those same ten phishing emails that reach their target are neutralized in 1.7 seconds because the user would have the tools to recognize it as a threat. The attacker’s four-hour window would shrink to zero.
A Call to Action: Protecting the Systems That Matter Most
The stakes have never been higher. We live in an era where a single phishing email can shut down essential services, impacting millions of people. But with the right tools, we can push back against this trend. PhishCloud is here to disrupt the phishing industry itself, to make these attacks as obsolete as rotary phones and dial-up internet.
The time to act is now. Every business, every individual, and every government agency has a role in securing our future. With PhishCloud’s real-time defense, we’re empowering people to take control of their digital safety and building a network of shared defense that grows stronger with each user.
So next time you get an email that seems a little off, ask yourself: Is this just spam, or is it a $10 trillion industry knocking at your door?
