Hook, Line, and Sinker: Phishing in ECCs

Sunday, July 27 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Megan Bixler, APCO International

Attendees explored the evolving landscape of phishing threats and their impact on emergency communications. This presentation provided a comprehensive overview of how phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, leveraging social engineering tactics to deceive even the most vigilant professionals. With ECCs being high-value targets, the session emphasized the critical need for awareness and proactive defense.

Participants were guided through the anatomy of a phishing attempt, learning to identify common red flags such as suspicious sender addresses, urgent or manipulative language, and unexpected attachments or links. Real-world examples were dissected to highlight how cyber threat actors exploit trust and familiarity to gain access to sensitive systems and data.

Actionable strategies for prevention and response were also discussed. These included implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), deploying advanced email filtering tools, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness through regular training.

This session discussed the importance of Cyber Incident Response Plans for emergency communications. This is a structured approach to detecting, reporting, and mitigating phishing incidents, ensuring that agencies can respond swiftly and effectively respond to a cyberattack.