# Phishing Attacks Are Evolving. Is Your Organisation Still Receiving Files by Email?

Phishing remains the **most pervasive cybersecurity threat** across sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and government. And yet, many organisations continue to receive files, documents, and sensitive information via **traditional email**, leaving a critical gap in their security posture.

In a time when one malicious attachment can paralyse an entire system, it’s time to ask:

### **Why are we still allowing unknown parties to drop files into our inboxes?**

## **The Ongoing Threat of Phishing**

According to the [European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)](https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/enisa-news/phishing-remains-top-threat-according-to-enisa-threat-landscape-report), phishing was the **top vector for initial compromise** in both 2022 and 2023. It accounts for a significant portion of ransomware attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and credential theft.

Recent examples highlight the stakes:

- **University of Manchester (2023):** Suffered a major data breach via a phishing attack that compromised personal and health data of students and staff ( [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-65927407)).
- **Pepco Group (2024):** In February 2024, Pepco Group, a major European retailer, lost around €15.5 million in a phishing attack targeting its Hungarian branch. Attackers crafted convincing phishing emails to facilitate fraudulent money transfers, exploiting advanced AI tools to mimic legitimate communications. [Read More](https://www.iisf.ie/Pepco-phishing-attack)

Even highly trained users can fall for phishing attempts, especially when attackers impersonate familiar senders or mimic internal systems.

## **Why Email Is No Place for Receiving Files**

Standard email lacks the controls needed to **verify senders**, **inspect incoming content**, or **enforce security policy**. Even with basic email filtering, threats frequently get through. And once they do, they depend on **human error** to succeed.

### **High-risk submissions often received via email include:**

- Patient records and scans
- CCTV footage and investigation evidence
- Subject Access Requests (SARs) & FOI requests
- Family law and domestic abuse case files
- Legal documents and HR complaints

These files are often sent from **external users**, including the general public, making identity spoofing and payload injection difficult to detect before damage is done.

## **The Solution: Verified Messaging and File Sharing with Wizuda CFS**

**Wizuda Compliant File Share (CFS)** replaces risky email-based submissions with a **secure, policy-driven platform** designed to protect against impersonation, phishing, and malicious content.

**Wizuda Drops: Controlled, Secure File Intake**

**Wizuda Drops** is a feature within CFS that allows your organisation to receive files and messages from verified, authorised users only. It replaces untrusted inboxes with a **secure portal**, backed by strong identity controls.

**Key benefits:**

- **Whitelist/Blacklist Control**: Only approved individuals or domains can send you data
- **Sender Verification**: External parties are registered and authenticated—no anonymous uploads
- **Restrict File Types & Sizes**: Accept only what’s needed; block risky formats
- **Malicious Content Protection**: Integrated scanning blocks harmful payloads before they land
- **Full Traceability**: Every action is logged-view when files are sent, accessed, or revoked
- **Approval Workflows**: Add internal vetting steps before data is accepted into your systems

## **Go Beyond Drops: Virtual Data Rooms for Secure Collaboration**

For multi-stakeholder projects, such as audits, procurement tenders, legal reviews, or mergers— **Wizuda Virtual Data Rooms** provide a secure collaborative workspace with:

- Visibility over all shared files and user activity
- Full version history and activity logs
- Share, restrict, or revoke access in real time
- Full audit trails to meet GDPR and internal policy requirements

Whether you’re engaging with auditors, law firms, consultants, or regulatory bodies, **you remain in control** of your data and its flow.

## **Secure Messaging Is No Longer a “Nice to Have”**

In a world of escalating phishing threats, **you can’t afford to trust your inbox**. Wizuda CFS allows you to create **secure communication channels by design**, not assumption.

Stop letting unknown users drop risky files into your organisation.

With **Wizuda**, you choose:

- Who sends you data
- What you receive
- How it’s verified, scanned, and tracked

Isn’t it time to take back control?

_To learn more about Wizuda Compliant File Share and how Drops and Virtual Data Rooms can protect your organisation, [Contact us today.](/content/contact/index.html)_