What is the primary intent of a business email compromise?

The primary intent of a business email compromise is to scam employees and suppliers by using stolen email credentials. This type of cybercrime involves attackers gaining unauthorized access to a business email account and then impersonating the account owner to deceive others within the organization or external stakeholders. The attackers often communicate with employees or suppliers to initiate unauthorized financial transactions, request sensitive information, or direct business actions that could lead to financial loss and data breaches.

Understanding this aspect is crucial because business email compromise can have significant implications for organizational security and financial integrity. It highlights the importance of employee training on recognizing phishing attempts and the safeguarding of email credentials. In contrast, securing corporate partnerships, retrieving lost passwords, and enhancing communication are not central to the malicious objectives of this type of cyber threat. These activities do not typically involve the deceptive manipulation characteristic of business email compromises, making them less relevant within this context.