Cyberattacks Are Surging: Why Email Security Must Be A Business Priority

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By Cian Fitzpatrick | 30th October 2026

The latest figures for 2026 show that cyberattacks across the globe are increasing at an alarming rate. Email security continues to be threatened by sophisticated phishing strategies and tactics.

A recent study has shown that global cyberattacks have increased by 48% year on year. Organisations now experience an average of 2,803 attacks per week.

These findings leave no doubt that cybercrime is growing at an alarming rate. However, the study also highlights how email remains a critical point of vulnerability. No business can afford to overlook this fact.

Phishing is becoming a bigger business threat

Phishing is by no means a new problem.

In the latter part of 2026 though it is proving to be highly persistent and growing in sophistication. Email security specialists identify phishing as one of the most threatening challenges organisations face today.

In September 2026, one in every 91 emails was classified as phishing. In August, this figure was one in 112 emails.

These phishing emails are primarily being delivered in two ways.

The vast majority (81%) of phishing emails include malicious links. The purpose of the links is to direct recipients to a harmful website destination. A further 11% of phishing emails contain attachments. These are used to distribute malware or malicious content.

Just one phishing email that is clicked on can be enough to compromise an employee’s credentials, unlock access to confidential business information and/or create a pathway for a much bigger cyberattack.

The human element when it comes to cyberattacks

The study also reveals a 53% year-on-year increase in ransomware attacks.

There are multiple routes through which ransomware can enter an organisation. However, phishing emails remain one of the most popular.

Once inside an organisation’s email, a cybercriminal could encrypt critical data, steal sensitive information and/or disrupt business operations.

The technical incident this kind of breach sets off is serious enough, but the impact can extend far beyond this.

Operational downtime, financial costs, regulatory considerations and a real knock to customer confidence could all be part and parcel of recovering from a ransomware attack.

AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape

When it comes to email security, AI is proving to be a two-sided sword.

The technology is undoubtedly creating new opportunities for businesses. On the other hand, it’s also introducing additional security challenges.

This is evidenced by the study finding that one in 39 enterprise generative AI prompt carries a high risk of sensitive data exposure.

AI tools can help cybercriminals create more convincing phishing content. This is one of the reasons why businesses need to understand how newer technologies can exist with their existing cybersecurity practices.

A proactive approach to email security is essential

With increases in attacks across the cybersecurity spectrum, a proactive approach to keeping inboxes safe is necessary. Cybercriminals are opportunists and will not skip over your organisation simply because you think you’re too big or too small.

Layering different security controls that are managed continuously and share intelligence is one of the strongest ways to build a robust security posture.

Consider including the following:

Add prevention at the gateway – Once a malicious message is inside an inbox, a human has to make a decision whether to click or not. Blocking suspicious emails before delivery removes the cognitive load on the person and therefore the risk of clicking. Advanced phishing and malware protection combines reputational analysis, URL inspection, attachment sandboxing and behavioural detection.
Authentication as a baseline – SPF, DKIM and DMARC help servers verify that email claiming to be from your domain really does originate there. A DMARC policy with a “reject” enforcement is one of the strongest ways to stop attackers impersonating your brand.
Detection that continues to learn – Cybercriminals adapt quickly. Therefore, email security should evolve too.
People are your second line of defence – It’s critical to train staff continuously on how to recognise and report suspicious messages. However, ensure you’re using technical controls to their full use too.
Continuous visibility and response – Email security isn’t a “do it once and it’s done” kind of job. It’s an ongoing requirement in any business. Ensure you set up mechanisms that enable you to see what is arriving in the inboxes of your organisation, what is being blocked and what is slipping through. Plus the ability to act quickly when something does. Reporting, policy tuning and rapid response are as important as the initial deployment.

How Topsec helps businesses stay protected

We partner with our clients to ensure email remains a helpful business tool rather than an open door for cybercriminals.

Our cloud-based email security solutions help our clients strengthen their defenses against phishing, malware and other ransomware-related threats. We also add the human expertise of our engineers to our service. Then, we combine this all with a 15 minute SLA to reassure our clients that their email security is being protected.

As long as email remains central to how business gets done it will remain a central target for cybercriminals. However, this doesn’t mean businesses can do nothing in the face of the threat. There’s a lot that businesses can do to address the power imbalance and take back control from bad actors. As a managed email service provider, we help our clients do this every day. Please see here for case studies.