Automated Spear Phishing Simulation for Enterprise Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large enterprise organizations face challenges in training users to recognize spear phishing attacks due to their personalized nature, which complicates network security and resource management, especially in balancing user training with computing resources like processing power and bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A computing platform uses machine learning to identify susceptible users, generate simulated spear phishing messages based on historical data, and provide targeted training by dynamically initiating and managing automated spear phishing simulations, optimizing resource usage by focusing on high-risk individuals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spear phishing training is provided to all enterprise users, then network security awareness is improved, but computing resources (processing power and bandwidth) are excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork security awarenessVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different training approaches to different user segments based on their risk profiles. High-risk users receive comprehensive spear phishing training, while low-risk users receive minimal or no training, optimizing resource allocation according to local needs rather than applying uniform training across all users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The enterprise user base is segmented into different risk categories using machine learning analysis of communication patterns, device usage, and security incident history. This segmentation enables targeted training delivery to specific segments, reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining effective security awareness where most needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If personalized spear phishing training is provided to each user, then training effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidtraining system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates personalized training content by having users complete assessments that reveal their specific knowledge gaps and risk factors. The system then self-configures appropriate training modules based on assessment results, eliminating the need for complex manual personalization while maintaining individualized effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The training system dynamically adjusts training parameters (content, duration, intensity) based on user responses to assessment questions and observed behavior patterns. This automated parameter adjustment achieves personalized training effectiveness without requiring complex system configuration for each user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If comprehensive user training is delivered to large enterprise organizations, then security awareness is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity awarenessVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of delivering complete training programs to all users, the system provides partial training only to those users who demonstrate specific risk factors or knowledge gaps through assessment. This partial action approach reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining security effectiveness by focusing resources on users who need training most

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3790250B1Dynamically initiating and managing automated spear phishing in enterprise computing environments
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 PROOFPOINT INC
  • EP3790250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3790250B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3790250B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to dynamic and automated spear phishing management. A computing platform may identify users to receive a simulated spear phishing message. In some instances, the computing platform may receive (515) a very attacked persons (VAP) list and may identify (520) the users to receive the simulated spear phishing message based on the VAP list. Based on historical message data associated with a first user, the computing platform may identify (525) message features associated with the first user. Using a predetermined template and for a first user account linked to the first user, the computing platform may generate (545, 550) a first spear phishing message based on the message features. The computing platform may then send (555), to the first user account, the first spear phishing message.