An office manager receives an email from a vendor they've worked with for years. The logo is right. The email thread looks familiar. The message is polite, professional, and explains that their banking details have recently changed.
She processes the payment. Why wouldn't she?
Three days later, the real vendor calls asking why their invoice is still outstanding.
The money is already gone. And in most cases like this, it doesn't come back.
What Is Business Email Compromise?
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a targeted cyber incident where an attacker impersonates a trusted contact to manipulate someone into transferring funds or sharing sensitive information.
No malware. No suspicious links. No attachment, your filters will catch. It works entirely through trust.
It affects businesses across every industry: construction, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and healthcare included.
The Three Ways It Usually Happens
1. Vendor Payment Redirect
A spoofed vendor email sends updated payment instructions just before an invoice is due. The timing makes it feel routine.
2. Executive Impersonation
An urgent email appears to come from the owner or CEO requesting that a wire transfer be processed quickly and quietly.
3. Payroll Account Update
An HR team member receives what looks like an employee request to change direct deposit details before payroll runs.
Each one works because a person made a reasonable decision based on information that looked legitimate.
Cybersecurity Tip: How to Reduce Your BEC Risk
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Verify before you act — Call the vendor or employee directly using a number already on file. Not one was provided in the email. This one step stops most BEC attempts.
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Authenticate your email domain — DMARC, DKIM, and SPF make it significantly harder for attackers to spoof your domain or impersonate your vendors.
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Require dual approval on payments — No single person should be able to initiate and approve a large transfer on their own.
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Flag external emails — A visible banner on outside messages gives your team a moment to pause before they react.
Business Email Compromise doesn't begin with someone breaking through your defenses.
It begins with an email that looked like something your team had every reason to trust.
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Aurora InfoTech Is Here to Support You
At Aurora InfoTech, we work with business owners across Orlando and beyond who are tired of finding out about risks after they've already caused damage. Our proactive Cybersecurity Services are built to identify exposure before it becomes a loss, not after.
We help organizations implement the email security controls, employee awareness training, and financial process reviews that reduce BEC risk at every level. Because protecting your business isn't just about monitoring your network. It's about making sure every layer of your operations, including your inbox, is part of your security posture.
