What is the primary purpose of email compromise attacks in organizations?

The primary purpose of email compromise attacks in organizations is primarily focused on the theft of money or information. These attacks typically exploit social engineering techniques to manipulate individuals into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data. Attackers often impersonate trusted contacts, leading victims to either inadvertently disclose important information or authorize transfers of funds.

Email compromise can also involve various tactics, such as spear-phishing, where a specifically targeted email prompts the receiver to take an action that can result in financial loss or data exposure. In this context, the objective aligns more closely with financial gain or acquiring valuable data rather than just gaining access to user accounts or causing unauthorized data leaks. While gaining access to user accounts may be a tactic utilized during these attacks, the overarching goal remains to achieve monetary or informational theft, making it the fundamental purpose of these types of incidents.