Email Security 2025: Why It's a Leadership Responsibility

Email Security: The Underestimated Threat to SMEs

Every day, hundreds of emails leave your company. Invoices, contracts, master data, confidential business information. Everything by email. A single click on a manipulated link can be enough to paralyze your entire business.

The reality is sobering: email remains the primary attack vector for cybercriminals. Over 90 percent of all cyberattacks begin with an email. Phishing, ransomware, Business Email Compromise (BEC), the list goes on. Yet many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still treat email security as a secondary IT issue.

This is not a management weakness. This is a conscious decision. A decision that exposes your company to significant risk every single day.

The Classic Car on the Digital Highway

Imagine driving a classic car from the 1990s on the highway: no airbags, no ABS, no modern seatbelts. Would you merge into dense traffic at 80 mph? Probably not.

Yet that's exactly what many companies do with their email infrastructure. Outdated systems, minimal security mechanisms, no multi-factor authentication, no systematic monitoring. And then they call it an "established business process."

The digital threat landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Attackers have become more professional, their methods more sophisticated. At the same time, regulatory requirements have increased. The NIS2 Directive requires affected companies to implement comprehensive security measures, including email security.

Email Security Is a Leadership Responsibility

Let's be clear: Email security is not an IT project. It is a leadership responsibility.

As a CEO, board member, or CISO, you bear responsibility for the security of your company. That doesn't mean you need to configure firewalls yourself. But it does mean you need to understand what risks exist and how they are systematically managed.

The question is not whether your company will be attacked, but when. And whether you will be prepared.

The BSI Action Campaign: Email Security Year 2025

Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has declared 2025 the Email Security Year. The campaign provides valuable checklists, best practices, and recommendations for companies of all sizes.

This is an important step. But checklists alone don't solve problems. The critical questions often remain unanswered:

• Who will actually implement the measures? Is responsibility clearly assigned? Is there a project plan with milestones?
• Who manages the progress? Are measures just checked off, or is the actual security gain verified?
• How do we measure impact rather than just activities? Are metrics tracked? Are there regular security audits?

Without clear answers to these questions, even the best initiative will fizzle out.

Email Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

As important as email security is, it's only one aspect of a much larger problem. Typical vulnerabilities in SMEs include:

Outdated Servers and Systems

Many companies operate servers with operating systems that no longer receive security updates. Windows Server 2008? Not uncommon. Unpatched vulnerabilities? Business as usual.

Unprotected Access Points

Remote access without multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an open invitation to attackers. One compromised password is enough, and the attacker is inside the network.

Untrained Employees

Humans remain the weakest link in the security chain. Without regular training, employees don't recognize phishing emails, click on suspicious links, or disclose credentials.

Missing Documentation and Processes

Who is responsible in an emergency? How does the incident response process work? Where are security incidents documented? In many companies, there are no clear answers to these questions.

Cybersecurity as Holistic Risk Management

Cybersecurity is not a standalone project. It is holistic risk management.

This means you need a systematic approach that covers all areas of your company. From technical infrastructure to processes to corporate culture.

The Four Pillars of Holistic Cybersecurity

1. Technical Measures: Firewalls, encryption, endpoint protection, email security gateways, regular updates and patches.
2. Organizational Measures: Clear responsibilities, documented processes, incident response plans, emergency handbooks.
3. Training and Awareness: Regular security training, phishing simulations, security awareness campaigns.
4. Governance and Compliance: Risk assessments, audits, documentation for regulatory requirements like NIS2, GDPR, or ISO 27001.

NIS2: Compliance Pressure Is Increasing

The NIS2 Directive significantly tightens cybersecurity requirements. Affected companies must demonstrate that they have implemented appropriate security measures. Violations can result in substantial fines and personal liability for management.

The good news: those who approach cybersecurity systematically automatically meet most compliance requirements.

The Solution: Cybersecurity as a Platform

How do you bring order to this complex topic? How do you maintain oversight of risks, measures, and evidence?

The answer lies in integrated platforms that centrally consolidate all aspects of cybersecurity. Instead of working with Excel spreadsheets, scattered documents, and isolated tools, you need a central solution that helps you:

• Identify and assess risks: Which assets are particularly worth protecting? Where are the biggest vulnerabilities?
• Plan and implement measures: Who is responsible? What needs to be done by when?
• Monitor progress: Are we on track? Are objectives being met?
• Provide evidence for audits and compliance: All relevant documents and evidence available at the push of a button.

This is exactly where Cybervize comes in: a platform that consolidates your cybersecurity. From risk analysis to action planning to documentation for NIS2, ISO 27001, or other standards.

Action Recommendations for CEOs and CISOs

What can you do concretely to improve your company's email security and overall security?

Immediate Actions (0-4 weeks)

1. Inventory: What email security measures are currently implemented? SPF, DKIM, DMARC configured?
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA for all email accounts and critical systems.
3. Phishing Test: Conduct a phishing simulation to test security awareness.

Medium-Term Actions (1-3 months)

1. Email Security Gateway: Implement a professional email security solution with Advanced Threat Protection.
2. Security Awareness Training: Train all employees on phishing and secure email usage.
3. Document Processes: Create an incident response plan for security incidents.

Long-Term Actions (3-12 months)

1. Holistic Security Strategy: Develop a company-wide cybersecurity strategy.
2. Compliance Roadmap: Review your requirements under NIS2 and create an implementation roadmap.
3. Security Platform: Evaluate an integrated platform for cybersecurity management.

Conclusion: Take Responsibility

Email security is not a technical gimmick. It is a critical success factor for your business. The threats are real, the consequences potentially devastating.

The good news: You can do something about it. Today. Right now.

Start with small, concrete steps. Create transparency about your risks. Assign responsibilities. Measure progress. And use modern tools that help you maintain oversight.

Cybersecurity is not a project with an end date. It is a continuous leadership task. Those who understand and act accordingly not only protect their company but also secure their competitive advantage.

If you're ready to take responsibility and elevate your cybersecurity to the next level, now is the right time.

Rely on systematic risk management. Use platforms like Cybervize to consolidate your cybersecurity, keep risks under control, and provide evidence for NIS2 at the push of a button.

The digital highway doesn't wait. Upgrade your classic car or switch to a modern, secure vehicle. Your employees, your customers, and your business will thank you.