In Russia, one in five attacks that imitate company executives succeeds, reports Maxim Akimov, a cyber intelligence leader at SOC CyberART within Innostage. This alarming statistic underscores how convincing impersonation can be, but it is part of a broader global pattern where fraudsters mimic senior managers to exploit human psychology and breach corporate systems.
Innostage observed that during the first half of 2024, such impersonation campaigns rose by about 30% compared with the same period in the previous year. Across networks in Canada, the United States, and other regions, attackers now frequently reach targets through popular channels like instant messaging apps and email. They pose as trusted figures such as managers or owners, then use credible pretexts to coax employees into divulging confidential information or opening malicious files or links. The goal is to establish a foothold inside a company’s IT environment and harvest data or credentials that enable deeper access.
Experts explain that the typical outcome is a loss of control over accounts and devices. Once a device is infected, it can serve as a launch point for further intrusions. Hackers routinely use this initial access to explore internal networks, move laterally, and reach sensitive systems. In many cases, the result is a compromised perimeter that opens doors to more damaging activities, including data theft and disruption of operations.
Analysts at Innostage calculated that employee-focused scams have about a 20% success rate. In other words, roughly one in five FakeBoss-style efforts manages to persuade at least one employee to click a malicious link or disclose requested information. This figure reflects the human element in cyber risk and highlights why organizations must treat user training as a strategic defense, not a one-off safety drill.
To bolster defenses against FakeBoss tactics, experts stress several practical steps. Employees should receive ongoing training on cybersecurity basics and common social engineering cues. Organizations should implement multi‑factor authentication to reduce the impact of compromised credentials. Continuous monitoring of internal network activity is essential to spot unusual or unauthorized behavior early. Regular simulations and phishing exercises can improve instinctive caution and shorten response times when suspicious messages arrive.
While there is historical context showing hackers have used impersonation to break into Russian companies, the wider trend shows scammers adapting to global digital workstyles. The important takeaway for North American firms is clear: people remain a critical line of defense. Strengthening awareness, enforcing robust authentication, and maintaining vigilant network monitoring can significantly reduce the chances of a successful impersonation attempt. By pairing human training with technical controls, organizations can better shield themselves from these deceptive breaches before they unfold into costly incidents.