Insights

When a “Hello” is More Than Just a Greeting

Imagine this: you receive an email from your HR department asking you to review your performance evaluation. It includes your name, the correct internal HR signature, and even references your most recent project. The link seems legitimate, but one click later, your credentials are stolen, and your organisation’s data is compromised. Welcome to the world of spear-phishing – a dangerous, highly personalised version of the classic email scam.  Unlike broad phishing scams that cast a wide net, spear-phishing attacks are targeted and convincing, often mimicking trusted sources to manipulate the victim into taking action. In 2024 alone, spear-phishing was responsible for over 65% of all corporate data breaches globally (Verizon DBIR). Let’s explore how these attacks work, why they’re so dangerous, and most importantly, how you can defend yourself and your organisation.

What is personalised spear-phishing?

Spear-phishing is a targeted email or message attack tailored specifically to an individual or organisation. Unlike mass phishing, it uses personal information to trick recipients into divulging sensitive data, transferring money, or downloading malware.

“Phishing is no longer a game of chance. It’s now a game of knowledge and precision.” — Lisa O’Donnell, Cyber Threat Analyst

How do attackers personalise spear-phishing?

Attackers today act like cyber-sleuths, collecting breadcrumbs of information from: - Social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, X) - Company websites and employee bios - Data breaches and dark web forums - Public records and online mentions Armed with this intel, they craft messages that look, sound, and feel authentic.

Common Tactics Include:

- Impersonation: Using fake domains or lookalike email addresses (e.g., ceo@your-compnay.com) - Urgency or fear: Phrases like “Urgent: Invoice Overdue” or “Immediate action required” - Attachment traps: Files disguised as invoices, resumes, or reports containing malware - Fake login portals: Directing you to cloned login pages that steal credentials

8 Practical Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Company

For Individuals: ·       Think before you click: Hover over links to preview the URL. ·       Check the sender: Look out for subtle misspellings or suspicious domains or addresses. ·       Verify requests: When in doubt, call or message the sender to confirm the request. ·       Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if your password is compromised, MFA can block access. It adds a layer of protection. ·       Keep software updated: Security patches are your first line of defence. For Organisations: ·       Run phishing simulations: Regular training keeps employees alert. ·       Invest in email security tools: Solutions like Microsoft Defender or Proofpoint, Fortinet can help filter out threats. ·       Apply least privilege access: Only give employees the access they need. ·       Promote a ‘see something, say something’ culture: Encourage people to report suspicious emails without fear or blame. ·       Segment your network: If one area is breached, it limits the overall damage.

Real-World Case: The C-Level scam that cost millions

In 2020, a multinational firm lost $17 million after a spear-phishing email impersonating the CEO directed the finance team to transfer funds to a “new vendor.” The email included the CEO’s signature, tone, and project references, all sourced from LinkedIn and past press releases. What went wrong? - No two-factor verification for fund transfers - Lack of phishing awareness training - Over-trust in email communication What could have helped? - A standard protocol for verifying large transactions - Internal communication through secure platforms - Stronger cybersecurity policies and checks

The Growing Threat: Why It Matters

- 91% of cyberattacks begin with a phishing email (Cofense 2023) - 1 in 3 employees are likely to click on a malicious link if not trained - Business email compromise (BEC), a form of spear-phishing, has caused over $50 billion in losses globally (FBI IC3 Report). These numbers highlight one thing: cybersecurity is a team sport, and everyone plays a role.

Anatomy of a Spear-Phishing Email

Red flags to look out for

Stay Alert, Stay Secure

The rise of personalised spear-phishing is a wake-up call: cybercriminals are getting smarter, but so can we. By understanding their tactics and adopting strong cyber hygiene, we can defend our personal and professional data from being exploited. Remember: If something feels “off,” it probably is. Pause, verify, and report.

Have you ever been phished?

We’d love to hear from you – have you ever received a suspicious message that felt oddly personal? What tipped you off? How did you respond? Drop your stories or questions in the comments. Your experience could help someone else avoid a scam.

...Cutting IT Costs is Just the Beginning

Cloud computing has moved from a “maybe” to a “must” for most organisations. As the conversation around cloud adoption continues to grow, many leaders focus on the promise of reduced IT costs, chasing lower infrastructure expenses.

But here's a crucial insight: cost savings alone are just the surface. If that’s your sole focus, you're missing out on significant opportunities for growth and innovation.

To truly unlock the full potential of cloud computing, organisations need to broaden their understanding, balancing cost control with value creation.

The problem: Confusing savings with strategy

Cloud adoption is often marketed with a simple message: “Move to the cloud, save money.” It’s a tempting proposition: eliminate expensive on-prem servers, avoid costly hardware upgrades, and no more underutilised hardware.

While cost-cutting benefits are real, focusing only on these savings can create a narrow, shortsighted view. According to Gartner, 60% of infrastructure and operations leaders report that their cloud costs exceed initial budgets. Why? Because too many businesses approach cloud migration with a “lift and shift” mentality, without rethinking the strategic impact it could have.

This approach leads to several issues:

-  Over-provisioned resources, resulting in escalating costs - Poorly optimised workloads - Mismatched alignment with broader business goals

Cloud adoption should never be reduced to just a cost-reduction exercise; it’s a powerful strategic enabler.

What you miss by focusing only on cost cuts

When organisations treat the cloud as just another expense to minimise, they miss out on transformational benefits such as agility, scalability, innovation, and faster time to market.

Take companies like Netflix and Airbnb, which didn’t adopt the cloud to save money, they used it to innovate quickly, scale seamlessly, and respond to market demands in real-time.

By focusing solely on cost reduction, businesses risk:

- Delaying critical digital transformation efforts - Missing opportunities to enter new markets quickly - Limiting their ability to adapt to customer needs immediately - Falling behind more agile, cloud-first competitors

This mentality also leads to internal resistance. IT teams become overly cautious about cloud consumption, while business units lose confidence in IT’s ability to support growth. The result? Innovation stagnates.

A McKinsey report highlights that businesses adopting cloud strategically can see up to a 20-30% increase in revenue, on top of operational savings. So, while you're saving money, you're also leaving significant growth opportunities untapped.

The solution: From cost-cutting to value creation

To truly leverage the full potential of cloud computing, businesses need to adopt a two-pronged approach: optimise costs, but also design for impact. Here’s how:

1. Build a business case beyond costs

Don’t stop at savings. Expand the business case to include metrics like time-to-market, customer experience improvements, and the potential for innovation. A holistic approach will align cloud adoption with your broader strategic goals.

2. Right-size and rethink your approach

Use tools like AWS Cost Explorer or Azure Cost Management to assess cloud usage. But don’t stop at rehosting legacy systems. Reimagine them. Cloud-native apps provide performance, flexibility, and scalability that traditional systems simply can't match.

3. Implement a FinOps culture

Integrate FinOps (Financial Operations) to ensure accountability and optimisation across IT and finance teams. This practice ensures that cloud spending aligns with business outcomes while continuously refining cost efficiency.

4. Foster a culture of innovation

The cloud offers an unparalleled environment for experimentation. With technologies like serverless computing, containers, and AI services, organisations can turn the cloud into a sandbox for innovation, not just a place to store data.

5. Choose the right cloud model

Decide between public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud based on your business's specific workload, compliance, and agility needs—not just cost considerations.

Value: The True Metric of Cloud Success

Cloud computing is not simply a cheaper way to run your infrastructure. It’s a better way to operate your entire business. The most innovative organisations are not just cutting costs. They are reinventing their operations. They’re driving innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and launching new services faster than ever before.

The question is: Are you merely migrating, or are you transforming?

Ready to Rethink Your Cloud Strategy?

Let’s explore how you can unlock both savings and scalability. Contact us to discover how cloud adoption can power your next phase of growth.

www.heirstechnologies.com | support@heirstechnologies.com

 

As businesses expand their digital footprints, traditional network infrastructures face unprecedented challenges. From evolving cybersecurity threats to increasing demands for scalability, companies are rethinking how they build and manage their networks. This was the core focus of  The Digital Shift Webinar Series 1.0, where industry leaders shared insights on how business can future-proof their network infrastructure. The discussion highlighted the challenges of traditional networks, the emerging trends shaping enterprise networking, and the actionable steps businesses can take to stay ahead. If you missed the session, here's a breakdown of the top insights from our expert panel!

Challenges in traditional network infrastructure

Today's businesses require networks that do more than just connect devices. They need systems that enhance performance, ensure security, and scale with growth. However, traditional network infrastructure presents several roadblocks: 1. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities: Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, rendering traditional security models insufficient. Businesses need proactive, AI-driven security solutions that identify and mitigate threats in real-time. 2. Scalability issues: As companies expand, their legacy network infrastructures often struggle to keep up, leading to performance bottlenecks and higher maintenance costs. 3. Performance and reliability concerns: With businesses relying on real-time applications and cloud-based solutions, network lag or downtime can significantly disrupt operations and customer experience. These challenges demand a new approach to networking, one that prioritises agility, security and scalability

Emerging solutions: The future of enterprise networking

To overcome these challenges, our expert panel discussed four key technology trends reshaping the future of networking 1. Next-Generation Cybersecurity: Zero Trust & AI-Driven Protection: Cybersecurity is no longer just about firewalls and antivirus software. A zero-trust security model ensures that every access request is verified before permissions are granted. Businesses should adopt: - AI-powered threat detection to identify and respond to cyberattacks in real-time. - Automated security updates to patch vulnerabilities instantly. - Multi-layered encryption to protect sensitive data across the network. 2. Scalable Network Architectures (Cloud & SDN):  To stay competitive, businesses need networks that can adapt to their growth. Our speakers highlighted the importance of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and cloud-based architectures for scalability: - SDN enables dynamic traffic management, optimising network performance based on demand. - Hybrid cloud solutions allow businesses to scale operations seamlessly without infrastructure limitations. 3. AI and Automation in Network Management: AI is transforming how businesses monitor, manage, and optimise their networks. Instead of reacting to failures, businesses can now predict and prevent issues before they occur. Key benefits include: - Predictive analytics that detects potential failures before they disrupt operations. - Automated configurations and updates, reducing downtime and IT workload. - Intelligent traffic routing, improving efficiency and performance. 4. Edge Computing: Faster, Smarter, and More Secure Networks: With the rise of IoT devices and real-time data processing, edge computing is becoming a game-changer. Instead of sending all data to a central cloud, businesses can process information closer to the source, reducing latency and improving efficiency. - Reduced network congestion with real-time local data processing. - Enhanced security by minimising data exposure to external threats. - Faster decision-making, crucial for industries relying on automation and analytics.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

Our expert panel left attendees with these critical insights for future-proofing their network infrastructure: - Adopt proactive cybersecurity measures: AI-driven threat detection and Zero Trust models are non-negotiable. - Invest in scalable solutions: Businesses should move away from rigid, outdated infrastructures and embrace cloud and SDN technologies. - Leverage AI and automation: Smarter network management reduces downtime, lowers costs, and boosts performance. - Implement edge computing: For industries that rely on real-time data, edge computing will be a major differentiator.

The Cost Factor: Making Future-Ready Networks Affordable

One common concern businesses have is cost. However, as our panel emphasised, modern network solutions do not have to break the bank.

“The misconception is that future-proofing networks is expensive. The truth is, with the right strategy and managed services, you can significantly cut costs while improving performance.” – Osahon Elaiho, Heirs Technologies.

This is where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) like Heirs Technologies come in. Instead of handling everything in-house, businesses can outsource network management to experts, ensuring: - Cost-effective solutions tailored to specific business needs. - 24/7 monitoring and proactive support, minimising downtime. - Access to cutting-edge technology without the burden of internal IT maintenance. The digital landscape is evolving, and businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind. To stay competitive, companies must invest in secure, scalable, and high-performing network solutions. At Heirs Technologies, we help businesses navigate this transformation with tailored networking solutions, expert-managed services, and cutting-edge technology. Ready to optimise your network for the future? Contact us today and let’s build a smarter, more resilient IT infrastructure for your business.

Lagos, 28 March, 2025 – Heirs Technologies (Heirs Tech) has officially welcomed the first batch of trainees for the second cohort of its flagship Supplementary Technical Engineering Programme (STEP), marking another milestone in its mission to equip young African talents with in-demand technology skills. The 2025 STEP programme, delivered through Heirs Technologies’ training centre, i-Academy, in collaboration with its authorised delivery partner, CompTIA, will train 200 candidates across six specialised tracks. However, the programme is structured into quarterly training sessions, beginning with two key tracks: CompTIA Cloud+ and CompTIA Security+. This first training cycle features 100 candidates, carefully selected from a competitive pool of 3,068 applicants spanning 22 states across Nigeria. The CompTIA Cloud+ track has 50 candidates, comprising 20 females (40%) and 30 males (60%), while the CompTIA Security+ track also has 50 candidates, with 22 females (44%) and 28 males (56%). Building on the success of the inaugural STEP cohort, which trained 50 candidates from 14 states, this year's intake has expanded to 22 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, demonstrating growing national participation and Heirs Technologies' commitment to widening access to high-quality tech education. The STEP programme provides:

• - Expert-led training sessions facilitated by certified professionals
• - Industry-recognised certifications to boost employability
• - One year of free lab access post-completion for hands-on practice
• - Discounted certification exam vouchers to support career advancement

Speaking on the programme expansion, Ivy Ikpeme-Mbakwem, Vice President of i-Academy, highlighted its transformative impact: “Through i-Academy, Heirs Technologies is empowering young talent with world-class technical expertise to drive Africa’s digital transformation. The success of our first cohort demonstrated the impact of accessible and high-quality training. We are thrilled to extend this opportunity to even more candidates this year. With our continued partnership with CompTIA, we remain dedicated to equipping the next wave of IT professionals with the skills to excel in today’s competitive job market.” STEP reflects Heirs Technologies’ ongoing commitment to capacity-building, job creation, and the advancement of Africa’s digital economy.

Heirs Technologies, Africa's premier technology company, committed to providing innovative solutions tailored for the African market, officially launched its free Supplementary Technical Engineering Program (STEP) on Friday, 18 October 2024.