Cloud email security provider Ironscales has introduced an innovative solution to combat the growing problem of business email compromise (BEC). The company has launched Themis Co-pilot for Microsoft Outlook, a self-service threat reporting chatbot. Powered by PhishLLM, Ironscales’ own large language model (LLM), the chatbot aims to help users identify and report phishing attempts more effectively.
BEC is a type of cyberattack in which fraudsters deceive individuals or organizations and trick them into disclosing sensitive information, corporate assets, or even money. Over the past decade, BEC has proven to be a costly problem, with global losses amounting to a staggering $50 billion, as reported by the FBI. Furthermore, Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) revealed that 74% of breaches in the past year involved human judgment.
To address these challenges, Microsoft Outlook initially introduced a Report Phish button that allows users to notify system administrators about suspicious emails. However, this solution relies on users being able to identify phishing emails accurately. Ironscales saw an opportunity to transform the human element into an advantage and developed Themis Co-pilot to assist users in recognizing and reporting potential phishing attempts.
Themis Co-pilot leverages Ironscales’ advanced AI security data set, Themis AI, which has been developed from millions of security events. Similar to popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Themis AI utilizes reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) to continuously improve its capabilities. Unlike ChatGPT, both Themis AI and PhishLLM are proprietary technologies exclusive to Ironscales. This proprietary nature eliminates many of the privacy and confidentiality concerns associated with AI tools when employees provide new data.
The concept behind RLHF is to enhance the accuracy of Themis Co-pilot by incorporating new examples of phishing attempts and human decisions into PhishLLM through Themis AI. This virtuous cycle not only reduces false positives for the security team but also helps train users to identify indicators of phishing attacks more effectively.
Ironscales’ Themis Co-pilot is currently in closed beta and available for users to test. By offering this self-service threat reporting chatbot, Ironscales aims to empower users to play an active role in cybersecurity and contribute to the collective defense against phishing attacks. The company’s innovative approach not only enhances the protection of organizations but also promotes cybersecurity awareness and knowledge among individual users.
The introduction of Themis Co-pilot represents an important step in the fight against BEC and other types of phishing attacks. Ironscales’ unique utilization of RLHF and their proprietary LLM technology distinguishes them from other cybersecurity solutions. As the threat landscape evolves, it is crucial for organizations to adopt innovative tools and methodologies to keep pace with cybercriminals.
Ironscales’ commitment to privacy and confidentiality is evident through their exclusive ownership of Themis AI and PhishLLM. By maintaining control over these technologies, Ironscales ensures that sensitive data remains secure and protected.
As the beta testing phase progresses, Ironscales anticipates that Themis Co-pilot will provide organizations with a valuable defense mechanism against phishing attempts. Coupled with user training and awareness programs, this self-service chatbot has the potential to significantly reduce the success rate of BEC attacks and mitigate the financial and reputational damage caused by such incidents.
In conclusion, Ironscales’ introduction of Themis Co-pilot for Microsoft Outlook represents a significant development in the field of email security. By leveraging their proprietary AI technology, Ironscales aims to empower users to identify and report phishing attacks accurately. Through continuous learning and feedback, Themis Co-pilot will become more effective in identifying potential threats, contributing to a safer email environment for organizations and individuals alike.