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Email remains the most common entry point for cyberattacks worldwide, and Iraq is no exception. From phishing and ransomware to business email compromise (BEC) and account takeover, attackers rely heavily on email to trick employees and bypass technical controls.
In many Iraqi organizations, email is deeply integrated into daily operations. It is used for financial approvals, contract negotiations, document sharing, supplier communication, and internal coordination. A single malicious email can expose sensitive data, disrupt operations, or cause serious financial loss.
In this article, Osous Al Taqnia explains why email security is one of the most important cybersecurity priorities for Iraqi businesses and how organizations can protect themselves effectively.
Several factors make email a preferred attack method for cybercriminals targeting Iraqi organizations:
Finance teams approve payments by email. HR teams share employee documents. Management exchanges contracts and legal files through email.
Attackers increasingly use Arabic and Kurdish language phishing emails that appear legitimate and relevant to Iraqi recipients.
Many employees are not trained to recognize modern phishing techniques, especially well-crafted impersonation emails.
Microsoft 365 and cloud email platforms are widely used but often misconfigured or under-secured.
Organizations that do not enforce MFA on email accounts are especially vulnerable. These conditions make email security a top priority.
A trading company based in Baghdad experienced an attempted financial fraud incident.
Before the transaction was completed, our SOC team flagged the email as suspicious.
We took immediate action:
This case highlights how email attacks can bypass traditional controls if not properly secured.
Phishing emails attempt to steal credentials or trick users into clicking malicious links.
BEC attacks involve impersonating executives, suppliers, or partners.
These attacks are highly targeted and often bypass basic spam filters.
Malicious attachments or links deliver:
Once opened, malware can spread quickly across the network.
If attackers gain access to an email account, they can:
Email account compromise often leads to larger breaches.
Modern email security platforms analyze:
This blocks malicious emails before they reach inboxes.
Advanced tools detect:
This is especially important for finance and management teams.
Suspicious attachments are executed in a secure environment to detect malware behavior before delivery.
Malicious links may appear safe at first, but become dangerous later.
Time-of-click protection scans links when users click them, not just when emails arrive.
Email accounts must be protected with MFA to prevent account takeover.
This is critical for:
Attackers often create hidden forwarding rules to exfiltrate data.
Security policies should:
Technology alone is not enough. Training should cover:
Well-trained employees dramatically reduce email-related incidents.
Certain industries face higher compliance pressure:
Strong email security supports compliance by:
Osous Al Taqnia delivers end-to-end email security solutions tailored for Iraq’s threat landscape.
We evaluate your current email environment, policies, and risks.
We deploy and configure enterprise-grade email protection platforms.
We secure Exchange Online with advanced policies, MFA, and monitoring.
Our SOC monitors email-related alerts 24/7 and responds immediately.
We conduct phishing simulations and targeted training for Iraqi teams.
Email is the most exploited attack surface in Iraq today. A single malicious email can lead to data loss, financial damage, and reputational harm.
Osous Al Taqnia helps Iraqi businesses protect their email systems with advanced security and expert oversight. Book a consultation with our cybersecurity specialists
Strong cybersecurity starts with secure email.
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Villa S 11/5, Atconz, Erbil
62nd St, Baghdad
