Challenges
- Time-consuming, manual processes to review, assess, and resolve reported emails
- Increasing internet-connected technology being utilized also increases potential vulnerability to threats
- Ensuring all city employees are educated on cybersecurity and regularly tested
Results
- The City of Memphis cut down the number of man-hours dedicated to dealing with potential email threats by 95% in one year.
- The City is able to regularly educate and test all employees on phishing emails with Phishing Simulation Testing and Security Awareness Training.
Solution
- The City of Memphis had a strong interest in implementing the IRONSCALES platform's SOC automation capability to significantly reduce their team's time for manual threat investigations and remediations.
- Additionally, they recognized the need for effective training to harden their end users against threats that may reach their inboxes.
Organization Intro
The City of Memphis, a vibrant city of more than 620,000 people and world-renowned for music culture, is leveraging technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance public services and address challenges faced by its diverse community. Led by Interim Chief Information Officer Augustine Boateng, Memphis prioritizes public welfare and aims to create positive outcomes for its residents. For instance, to bridge gaps in economic disparities and digital divides, the city provides free Wi-Fi access and works on expanding broadband availability, ensuring equitable access to digital services.
The Problem
The City of Memphis is navigating the intricate landscape of technology expansion and internet connectivity, encountering a series of challenges along the way. Among these hurdles is the cumbersome nature of manual processes for handling reported emails, which not only drain staff resources but also increase the risk of overlooking critical security incidents. This predicament underscores the pressing need for streamlined and automated mechanisms to swiftly identify and resolve potential threats, fortifying the city's defenses against cyber attacks.
As Memphis embraces an array of internet-connected technologies to enhance public services, the corresponding increase in its attack surface heightens concerns regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The integration of IoT devices and AI-driven solutions expands the potential entry points for malicious actors, accentuating the urgency for robust cybersecurity measures. Safeguarding sensitive data, critical systems, and citizen privacy becomes paramount, necessitating proactive strategies to mitigate risks and fortify the resilience of the city's infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.
Recognizing the pivotal role of human factors in cybersecurity, the City of Memphis prioritizes comprehensive education and regular testing for all its employees. Tailored training programs cater to the diverse roles and technological proficiency levels within the organization, empowering staff with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively identify and respond to cyber threats. Through regular testing, including simulated phishing attacks and resilience assessments, the city evaluates employee awareness and readiness, fostering a culture of vigilance and reinforcing cybersecurity best practices across the board.
![Augustine Boateng](https://ironscales.com/hs-fs/hubfs/augustine_boateng_headshot_.webp?width=100&height=100&name=augustine_boateng_headshot_.webp)
Solution
Whenever Augustin Boateng looks to bring in a new vendor for the City of Memphis, he embarks on an exhaustive due diligence journey lasting as long as 10 weeks. This meticulous process is crucial to verify that the vendor's practices align perfectly with the city's stringent internal cyber management standards before any integration occurs.
Additionally, the platform aggregates information from other customers to enhance threat resolution across the board, fostering a collaborative approach to cybersecurity.
Memphis also provides staff with training and conducts random tests. Boateng praises the effectiveness of IRONSCALES in reducing the time spent on handling potential threats, highlighting its community-driven approach to threat resolution.
Outcomes
The implementation of the IRONSCALES email security solution yielded several positive outcomes for the City of Memphis:
- Efficiency: The City of Memphis chose the email security solution IRONSCALES, which automated the detection and remediation of phishing threats. With IRONSCALES, Augustine Boateng was able to reduce the time spent on manual email review and follow-up by 95%, cutting down on the number of man-hours needed.
- Enhanced Security: The solution improved the city's resilience against phishing scams and email compromises, safeguarding sensitive data and infrastructure from cyber threats.
- Collaborative Defense: IRONSCALES leverages a community-driven approach to cybersecurity, aggregating information from other customers to enhance threat resolution and protect against evolving threats.
- Cost Savings: By streamlining email security processes and reducing manual efforts, the city achieved cost savings associated with cybersecurity management.
Overall, the IRONSCALES solution contributed to strengthening the city's cybersecurity posture and mitigating risks associated with email-based threats.
![Augustine Boateng](https://ironscales.com/hs-fs/hubfs/augustine_boateng_headshot_.webp?width=100&height=100&name=augustine_boateng_headshot_.webp)
About IRONSCALES
IRONSCALES is the leader in AI-powered email security protecting over 15,000 global organizations from advanced phishing threats. As the pioneer of adaptive AI, we detect and remediate attacks like business email compromise (BEC), account takeovers (ATO), and zero-days that other solutions miss. By combining the power of AI and continuous human insights, we safeguard inboxes, unburden IT teams, and turn employees into a vital part of cyber defense across enterprises and managed service providers. IRONSCALES is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more, visit www.ironscales.com or follow us on X @IRONSCALES.
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