June 2024 – MFA Bypass Attacks Increasing, Asking Better Questions, ‘Family’ vs. ‘Team’

Happy June, everyone –

We’re nearly halfway through the year already! The Bombers are back in action, kids will be out of school soon, and summer activities will be in full swing.

I hope that this once-monthly Email is continuing to bring value to you in your role as a business leader. If at any time you would like to be removed from this mailing, just reply with a ‘not for me’.

Here are some articles and events that caught my eye recently. If you have anything you’d like to share – something that’s happening in your business, an event or announcement, let me know.

Thanks for continuing to make Winnipeg a vibrant, exciting place to work and to grow a business. Wishing you a successful month ahead. If you’d like to connect with me on LinkedIn, you can do so here.

Michael

Cybersecurity / Tech News

I’ve said before that when it comes to cybersecurity, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution. Unfortunately, multi-factor authentication (MFA) has been seen as just that. And while MFA should absolutely be required by default across all Email accounts and for remote access, we are seeing an increasing number of attacks that successfully bypass MFA. Cyber criminals can now purchase MFA bypass kits that allow them to do this easily and without any advanced technical skills. These bypass attacks rely on stealing a session token once a user has clicked a link in a phishing Email – underscoring the importance of cybersecurity awareness training for all staff as part of a layered approach to security.

MFA Bypass Kit Simplifies Phishing Attacks on Gmail and Microsoft 365 Accounts

Leadership / Personal Growth

Are the people at your company a ‘family’ or a ‘team’? There are important differences between the two. This article, in addition to the No Rules Rules book by Netflix founder Reed Hastings explains why these differences matter and how techniques like the ‘Keeper test’ will help ensure you are positioning your business for optimal performance.

Stop Calling Your Company a Family

Do you wish people on your team (see what I did there?) would open up more? The answer might be in asking better questions. In this article, Jeff Wetzler offers strategies for asking high-quality questions that invite genuine responses, including “request reactions,” clarifying confusion, and paraphrasing. The article emphasizes creating a safe environment for honest dialogue and practicing these skills to enhance personal and professional growth.

How to Ask Questions that Get People to Open Up

Upcoming Events

Navigating Your Privacy Obligations as a Business – Jun 13 (Webinar) 

Climate Action Sustainability Practices Luncheon – Jun 19

Doing Business in the USA for Manitoba Companies – June 20 (Webinar)

Leading with Design – Shifting Organizational Thinking – June 21