Phishing, privileges and passwords: Why identity is critical to improving cybersecurity posture

The report frames identity as the new network perimeter and explains how credential theft via infostealers, phishing/smishing/vishing, and brute-force drives damaging breaches and ransomware, citing recent retailer cases, Colonial Pipeline, and KNP as examples; it warns that overprivileged access, identity sprawl, and third-party access amplify impact, and recommends a Zero Trust program with least privilege, strong unique passwords in managers, MFA (preferably apps/passkeys), identity lifecycle management, PAM with rotation and just-in-time access, targeted security training with simulations, and MDR for continuous monitoring and rapid response.