What Were the Major Email Security Highlights in September 2021?

September 2021 saw a flurry of email‑related security news, ranging from regulatory actions to new protection tools.

What regulatory action did the U.S. securities regulator take against eight financial firms?

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission fined eight financial services companies for weak cyber defenses that exposed corporate email accounts and personal data. Each firm paid a six‑figure penalty and agreed to cease future violations.

How was a vulnerability in Apple devices uncovered and resolved?

Researchers from the Citizen Lab identified an exploit believed to be used by clients of an Israeli surveillance firm to breach iPhones. Apple issued a rapid patch after being notified, highlighting the seriousness of the flaw.

How can small‑to‑medium businesses quickly assess their email security posture?

Palisade offers a one‑click domain scanner that audits the four core email‑security protocols—DMARC, SPF, DKIM and BIMI—and provides step‑by‑step remediation guidance.

What new email‑security features did Cloudflare introduce?

Cloudflare added built‑in support for SPF and DKIM records to its email‑security suite and enabled routing of corporate‑branded inboxes through any existing mail infrastructure.

Why was 2021 a record year for zero‑day exploits?

Security researchers documented 66 zero‑day vulnerabilities in 2021, nearly double the previous year’s total. The surge is linked to the growing availability of sophisticated hacking tools.

Which companies partnered to strengthen rail‑sector cybersecurity?

Airbus CyberSecurity and Alstom signed a global cooperation agreement to deliver advanced protection for industrial information systems used in rail transport.

How does South Africa’s cybersecurity performance compare globally?

A SurfShark digital‑quality index placed South Africa near the bottom of both electronic security and overall cybersecurity rankings, reflecting a rise in high‑profile breaches.

What trends emerged in vehicle cybersecurity?

Industry data showed a 94 % year‑over‑year increase in automotive cyber‑incidents, with at least 150 reported hacks between 2019 and 2021, driven by more connected car features.

What law‑enforcement action targeted organized cyber fraud?

Europol arrested 106 individuals linked to the Italian mafia for phishing, SIM‑swap and business‑email‑compromise scams that stole roughly $11.7 million.

Which public figures pursued legal action over phone‑hacking?

Pop stars including Melanie C and Shane Lynch filed claims against a major news group alleging unlawful voicemail interceptions.

What was the outcome of a major BEC scam case in the United States?

A U.S. Army reservist was sentenced to 46 months in prison and ordered to repay $1.8 million after orchestrating romance‑fraud and business‑email‑compromise attacks.

How did the ransomware group BlackMatter affect a medical‑device company?

BlackMatter’s ransomware disrupted Olympus’s IT systems in several EMEA locations, though the company assured customers of uninterrupted service.

Which sectors faced recent hacking campaigns?

Hackers targeted food‑production firms such as JBS USA and New Cooperative, exploiting the heavy reliance on technology in agriculture and food processing.

Quick Takeaways

• SEC enforcement highlights the financial cost of email‑security lapses.
• Rapid vendor response can mitigate high‑impact exploits, as seen with Apple.
• Palisade’s domain scanner offers a fast, free audit of DMARC, SPF, DKIM and BIMI.
• Cloudflare’s new features lower the barrier for organizations to implement SPF/DKIM.
• The record 66 zero‑day exploits underscore the need for proactive threat hunting.
• Rail‑sector collaboration shows cybersecurity is expanding beyond IT.
• SMBs remain prime targets—over half of U.S. hacking incidents hit small businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is DMARC and why does it matter? DMARC (Domain‑Based Message Authentication, Reporting & Compliance) tells receiving servers how to handle unauthenticated mail from your domain, reducing phishing and spoofing.
2. How does SPF protect my email? SPF (Sender Policy Framework) lets you publish which servers are authorized to send mail for your domain, helping recipients reject forged messages.
3. What role does DKIM play in email security? DKIM adds a digital signature to outgoing messages, enabling receivers to verify that the content hasn’t been altered.
4. Can BIMI improve brand visibility? BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays your verified logo next to authenticated emails, boosting brand trust.
5. How can Palisade help my organization? Palisade provides a free domain scanner, detailed reports, and step‑by‑step remediation for DMARC, SPF, DKIM and BIMI, plus ongoing monitoring.