The Surprising Weak Link in Your Company's Cybersecurity

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Listen to this article~3 min

Is your team your biggest cybersecurity risk? We talk with Phished COO Manon Vandebergh about the latest phishing tactics, simple protection steps, and the human element of digital defense.

You know the feeling. That nagging thought in the back of your mind every time you click 'send' or open an email. Cybercrime is getting smarter by the day, and honestly? Phishing attacks have become incredibly hard to spot. It’s not just about firewalls and fancy software anymore. That’s why I sat down with Manon Vandebergh, COO of Phished, to cut through the noise. We talked about how businesses can actually protect themselves in this wild digital landscape. And you know what she said? The biggest link in your security chain—and the biggest risk—isn't a piece of tech. It's your people. ### The Human Firewall It sounds simple, but it's true. Your team is your first and last line of defense. Manon and I dug into the latest phishing techniques that are fooling even the most cautious professionals. We're talking about emails that look like they're from the CEO, texts from 'the IT department,' and messages that create a genuine sense of urgency. The good news? You don't need a massive budget or a team of hackers to start building better habits today. It's about awareness. It's about knowing what to look for. Here are a few simple steps any business owner can implement right now: - Train your team to pause and check the sender's *actual* email address, not just the display name. - Create a clear, no-penalty protocol for reporting anything that feels 'off.' - Run regular, simulated phishing tests to keep everyone on their toes. Make it a game, not a punishment. - Keep software updated. Yes, it’s basic, but those updates often patch critical security holes. ### Building an International Scale-Up from Belgium But our conversation went way beyond just security tips. We dove into the impressive growth story of Phished itself. How do you build an international scale-up from Belgium? Manon calls it their 'unfair competitive advantage.' It’s not just about the product. It's about culture. At Phished, they live by 'Parlez-Vrai'—speak truthfully. It’s a principle that shapes everything from internal meetings to client relationships. She also believes founders should stay deeply involved in sales. Why? Because no one knows the product's soul, its 'why,' better than they do. That passion is contagious and it builds trust that no sales script ever could. ### You Don't Need a Tech Background to Thrive in Tech Finally, we tackled a big topic: women in tech. Manon’s own path proves a powerful point. You don't need a computer science degree or a background in coding to build a successful career in the technology sector. What you need is curiosity, resilience, and the ability to solve problems. The tech world needs diverse thinkers—people who understand business, psychology, and human behavior. Because at the end of the day, technology is built for people. If you can understand people, you can help build better technology. This episode was packed with insights for any entrepreneur, leader, or professional who wants to grow with impact. It’s a reminder that security, leadership, and scaling a business are all deeply human endeavors. The tools are just there to help us do it better.