Real BEC Attacks Your Gateway Missed—And How XeneX Builds Trust by Stopping Them

Business email compromise is happening right now, to companies just like yours. While traditional email gateways scan attachments and links, attackers have moved on to identity-based attacks that slip right through. Here are three real scenarios that demonstrate the BEC gap—and how XeneX's managed SOCaaS not only closes it, but transforms security into a trust-building partnership.

The CFO Who Never Sent That Wire Transfer

A mid-sized manufacturing company received an urgent email from their CFO requesting a same-day wire transfer to finalize a supplier contract. The message looked legitimate: correct signature, familiar tone, continuing an existing email thread. The controller processed the $280,000 transfer immediately.

The problem? The CFO never sent it.

An attacker had compromised a vendor's email account weeks earlier, creating an inbox rule that automatically forwarded emails containing "payment" or "invoice" to an external address while hiding replies. When the timing was right, the attacker jumped into an active thread from inside the compromised account.

How XeneX Builds Trust Through Prevention:

XeneX's managed SOC team would detect the suspicious auto-forward rule within minutes of its creation. The system would immediately alert the customer with clear context: which mailbox, what rule, and why it's dangerous. The team would automatically remove the malicious rule, trigger a forced password reset, and document the entire incident with timestamps and evidence.

The finance team would receive a detailed report to share with leadership and their insurance carrier, showing exactly what was blocked and when. This transparency doesn't just prevent financial loss—it proves XeneX is actively watching their backs. Relationships deepen from vendor to trusted partner.

The OAuth App That Lived in the Shadows

A healthcare organization's HR manager clicked what appeared to be a Microsoft 365 login prompt about updating employee benefits. It was real—but it wasn't from Microsoft. It was a consent request for a malicious OAuth application.

One click later, the attacker had full read-and-send access to the HR manager's mailbox. No password stolen. No MFA bypassed. Just a legitimate OAuth token that let them read sensitive employee data and send emails as the HR manager.

How XeneX Builds Trust Through 24/7 Vigilance:

Where other solutions might let OAuth consents slip through unnoticed for months, XeneX's SOCaaS would catch it immediately. The managed security team would detect the risky permission scopes and within minutes would revoke the OAuth token, terminate all active sessions, and contact the HR manager with clear, jargon-free guidance.

The SOC team would reach out proactively to explain what happened, how they stopped it, and what to watch for in the future. They would provide a full incident timeline mapped to compliance frameworks needed for HIPAA audits. The CISO would receive a report showing the attack, response time, and remediation—evidence that their security investment is working.

This isn't just incident response—it's relationship building. Healthcare organizations can view XeneX as an extension of their team, earning trust through transparency and results.

The CEO Impersonation No One Questioned

A financial services’ accounting team received a text-only email from their CEO asking for client contracts and payment details—needed urgently for a board meeting. No attachments. No links. Just a simple request.

The email came from an address that looked almost identical to the CEO's: one letter off in the display name, using a lookalike domain. The gateway saw nothing suspicious because there was nothing to scan.

How XeneX Builds Trust Through User Empowerment:

XeneX's VIP protection would immediately flag the display-name abuse and domain lookalike. Instead of silently blocking it or overwhelming the team with technical jargon, XeneX's SOCaaS would deliver a clear, actionable alert: "This appears to be CEO impersonation—verify via phone using a known number before responding."

The finance manager could call the CEO directly and confirm whether it's legitimate. XeneX would document the attempt, add it to the monthly executive report, and use the incident to refine VIP profiles even further.

During board meetings, executives can present XeneX's monthly reports showing BEC attempts blocked, response times, and user verification outcomes. Boards see proof of security maturity, and cyber insurance premiums can actually decrease. XeneX transforms from a security expense into a business enabler that reduces risk and builds stakeholder confidence.

The Bottom Line: Security That Builds Trust

Email gateways protect against what comes into your network. XeneX protects what happens inside your mailboxes—where modern BEC actually lives. But more importantly, XeneX's managed SOCaaS builds lasting relationships through:

• Transparency: Full visibility into threats, responses, and outcomes—mapped to frameworks you need for audits and insurance

• Proactive partnership: Context, remediation, and education that empowers your team

• Measurable results: Evidence you can show leadership, boards, and insurers that security is working

• 24/7 accountability: A team watching your environment around the clock

Organizations don't just need security tools—they need partners they can trust. XeneX delivers both, turning BEC prevention into a foundation for long-term relationships built on transparency, results, and shared success. Schedule a demo or contact us.