• by Ray Schultz , June 28, 2017

Barracuda Networks Inc., a provider of cloud-based security solutions, has introduced Barracuda Sentinel, a tool to fight spear phishing and cyber fraud.

The AI service, delivered via the cloud, helps protect brands and consumers from spear phishing, impersonation attempts, business email compromises and cyber fraud, the company claims.

These are real threats, according to Barracuda — 27% of all organizations have been hit with business email compromise attack in the last year, the firm said, quoting Osterman Research. And companies have lost $5 billion to such attacks, Barracuda added, sourcing the FBI.

"We see novel combinations of highly personalized tactics — spoofing your domain, impersonating your CEO, engaging in convincing conversations with your employees,” said Asaf Cidon, vice president of content security services at Barracuda Networks, in a statement.

Barracuda Sentinel connects to communication platforms such as Microsoft Office 365. It is designed to extend protection beyond email to G Suite, Slack, social media and other platforms.