From click to catastrophe: How cyberattacks begin

Cyberattacks do not begin with code. They begin with people. One click on a malicious email, one weak password, one moment of inattention is all it takes to set off a chain of events that can cripple an entire organisation. Contrary to popular belief, most cyber breaches are not the result of sophisticated hacking but rather simple human error, errors that are fully preventable with awareness and discipline.

This briefing outlines the typical lifecycle of a cyberattack, beginning from a single click and ending in potential disaster. It is designed to raise awareness across all staff levels and support the development of a cyber-resilient organisational culture.

Step 1: The deception (social engineering)

Every major cyberattack starts with a form of deception. The attacker does not knock down firewalls immediately, they knock on your inbox, disguised as someone you trust.

A common tactic is phishing: sending an email that appears to come from a colleague, vendor, or manager. These emails often contain a sense of urgency (“Payment overdue,” “Action required,” or “Security update needed”) to trigger impulsive action.

Key vulnerabilities:

• Opening attachments without verifying the source
• Clicking on links without hovering to check their destination
• Relying on sender name instead of inspecting the full email address

Step 2: The click (execution of malicious code)

Once the employee clicks on the attachment or link, malicious software is silently downloaded. This could be a keylogger, remote access trojan (RAT), ransomware, or a backdoor script.

The malware executes in the background, often without triggering any antivirus alert, especially if the organisation’s systems are outdated or improperly configured.

Common outcomes of this stage

• Immediate compromise of the employee’s computer
• Credential harvesting (usernames and passwords recorded and sent to the attacker)
• Silent lateral movement across the network

Step 3: The breach (access and escalation)

With a foothold in the system, the attacker begins exploring. The goal is to access sensitive systems or high-level accounts (finance, HR, procurement, etc.).

In many Ugandan organisations, internal access controls are weak. All users have broad access rights, and few systems log or monitor user activity effectively.

Attackers often exploit shared passwords, poorly segmented networks, and lack of multi-factor authentication to gain elevated privileges.

Targets of interest:

• Bank account credentials and payment systems
• Customer databases and personally identifiable information (PII)
• Internal emails and project documents

Step 4: The exploitation (theft or disruption)

At this point, the attacker chooses their method of exploitation. This may include:

• Data exfiltration: Sensitive files are quietly transferred to external servers.
• Ransomware: Files and systems are encrypted, and a ransom note is delivered demanding payment, often in cryptocurrency.
• Business email compromise (BEC): Fraudulent payment instructions are sent using compromised internal email accounts.
• System sabotage: Critical files are deleted or systems rendered inoperable, often during peak business hours.

By the time the breach is discovered, the damage is already done. In many cases, attackers have been inside the network for weeks or even months before being detected.

Step 5: The aftermath (response, loss, and recovery)

The consequences of a cyberattack can be severe and far-reaching:

• Financial loss: Funds may be fraudulently transferred, or costly ransom payments demanded.
• Reputational damage: Clients lose trust when they hear their data has been compromised.
• Operational downtime: Critical systems become unavailable, halting service delivery.
• Regulatory consequences: Non-compliance with data protection laws may result in penalties or litigation.

Many organisations discover that they have no adequate incident response plan. Backups are missing or corrupted, logs are incomplete, and staff are unprepared to respond.

Key lessons for prevention

1. Cybersecurity training is essential for all staff. Every employee should know how to recognise suspicious emails, verify requests, and report incidents.
2. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA). Passwords alone are not sufficient. MFA blocks over 90% of credential-based attacks.
3. Keep systems updated. Regular updates patch known vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.
4. Limit user access. Apply the principle of least privilege: users should have access only to what they need.
5. Implement a clear incident response plan. Ensure your organisation can act quickly when a breach is detected. This includes regular backups, designated response teams, and simulated drills.
6. Monitor your network continuously. Real-time monitoring helps detect unusual activity early, before damage escalates.

Cyberattacks are not acts of chance; they are the result of gaps in discipline, awareness, and internal controls. One click can initiate a catastrophic chain reaction, but with the right measures in place, that chain can be broken.

Executives must treat cybersecurity not as a technical issue, but as a strategic priority.
Managers must take ownership of their teams’ cyber hygiene.

Staff must understand that cybersecurity begins with them.

Because in today’s environment, from click to catastrophe is only a matter of time, unless you are prepared.

Cybersecurity checklist every employee must know

IFIS & SCL Teams.