Business email compromise (BEC) has emerged as one of the most financially damaging online crimes, targeting organisations of all sizes across sectors. As these attacks grow in sophistication, they’re creating an urgent need for specialised forensic expertise. For companies looking to protect themselves, understanding how BEC threats are reshaping the forensics talent landscape is no longer optional—it’s essential for security, compliance, and business continuity.
The changing nature of these attacks requires forensics professionals with increasingly specialised skills, creating both challenges and opportunities in the hiring market. Let’s explore how the rise in BEC is transforming forensic hiring needs and what organisations should consider when building their defensive capabilities.
Business email compromise has evolved far beyond the crude phishing attempts of the past. Today’s BEC attacks use sophisticated social engineering, careful research, and precise targeting to trick even vigilant employees. These attacks typically involve criminals impersonating executives or trusted partners to authorise fraudulent payments or gain access to sensitive information.
What makes BEC particularly dangerous is its human-centric nature. Unlike malware that can be detected by security tools, BEC exploits human trust and organisational processes. Attackers study company hierarchies, mimic communication styles, and strike during periods of organisational change when usual verification procedures might be overlooked.
The financial services sector has been hit particularly hard, but no industry is immune. From manufacturing to healthcare, legal services to technology firms—BEC has become a universal threat that requires specific forensic capabilities to investigate, remediate, and prevent.
The forensic investigation of BEC incidents demands a unique blend of technical and analytical abilities. Traditional digital forensics skills remain important, but they must be complemented by specialised knowledge relevant to email-based attacks.
Email header analysis is now a fundamental skill for forensic investigators. They must be able to trace the true origin of messages by examining SMTP headers, IP addresses, and authentication records. This technical ability helps determine whether an email genuinely came from the purported sender or was spoofed as part of a BEC attack.
Beyond technical skills, today’s forensic experts need:
Forensic specialists must also understand the psychological aspects of social engineering tactics. This helps them reconstruct how attackers manipulated victims and identify vulnerable points in organisational processes that need strengthening.
The ability to connect email-based evidence with other data sources—such as network logs, financial records, and authentication systems—has become increasingly valuable as BEC attacks grow more complex.
Organisations face significant hurdles when searching for forensic specialists with BEC investigation experience. The talent shortage in this niche is acute, with demand far outpacing the supply of qualified professionals.
Several factors contribute to this gap:
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| Limited experience pool | Few professionals have direct experience with BEC investigations |
| Rapidly evolving techniques | Skills become outdated quickly as attack methods change |
| Competition from other sectors | Forensic talent is in demand across multiple industries |
| Lack of specialisation | Many forensics experts have general skills but lack BEC-specific expertise |
The crossover nature of BEC investigations—spanning email systems, financial processes, and human factors—means that candidates need diverse experience that’s difficult to find in a single professional. This multidisciplinary requirement narrows the candidate pool significantly.
Companies often find themselves competing for the same small pool of qualified individuals, driving up compensation demands and extending hiring timelines. This can leave organisations vulnerable during critical periods when forensic capabilities are most needed.
The complexity of BEC attacks has shifted how organisations approach forensic team development. Rather than seeking individual experts who can handle all aspects of an investigation, complementary skillsets within a team structure have proven more effective.
An ideal forensic team addressing BEC threats typically includes:
This team-based approach allows organisations to develop more comprehensive investigative capabilities while mitigating the challenges of finding “unicorn” candidates with all necessary skills.
Many organisations are also establishing partnerships with external forensic specialists to supplement their in-house expertise. This hybrid model provides access to specialised knowledge without the full burden of recruitment and retention.
The rise in business email compromise has triggered significant shifts in how organisations approach forensic hiring. Traditional priorities focused on technical expertise and tool proficiency, but today’s environment demands a broader perspective.
HR and security leaders are now prioritising candidates with investigation experience in financial fraud cases alongside technical skills. The ability to understand business processes, particularly those involving payment authorisations and financial controls, has become as important as technical forensic knowledge.
This shift is reflected in emerging job titles and team structures. Roles like “Email Fraud Investigator” and “Financial Forensics Specialist” are increasingly common, reflecting the specialisation needed to address BEC threats effectively.
Departmental boundaries are also evolving. Where forensic teams once sat firmly within IT or security departments, BEC’s cross-functional nature has created closer integration with:
This integration is reshaping reporting structures and creating new leadership positions that bridge traditional departmental silos.
As BEC attacks continue to evolve, so too will the forensic skills landscape. Several emerging trends are likely to shape forensic hiring in the coming years:
The integration of artificial intelligence in forensic analysis will create demand for professionals who can leverage these tools while maintaining investigative rigor. Rather than replacing human investigators, AI will augment their capabilities, requiring a new blend of technical and analytical skills.
Cross-disciplinary expertise will become increasingly valuable. Professionals who understand both financial systems and digital forensics will be particularly sought after, as will those who can bridge technical and legal domains.
The globalisation of BEC attacks means forensic teams will need international experience and cultural awareness. Understanding multiple financial systems and regulatory frameworks will differentiate top-tier candidates from the general talent pool.
At Iceberg, we’re seeing organisations take a more strategic approach to forensic capability development. Rather than reactive hiring in response to incidents, forward-thinking companies are building comprehensive forensic programmes that combine skilled personnel, effective processes, and appropriate technologies.
For organisations looking to enhance their forensic capabilities in response to BEC threats, a thoughtful hiring strategy is essential. This means understanding the specific skills needed, developing realistic job descriptions, and leveraging partnerships where internal resources aren’t sufficient. Contact our team to discuss how we can help you build effective forensic capabilities to meet the challenges of today’s evolving threat landscape.
