# Phishing, privileges and passwords: Why identity is critical to improving cybersecurity posture

DevFeed: [Phishing, privileges and passwords: Why identity is critical to improving cybersecurity posture](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/phishing-privileges-and-passwords-why-identity-is-critical-to-improving-cybersecurity-posture-8337.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/business-security/phishing-privileges-passwords-identity-cybersecurity-posture/>)

Author: Phil Muncaster

Published: 2025-12-04T10:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [WeLiveSecurity](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/welivesecurity.md>)

Topics: [passwords](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/passwords.md>), [Cybersecurity](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cybersecurity.md>), [Vishing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/vishing.md>), [ransomware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ransomware.md>), [Social engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/social-engineering.md>), [Critical Infrastructure](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/critical-infrastructure.md>)

Tags: [attacks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/attacks.md>), [breach](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/breach.md>), [business-security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/business-security.md>), [critical-infrastructure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/critical-infrastructure.md>), [cybersecurity](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cybersecurity.md>), [identity](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/identity.md>), [password-spraying](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/password-spraying.md>), [passwords](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/passwords.md>), [phishing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/phishing.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains why identity has become the new network perimeter and why protecting credentials is central to cybersecurity. It examines ransomware incidents involving M&S and Co-op Group, credential theft through vishing, phishing, infostealer malware, password database breaches, brute-force attacks, credential stuffing, and password spraying.

## Source excerpt

Identity is effectively the new network boundary. It must be protected at all costs.