Fast-Growing Dudek Drives Progress, Delivers Excellence from Its People Across the Nation

• Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management

• Business Operation

• System Integration

In 2020, Dudek faced a significant rise in advanced email attacks, particularly credential phishing, which targeted employees and executives. The existing email security measures, including Microsoft 365 detection tools, were insufficient, leading to numerous threats bypassing defenses and creating a heavy workload for the IT team. The CFO and her team were especially targeted, making their jobs more challenging. The IT department spent considerable time manually purging malicious emails, which was inefficient and time-consuming.

Dudek is a fast-growing environmental consulting and engineering firm that has been in operation for over four decades. Initially starting as a two-person consulting practice in Encinitas, California, the company has expanded significantly and now operates projects in nearly every state across the United States. With over 500 employees in their offices and an additional 200 in the field, Dudek serves a diverse range of clients, including government agencies, transportation authorities, universities, healthcare organizations, and the construction industry. The firm's portfolio includes renewable energy consulting, environmental impact reporting, engineering services for high-speed rail line development, and wildfire protection plans. Dudek prides itself on its client-centric approach, effective communication, and collaboration, making it a reliable and easy-to-work-with partner.

Dudek sought a Microsoft-compatible solution for advanced email threats that would be cost-effective, quick to deploy, and easy to use. They chose Abnormal Security, which integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365. Abnormal's API model allowed for a quick setup, and the solution required no additional training for employees. During the proof of value trial, Abnormal demonstrated its effectiveness by showing what threats it detected and how it would have stopped them. The solution provided immediate value by protecting vendor relationships and resolving longstanding credential phishing problems. Abnormal's VendorBase™ continuously assesses the risk and reputation of each vendor, monitors email content for changes, and stops attacks to prevent financial losses.

• Abnormal Security's solution required no additional training for Dudek's employees, making the transition smooth and efficient.
• The solution provided immediate value by protecting vendor relationships and preventing financial losses from vendor email compromise attacks.
• Abnormal Security significantly reduced the number of phishing tickets, easing the workload on Dudek's IT team and help desk.

• Dudek's IT team previously spent 30 minutes to an hour manually purging each phishing email, a task they had to perform multiple times each week.
• Before implementing Abnormal Security, Dudek received five to six phishing tickets a day. After implementation, this number dropped to nearly zero.