What is an appropriate action to take if you receive a suspicious email?

Reporting the suspicious email to your IT department is the most appropriate action to take. The IT department is equipped to handle potential security threats and can investigate the email for malicious content, phishing attempts, or signs of compromise. This action ensures that any risks posed by the email can be assessed and mitigated effectively.

Taking this approach also helps in maintaining overall cybersecurity within the organization. If the email is indeed harmful, the IT department can alert others and implement necessary protective measures. Proper reporting channels are set up for exactly this reason—to handle suspicious communications responsibly.

In contrast, opening attachments could expose your system to malware, while forwarding the email to a friend may not provide any security insight and could inadvertently spread a threat. Responding to the sender could also confirm your email address as active, potentially leading to further phishing attempts or scams. Hence, involving the IT department is the best course of action to safeguard yourself and your organization.