Why your employees must know what to look out for and how to avoid social engineering.
Social engineering is one of the most effective cyberattack strategies because it doesn’t target software or networks—it targets human nature. At its core, social engineering is the manipulation of people into performing actions or sharing information they shouldn’t. It’s a psychological attack, and it works alarmingly well.
Strategies Cybercriminals Use
Attackers use a variety of tactics to trick individuals into giving up access. Phishing is the most well-known technique, where fake emails or texts mimic legitimate sources to harvest login credentials or financial information. More targeted versions, like spear phishing, are customized for a specific person or company.
Pretexting is a strategy where attackers create a believable backstory in order to gain someone’s trust. They might pretend to be IT support asking for login credentials, a vendor confirming payment details, or even a co-worker who has a mundane question.
Then there’s baiting, which relies on curiosity or greed, often by offering a fake reward or downloadable file laced with malware.
Some attackers even use in-person tactics like tailgating, where someone slips into a secure area by following an authorized employee.
These strategies succeed because they tap into emotions such as urgency, fear, trust, and curiosity. A well-crafted email claiming your payroll information needs to be verified or that your account has been locked will catch anyone off guard, especially if the message looks official and the timing feels plausible.
For businesses, the consequences of social engineering can be severe. A single employee clicking the wrong link can open the door to data breaches, ransomware, financial theft, or compliance violations. Even with advanced firewalls and antivirus software, the human element remains a vulnerable entry point if not properly trained.
How to Recognize Social Engineering
So, how can you recognize and stop a social engineering attack? Be cautious of any unsolicited communication that creates urgency or asks for sensitive information. Double-check email addresses, especially when dealing with financial or login-related requests. Do not download files from unknown sources and hover over links before clicking. Most importantly, verify requests through a second method of contact, or call the person or company directly.
How to Avoid and Resolve It
Avoiding social engineering is about building a culture of security. Regular employee training, strong password policies, and multi-factor authentication all help reduce risk. Ensuring your employees understand what social engineering is and how it is being used every day, will help them be able to recognize it happening to them. If a breach does occur, have an incident response plan in place in order to minimize damage and restore operations quickly.
Social engineering will always evolve, but so can your defenses. When people are your first line of defense instead of your weakest link, your business becomes much harder to exploit.
