What does "social engineering" exploit in cyber security?

Social engineering exploits human psychology to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information. This technique leverages trust, fear, urgency, or other emotional triggers to deceive individuals into providing sensitive data, such as passwords, usernames, or personal identification numbers.

The fundamental principle behind social engineering is that humans can often be the weakest link in security systems. Unlike technological vulnerabilities, which may require specific skills to breach, social engineering bypasses technical barriers through interpersonal interactions. Attackers may pose as legitimate entities, such as IT support or trusted colleagues, to acquire information that would otherwise be secured.

Understanding this tactic is crucial for developing effective security protocols and training programs that educate users on recognizing and resisting manipulation attempts. This helps enhance overall security within an organization by fostering a culture of awareness around the psychological aspects of security risks.