What does "social engineering" involve?

Social engineering involves manipulating individuals to divulge confidential information. This practice exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking methods, aiming to deceive people into breaking normal security procedures. For example, an attacker may pose as a trusted figure, such as an IT support technician, to convince a target to provide sensitive data or access to secure systems.

Understanding social engineering is crucial in cybersecurity because it highlights the importance of user training and awareness. Employees need to recognize and resist attempts to manipulate them, as technical defenses can only go so far without vigilant human oversight. This concept underscores the need for comprehensive security practices that encompass both technology and human factors in safeguarding sensitive information.