What is 'social engineering' in the context of cybersecurity?

Social engineering in the context of cybersecurity refers specifically to the techniques used to manipulate individuals into disclosing confidential or sensitive information. This manipulation often involves exploiting human psychology, trust, and emotions rather than technical methods to breach security measures.

Cyber attackers frequently employ social engineering tactics to gain unauthorized access to systems or data by convincing individuals to divulge login credentials, personal identification numbers, or other sensitive information. This can occur through various means, such as phishing emails, pretexting, or baiting, where the attacker creates a scenario that prompts the target to act against their usual security practices.

By understanding social engineering, cybersecurity professionals can better protect individuals and organizations from these kinds of attacks, emphasizing the importance of awareness and training in recognizing such tactics and preventing information leaks.