In a landscape increasingly fraught with cyber threats, social engineering attacks are claiming prominence by exploiting human psychology over technological vulnerabilities.
These attacks, which manipulate emotions rather than cracking code, have led to a significant increase in data breaches, according to an IBM report from this year. The report found a 71% rise in incidents involving legitimate credentials, underscoring the shift from traditional hacking to more insidious tactics that leverage human error.
Phishing and the use of stolen credentials are now the primary methods of attack, accounting for 91% of all incidents in 2023. These methods overwhelmingly target sensitive data rather than financial gain, with 85% of breaches aimed at data theft.
Cybercriminals’ success rate is alarming, with 43% of attacks on businesses utilizing social engineering techniques, and a notable 266% surge in the use of info stealers—tools that harvest user credentials and sensitive information.
Andrius Buinovskis, a cybersecurity expert at NordLayer, emphasized the nuanced nature of these threats. “Social engineering is the art of manipulation, not hacking,” he said. “Attackers exploit human psychology, using personalized approaches that resonate emotionally with their targets. This makes social engineering a highly insidious threat that can bypass even the most sophisticated technical defenses.”
To counteract these evolving threats, Buinovskis advocates for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. He highlights the necessity of multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds crucial layers of protection, and network segmentation, which limits attackers’ lateral movement and contains potential breaches. Additionally, he recommends Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) policies to enforce continuous verification of all users and devices.
However, Buinovskis also stresses that technology alone is insufficient. “Creating a human firewall through comprehensive employee education is vital,” he explained. Staff training to recognize social engineering red flags—such as urgency, emotional manipulation, and unusual requests for sensitive information—is essential for enhancing organizational resilience against these threats.
By integrating robust technological defenses with proactive educational policies, businesses can significantly mitigate the risks posed by social engineering and safeguard their critical assets.
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