What is Social Engineering? Types, Prevention, and Mitigation

  • Rob Witcher
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  • Updated on: 07 Nov 2024

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    As CISSP candidates and cybersecurity professionals, we're often laser-focused on the technical aspects of information security. Firewalls, encryption, access controls—these are the tools of our trade. But there's a critical vulnerability that no patch can fix: the human element. This is where social engineering comes into play.

    Social engineering exploits human psychology to bypass even the most robust security systems. It's a threat that can compromise Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI) just as effectively as any sophisticated malware.

    While the CISSP exam doesn't require you to be an expert social engineer, understanding this approach is crucial. It's about recognizing the tactics used by malicious actors and developing strategies to protect against them. So, let's dive into this critical aspect of cybersecurity and uncover how to defend against these human-centric threats.

    How Does Social Engineering Work?

    Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging sensitive information or taking actions that compromise security. It's a powerful technique that exploits the most unpredictable element in any security system: human behavior.

    At its core, social engineering can be defined as using deception or intimidation to get people to provide sensitive information that they shouldn't, in order to facilitate fraudulent activities. It's a method that bypasses technical security measures by targeting the people who interact with those systems.

    In most organizations, the biggest security weakness exists between the keyboard and the back of the chair: employees. Social engineers exploit the inherent kindness, emotions, and natural tendencies of people to achieve their malicious goals. This human-centric approach is why social engineering is so prevalent and, unfortunately, so effective.

    Social engineering tactics generally fall into three main categories:

    1. Intimidation: This involves inducing fear to manipulate someone into a specific course of action. An attacker might pose as an authority figure and threaten consequences if their demands aren't met.
    2. Deception: This tactic involves tricking someone in one manner or another. It could be as simple as pretending to be a coworker or as elaborate as creating a fake website.
    3. Rapport: This is a more long-term approach where the attacker builds a gradual relationship with a victim in order to take advantage of it later. It plays on our natural inclination to trust and help those we know.

    These tactics exploit human psychology, making social engineering attacks particularly effective at compromising PII and PHI. Familiarizing yourself and your organization with how social engineering works is crucial in developing robust defenses against these human-centric threats.

    Types of Social Engineering Attacks

    Social engineers employ various tactics to exploit human psychology. Let's explore some of the most common types of social engineering attacks you should be familiar with:

    Phishing

    Phishing is where an attacker sends many emails with the hope that the target will open an email and click on a link or open a file that leads to a malicious action. For example, an attacker might send out thousands of emails claiming to be from a popular online service, prompting users to "verify" their accounts by clicking a link

    Spear Phishing

    Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing that typically focuses on certain individuals or groups of individuals. Through a bit of discovery, the attacker determines what might prompt the targeted individual(s) to click on a link in an email, and the hook is then baited. A classic example is an attacker sending a malicious PDF posing as an invoice to the accounts payable team, perhaps referencing a recent legitimate transaction to appear more convincing.

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    Whaling

    Like spear phishing, this is also an email attack and targets the big fish—the whales—in an organization. Typically, people like the CEO, COO, and CFO are the targets of a whaling attack. An attacker might impersonate a board member, sending an urgent email to the CEO about a confidential matter requiring immediate action.

    Smishing

    Smishing is a form of phishing that targets mobile phone users. Typically, an attacker purporting to be from a legitimate company sends a fraudulent text/SMS message to a potential victim, with the hope that the target will click a link in the message. Smishing attacks can be simple, with the hope that a victim will click on a link and then reveal sensitive information, or they can be sophisticated and allow the attacker to control the victim’s phone and thereby gain access to bank accounts, corporate resources, and other sensitive material.

    Vishing

    Vishing is another form of phishing, and the name refers to the way it is typically presented to a potential victim—via voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems (though attacks can take place over mobile phones, landlines, or voice mail). An attacker might call posing as tech support, claiming there's been a security breach and requesting login credentials to "verify" the user's identity.

    Pretexting

    Pretexting involves the attacker creating a scenario, almost like a script, that very ingeniously and subtly spurs the victim into action. Usually, the pretext will strike an emotional chord—whether it's your "bank" calling with news about suspicious activity related to your account, or a "friend" texting you with news about an unfortunate incident that's left them stranded someplace. Ultimately, a request is made for money, sensitive information, or both.

    Baiting

    Baiting is a form of social engineering that preys on people's curiosity via the use of physical tools, like USB drives. Usually, the attacker will drop some USB drives in a building parking lot, a hallway, a convention hall, or other crowded areas. Then, some employees, hotel guests, or convention attendees will find the device and plug it into their computer to try and identify the owner and return it. These drives might be labeled intriguingly, such as "Confidential: Employee Salaries," to increase the likelihood of someone plugging them in.

    Tailgating and Piggybacking

    Tailgating or piggybacking is the action of following a person who is authorized to enter a restricted area through a door and thus gain unauthorized access. The difference is that in tailgating the attacker possesses a badge that is fake but looks real. In piggybacking, the attacker doesn't have any badges at all. For example, an attacker might wait by a secure door, and then quickly follow an employee in while pretending to be deeply engaged in a phone conversation.

    Social Engineering Prevention and Mitigation

    Mitigating social engineering attacks is most effectively done through awareness, training, and education. Strong security policies also play a crucial role. Here are some key strategies to prevent and mitigate social engineering attacks:

    • Awareness and Training: Regularly educate employees about current social engineering tactics and how to recognize them.
    • Implement Strong Security Policies: Develop and enforce policies for handling sensitive information and proper communication practices.
    • Request Proof of Identity: Always verify the identity of individuals requesting sensitive information or access.
    • Callback Authorization: For voice- or text-only requests involving network changes or sensitive information, implement a callback verification process using official channels.
    • Out-of-Band Verification: When sensitive information is requested via email by a purported known entity (like a bank), encourage contacting the entity through official channels, not using the information provided in the suspicious email.
    • Use Official Contact Information: Reach out only via the entity's official website or other confirmed sources, using valid, easily verifiable landline numbers belonging to the legitimate organization.

    These practical steps, combined with ongoing education and strong policies, can significantly reduce an organization's vulnerability to social engineering attacks. Remember, the goal is to create an environment where employees feel empowered to question suspicious requests and report potential security incidents.

    FAQs

    What do you mean by social engineering?

    Social engineering is the use of deception or manipulation to trick people into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that compromise security

    What is social engineering in person?

    In-person social engineering involves face-to-face interactions to manipulate individuals into granting access to secure areas or divulging confidential information. This can include tactics like tailgating (following an authorized person into a restricted area), impersonating authority figures, or posing as maintenance or delivery personnel. In-person attacks often rely on creating a sense of legitimacy or urgency to bypass security protocols. These attacks can be particularly effective as they exploit natural human tendencies to be helpful and to trust physical appearances.

    Why is it called social engineering?

    It's called social engineering because it 'engineers' or manipulates social interactions and human behavior to achieve a specific goal, often bypassing technical security measures by exploiting human psychology. Like other forms of engineering, it involves careful planning, understanding of the target "system" (in this case, human behavior), and the application of specific techniques to achieve a desired result. The "engineering" aspect emphasizes the systematic and calculated nature of these attacks.

    Elevate Your Social Engineering Knowledge

    Social engineering remains a formidable threat in the cybersecurity landscape, capable of bypassing even the most sophisticated technical defenses. By exploiting human psychology, these attacks often succeed where traditional hacking methods fail, making them a critical concern for security professionals.

    At Destination Certification, we recognize the importance of understanding social engineering in the context of comprehensive cybersecurity. We offer a CISSP MasterClass that not only teaches you about social engineering but also helps you grasp its role within the broader cybersecurity landscape. Our expert instructors break down various social engineering techniques, equipping you with the knowledge to identify these tactics and assess their potential impact on organizational security.

    Ready to strengthen your defense against human-centric attacks? Join our CISSP MasterClass and gain insights that go beyond the exam syllabus. You'll not only prepare for the CISSP certification but also enhance your ability to contribute to your organization's security posture.

    With DestCert, you'll develop the skills to tackle social engineering challenges in both your exam and your cybersecurity career.

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    Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.

    Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.

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