Social Engineering refers to manipulating or deceiving individuals or groups of people into divulging confidential information or performing actions that may compromise the security of an organization’s information systems or physical security. It is a form of psychological manipulation that exploits human trust, gullibility, and natural curiosity.
Social Engineering attacks can take various forms and may involve the use of electronic communication channels, such as email, instant messaging, or social media platforms, as well as in-person interaction, such as impersonation, pretexting, or tailgating. The goal of Social Engineering is to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as login credentials, financial information, or personal data, or to gain physical access to restricted areas or resources.
The purpose of performing Social Engineering Audits is to identify vulnerabilities in your organization’s human element. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of your organization’s security controls, policies, and procedures regarding Social Engineering attacks. Social Engineering audits help your organization identify weaknesses in your security measures and provide insights into the effectiveness of your security awareness training programs. The audit results can be used to implement improvements in employee education and awareness training programs, and to enhance the overall security posture of your organization.
The first steps are always working with your organization to understand the scope of the audit and the types of Social Engineering attacks that will be simulated and gather information about your organization, your employees, and your security policies and procedures.
Next, our auditors will simulate social engineering attacks such as:
Phishing. Using emails, websites, or other electronic communication methods to trick users into disclosing confidential information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or social security numbers.
Pretexting. Creating a false pretext or scenario to persuade an individual to disclose sensitive information or perform an action that may compromise security.
Baiting. Using enticing offers or promises to lure individuals into disclosing sensitive information or downloading malware-infected files.
Tailgating. Following authorized personnel into restricted areas without proper authorization or credentials.
Impersonation. Posing as someone else to gain access to sensitive information or resources.
Finally, our auditors will analyze the results of the Social Engineering attack and identify areas where your organization’s security policies and procedures should be improved. All our findings will be summarized in a report which also includes recommendations for improving your policies and / or employee training programs.