Social engineering is a type of cyberattack that manipulates human behaviour to gain access to confidential data, systems, or physical locations. Instead of exploiting software, attackers exploit trust, urgency, or ignorance to bypass technical controls.
How Social Engineering Works
An attacker poses as a trusted figure, such as an IT support agent, a vendor, or a colleague, and contacts a target via phone, email, or chat. The goal is to get the victim to share passwords, approve unauthorized actions, or click malicious links.
Common tactics include:
- Phishing, where users are tricked through fake emails or websites
- Pretexting, where attackers invent a scenario to justify the request
- Baiting, where malware is offered as free software or a USB drop
- Tailgating, where someone physically follows staff into a secure area
- Quizzes or forms, designed to harvest sensitive inputs under the guise of fun or admin work
These attacks work because people tend to trust, comply under pressure, or overlook minor irregularities.
Why Social Engineering Works
Even the most advanced firewall cannot stop someone from willingly giving away credentials. Attackers often study their targets using social media, business websites, or leaked databases. Once they know enough, they strike with messages that appear credible and well-timed.
Unlike brute-force attacks, social engineering is subtle and difficult to trace. It often plays out over weeks, with attackers building rapport before making a move.
Social Engineering in Indian Organizations
Indian enterprises are frequent targets due to their size, diverse workforce, and rapid digitization. Industries like BFSI, manufacturing, and IT services have seen targeted social engineering campaigns aimed at executives, HR departments, and finance teams.
Attackers use local context, festivals, policy changes, or supply chain updates to make their messages more believable.
What You Should Know
Social engineering cannot be solved with tools alone. It requires a culture of awareness, validation, and minimal privilege. Proactive helps enterprises reduce risk with a combination of training, identity verification tools like Cisco Duo, and behavioural monitoring to flag unusual actions before they escalate.
