The term "social engineering" in cybersecurity refers to?

The term "social engineering" in cybersecurity specifically refers to the act of tricking individuals into revealing confidential information. This manipulation often targets human psychology rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities. Attackers use various tactics, such as phishing emails, pretexting, or baiting, to deceive individuals into providing sensitive data, such as passwords, bank account information, or access to secure systems.

Recognizing that social engineering primarily involves interactions with people highlights the importance of security awareness training for individuals within organizations. By understanding common social engineering tactics, individuals can better protect themselves and their organizations from these types of attacks, which can lead to data breaches or other security incidents.