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With Verizon reporting that the ‘human element’ plays a part in 85% of cyber security breaches, your business can be compromised by just one well-crafted and well-researched phishing email landing in an employee’s inbox.The fact is, common attacks like phishing have rapidly evolved over the past few years, and businesses have been slow to put in place effective measures for combatting the growing risks - resulting in more breaches, costly financial hits and damaging data losses.That’s why we’ve launched a brand new service that reduces employee human error and gives staff the knowledge to combat evolving cyber threats.<h3>Start tackling human cyber risk through ongoing Human Risk Management (HRM)</h3>With user-targeted attacks seeing a huge increase in the past couple of years, not least due to the rapid switch of staff working from home, sophisticated attacks like phishing and business email compromise have surged.That’s why we now offer a new comprehensive solution for helping your business measure, reduce and monitor human cyber risk - without hindering employee productivity or draining internal time or money.With our new managed Human Risk Management (HRM) service, you’re able to:<ul style="list-style-type: square;" data-mce-style="list-style-type: square;"><li>Prevent user-related breaches, fines and financial losses caused by human error.</li><li>&nbsp;Strengthen data loss prevention by boosting human resilience to targeted attacks.</li><li>&nbsp;Demonstrate compliance standards with key frameworks like ISO 27001.</li></ul><h3>How does it work?</h3><ul style="list-style-type: square;" data-mce-style="list-style-type: square;"><li>Human Risk Management (HRM) combines the key elements needed to build a security-savvy culture against evolving cyber threats. It does this by combining.</li><li>Regular user-tailored security awareness training that educates staff through bite-sized videos.</li><li>Periodic phishing simulations that assess ongoing human vulnerability against a range of trending attacks.</li><li>Ongoing dark web monitoring that identifies exposed user credentials on the dark web, allowing you to prevent attacks before they happen.</li><li>Simplified policy management processes that track employee signature approvals and automate reminders.</li></ul><h3>Understand your employee security posture today with a free Human Risk Report (HRR)</h3>To celebrate the launch of our new service, we’re giving you the opportunity to calculate your human cyber risk with a free Human Risk Report (HRR).Through a few steps, we’ll calculate the human risk score of your business and provide you with a clear action plan for strengthening at-risk areas.<img id="1tl0f3xmgfm52dit27" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22f9pzMcE2EE1xtvSRus5qad9LSlC9kGUDqiobCNDdPEWtPJoYWm2WSeMdaMtEGh.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22f9pzMcE2EE1xtvSRus5qad9LSlC9kGUDqiobCNDdPEWtPJoYWm2WSeMdaMtEGh.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;">To claim your free Human Risk Report (HRR), fill in the form on this <a data-mce-href="https://cyber-nest.io/contact" href="https://cyber-nest.io/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">page</a> and we’ll start analysing your business for vulnerabilities.

Build a security-savvy workforce through ongoing Human Risk Management

In our interconnected world, the biggest threats to security aren’t just coming from malicious code or sophisticated hacking tools—they’re coming from the manipulation of human behavior. This is the essence of social engineering, a method used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into giving up sensitive information or access to protected systems.Understanding these tactics is crucial, especially for businesses, because no matter how strong your technical defenses are, if someone can trick an employee into giving away credentials, the damage is done. Let’s dive into what social engineering is, the tactics used by attackers, and how you can protect your business.<h3>What Is Social Engineering?</h3> At its core, social engineering is a psychological attack. Instead of exploiting vulnerabilities in software, social engineers exploit the vulnerabilities in human nature. The reason these attacks work so well is because they take advantage of our natural tendencies to trust, respond to authority, or help others.For example, imagine receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be your company’s IT department, asking for your login credentials to "fix an issue." The person sounds legitimate, maybe even urgent, and before you know it, you've handed over valuable information to a hacker. Social engineering thrives on deception and manipulation.Common Social Engineering Tactics Social engineers have a toolkit full of techniques designed to trick individuals and gain unauthorized access. Let’s explore some of the most common tactics.Phishing Phishing is one of the most well-known forms of social engineering. Attackers send fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from a trusted source. These messages often prompt the victim to click a link, download an attachment, or provide personal information. Phishing attacks have evolved to look incredibly convincing, making them one of the most dangerous threats.Pretexting Pretexting is all about creating a believable backstory. Attackers often pose as someone with authority or a legitimate need for information. For example, a hacker might pretend to be a government official or a company executive, using this fake identity to request sensitive details. The success of pretexting relies on the attacker’s ability to build trust and create a sense of urgency.Baiting Ever been tempted by a free offer online? That’s baiting. Cybercriminals dangle something enticing, like a free download or a promotion, to lure victims into handing over sensitive information or installing malicious software. It’s essentially a trap, and those who take the bait could find their devices infected with malware.Tailgating Tailgating is a physical form of social engineering where an unauthorized person gains access to a restricted area by following someone with legitimate access. This could be as simple as someone holding a door open for the attacker, assuming they have a reason to be there. It’s a reminder that social engineering can happen offline, too.Quid Pro Quo In quid pro quo attacks, hackers promise a service or benefit in exchange for information. For example, someone might call pretending to be tech support, offering to help fix a computer issue, but only if you give them your login details. The victim, thinking they’re getting help, unknowingly gives away the keys to the kingdom.<h3>How Social Engineering Attacks Unfold</h3> Social engineering attacks are not random—they’re carefully planned and executed. A typical attack starts with reconnaissance, where the attacker gathers information about the target. This might involve scouring social media for details about the company, its employees, or its processes.Next comes the approach. The attacker will contact the victim, often posing as a legitimate entity or person. The goal at this stage is to build rapport and trust, setting the stage for the real attack. Once trust is established, the attacker makes the request—this could be asking for login credentials, physical access, or sensitive documents. The final stage is the execution, where the attacker uses the information to breach security systems, steal data, or carry out a fraud.<h3>Impact on Businesses</h3> The financial and reputational damage caused by social engineering can be staggering. A single successful phishing email could result in the loss of thousands or even millions of dollars, not to mention the cost of recovery and damage control. For small businesses, a social engineering attack can be devastating—many never fully recover from the financial impact or the loss of trust from customers.Every business is at risk, regardless of size. Cybercriminals know that smaller companies may not have the same resources to defend against attacks, making them easy targets. Larger enterprises, on the other hand, are attractive due to the sheer volume of valuable data they hold.<h3>Defense Against Social Engineering Tactics</h3> The good news? You can defend against social engineering attacks. Here’s how:1. Employee Training Your employees are your first line of defense. Regular training on <a data-mce-href="https://cyber-nest.io/security-awareness-training" href="https://cyber-nest.io/security-awareness-training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how to spot phishing emails</a>, suspicious requests, and other social engineering tactics is crucial. Awareness is key—when your team knows what to look for, they’re less likely to fall victim.2. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Even if an attacker gets hold of someone’s password, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security. It requires a second form of verification, such as a text message code, making it harder for cybercriminals to gain access.3. Regular Security Audits Frequent audits can help identify weak points in your security systems before attackers can exploit them. It’s like getting a health check for your business’s cybersecurity—regular maintenance goes a long way.4. Have an Incident Response Plan No one wants to think about the worst-case scenario, but having an incident response plan in place can save your business in the event of a breach. This plan should outline the steps to take immediately after an attack, helping to minimize damage and recover more quickly.Conclusion Social engineering may be a dark art, but it’s not unbeatable. By understanding the tactics used by cybercriminals and implementing strong defenses, you can protect your business from these manipulative attacks. As always, staying vigilant and <a data-mce-href="https://cyber-nest.io/security-awareness-training" href="https://cyber-nest.io/security-awareness-training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">educating your team</a> will be your best defense against the evolving threat of social engineering.

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Build a security-savvy workforce through ongoing Human Ri...

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