CompTIA ITF+ Practice Test

Social engineering in the context of cybersecurity refers to the psychological manipulation of individuals to persuade them to provide confidential information or access. This tactic exploits human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities, making it a significant threat in the realm of cybersecurity.

In this scenario, social engineers might use tactics such as phishing, pretexting, or baiting to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details. They leverage factors like trust, urgency, or fear to prompt actions that compromise security.

Understanding social engineering is crucial because it highlights the importance of security awareness and training within organizations. Employees must be educated on how to recognize potential social engineering attempts and respond appropriately, as the most sophisticated security measures can be rendered ineffective if the human element is exploited.