AI-Powered Social Engineering: The Evolving Threat

The Foundations of Social Engineering Remain the Same, but the Vectors Are Changing

The foundations for social engineering attacks – manipulating humans – might not have changed much over the years. It’s the vectors – how these techniques are deployed – that are evolving. And like most industries these days, AI is accelerating its evolution.

The Impact on Business and Cybersecurity

This article explores how these changes are impacting business, and how cybersecurity leaders can respond.

Impersonation Attacks: Using a Trusted Identity

Traditional forms of defense were already struggling to solve social engineering, the ’cause of most data breaches. These are essential parts of human nature and instinct that have evolved over thousands of years. Naturally, this isn’t something that can evolve at the same speed as malicious actors’ methods or the progress of AI. Traditional forms of awareness, with online courses and questions and answers, aren’t built for this AI-powered reality.

The Need for Simulated Social Engineering Attacks

That’s why part of the answer — especially while technical protections are still catching up — is to make your workforce experience simulated social engineering attacks. Because your employees might not remember what you say about defending against a cyber attack when it occurs, but they will remember how it makes them feel. So that when a real attack happens, they’re aware of how to respond.

The Importance of Employee Awareness

Simulated social engineering attacks can help employees develop the skills and instincts needed to recognize and respond to real attacks. By making them feel the impact of a social engineering attack, you can help them become more vigilant and less likely to fall victim to a real attack.

Conclusion

The threat of AI-powered social engineering is real, and it’s evolving rapidly. By understanding the changing vectors of social engineering and taking steps to educate and train your workforce, you can help protect your business from these types of attacks.

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