What is social engineering in network security?

Social engineering in network security refers to the psychological manipulation of individuals to persuade them to divulge confidential information. This can include sensitive data such as passwords, personal identification numbers, or other proprietary information. The success of social engineering relies on exploiting human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, often using tactics like deception, impersonation, or the establishment of trust.

Understanding this definition is crucial as it emphasizes the human element in security systems. No matter how advanced a security system might be, if individuals are tricked into revealing sensitive information, it can compromise the entire network's security. Effective training and awareness programs are essential for organizations to help employees recognize and resist these types of threats.