Social engineering attacks exploit humans by manipulating individuals into sharing confidential information or granting unauthorized access. According to Enterprise App Today, 98% of cyberattacks involve social engineering which can lead to a company loss of an average of $130,000 per incident.

Learning how to prevent social engineering attacks is essential. Effective defense strategies require proactive security, training, and a technical understanding of cybercriminal tactics to empower employees as the first line of defense. Addressing the human element of cybersecurity is just as critical as securing technical systems and infrastructure.

Social Engineering Risks and Why Prevention Is Key

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Social engineering introduces an enormous amount of risk. 56% of organizations receive phishing emails (a common social engineering attack) on a daily or weekly basis. And 1 in 8 of those employees who receive a phishing email are likely to accidentally share their credentials according to Sprinto.

Although phishing emails are a prevalent method, they are just one of the many types of cyber attacks that threat actors leverage. It’s important to bring awareness to the current threat landscape with proper preparation on how to stop social engineering attacks by mitigating threats early to prevent data breaches, reputational damages, financial loss, and more.

10 Defensive Measures Against Social Engineering Attacks

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To help avoid cyber threats, we put together a list of 10 practical and effective defensive measures against social engineering attacks.

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1. Leverage Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), organizations can analyze an enormous amount of data to identify anomalies and suspicious activities in real-time to detect and mitigate social engineering attacks. AI can quickly detect phishing attempts by analyzing email patterns and blocking messages before they reach employees’ inboxes. ML algorithms can adapt to evolving threats for continuous detection and prevent an attack.

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2. Continuous Employee Security Training

82% of data breaches involve people, according to Enterprise App Today – making it critical to regularly train employees through training programs, simulated phishing exercises, and open discussions about the most recent threats. Companies should leverage real-world examples to help employees recognize red flags and communicate effectively with their cybersecurity and IT teams without fear. This proactive approach helps expand on the tech team’s efforts.

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3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Across All Systems

According to Sprinto, over 80% of the data breaches involved weak or stolen passwords. MFA adds a layer of security to passwords by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, such as a one-time code sent via text, call, email, or even a token. These two steps help minimize the risk of unauthorized access even if a malicious actor does get a hold of login credentials. Organizations can set up mandatory MFA for their systems to enhance security across the company.

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4. Strict Access Control and Privilege Management

Access control and privilege management ensure restricted access to information and systems based on a person’s role. Strict access control policies minimize risks by limiting administrative rights to essential personnel only– ultimately, reducing the attack surface for social engineering exploits.

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5. Deploy Behavioral Analytics and Threat Intelligence

With behavioral analytics, security and IT professionals can monitor user activity for deviations to identify potential insider threats or compromised accounts. By pairing behavioral analytics with threat intelligence, companies can get deeper insights into emerging cybersecurity tactics and respond to unusual behavior in real-time.

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6. Regular Security Audits and Penetration Testing

Through routine security audits and penetration testing an organization can evaluate their current security posture and identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by social engineering attacks. Based on the results, they can take corrective actions to address weaknesses, fix gaps, and fortify their systems and infrastructure.

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7. Establish Clear Incident Response Protocols

Clear incident response protocols should outline steps for employees to ensure minimum impact of any cyberattack, including notifying shareholders and taking specific actions during an incident. Regular drills and updates can limit damage, accelerate recovery, and ensure proper procedures are consistently followed.

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8. Foster a Security-Conscious Culture

Creating an environment where cybersecurity is prioritized is a must in safeguarding your organization. Through open communication and encouragement of reporting any suspicious activity, organizational leaders can create a culture where cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and everyone is accountable for the security of the company.

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9. Collaborate with Cybersecurity Providers

Partnering with cybersecurity providers extends security and IT team efforts with access to advanced tools, expertise, and resources. With solutions like threat intelligence, digital risk protection, and real-time monitoring, businesses can stay more informed about their environment, the latest attack trends, and top technologies. Cybersecurity partners can also help organizations meet compliance requirements and stay on top of best practices.

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10. Regularly Review and Update Policies

As threats continue to evolve, so should companies’ security policies. Outdated policies can leave room for vulnerabilities and exploitations. By regularly reviewing policies, procedures, and guidelines, organizations can ensure that employees adhere to and comply with them to keep their organization as secure as possible.

A multi-layered approach is the best defense against social engineering attacks. By being proactive in training and technology, businesses can lessen the risks of social engineering and respond to these attempts quickly, efficiently, and securely.

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Stay One Step Ahead of Social Engineering Threats with Doppel

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Organizations can streamline security efforts, identify vulnerabilities, and get ongoing protection through Doppel’s advanced technology. With Doppel’s Social Engineering defense, companies like yours get proactive protection against cyberattacks and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Learn more about Doppel’s digital risk protection, online brand protection services, and executive cyber security protection solutions.

Discover the Doppel difference: easily detect and neutralize threats across every digital footprint, protect against phishing and fraud, and get only the most critical AI-powered alerts refined by human precision. Request a demo today.