What does the term "social engineering" refer to in cybersecurity?

The term "social engineering" in cybersecurity specifically refers to the psychological manipulation of individuals to convince them to disclose confidential information. This technique relies on exploiting human psychology rather than technical hacking methods, making it a particularly insidious threat. Social engineers often create a sense of urgency, trust, or fear in order to trick individuals into providing sensitive data, such as passwords or account information.

This understanding is crucial because it highlights the importance of user education and awareness in an organization's security posture. While technical safeguards are essential, addressing the human factor through training and awareness programs is vital in reducing the risk of social engineering attacks.