Revisiting Social Engineering: The Human Threat to Cybersecurity

This week, we revisit our episode where Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President for Cybersecurity Solutions at Microsoft, talks with infosec expert, white-hat hacker, and CEO of SocialProof Security Rachel Tobac about social engineering, the non-technical strategies cyberattackers use to manipulate targets through human interaction. Ann and Rachel delve into the neuroscience behind social engineering, the entry points social media offers, how fear and urgency factor in, and the similarities between improv and vishing. Listen to learn how savvy attackers exploit everyday human actions and reactions to gain access to funds, data or information – and how “real-world two-factor” and being “politely paranoid” can protect your organization, employees, and customers.

Resources:  

Ann Johnson’s RSA 2020 keynote (“Why people are still your best cyber defense”)

SocialProof Security

Rachel Tobac hacks a voting machine

View Rachel Tobac on LinkedIn

View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn

Related:

Listen to: Security Unlocked

Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.