Social engineering is the art of manipulating users to give up confidential information and sensitive data online. Because it involves a human element, preventing these attacks can be tricky for enterprises – so what is the best defence against it?

Enterprises can take several precautions to defend against cyber attacks and combat social engineering attacks against their employees.

1. Activate Email Spam Filters

Email is the most popular platform for social engineering attacks that typically involve psychological manipulation to trigger emotions in the victims like the urgency of action or fear.

It prompts users or employees receiving the email into taking action, e.g., clicking a malicious link, or downloading a corrupted file with malicious software embedded.

Security threats can involve emails sent from supposedly familiar people to the victim, requests for help or assistance involving financial transactions that benefit the scammer, and phishing.

In phishing attempts, the criminal or phisher sends an email that appears to come from a legitimate institution or directs the victim to the institution’s fake website or digital platform.

The first thing enterprises should do is to set spam filters to high for all email accounts. It will not only help in filtering the vast amounts of emails received daily but also prevent employees from opening and clicking malicious content.

Remember to check the spam folders regularly to make sure there is no accidentally trapped valid correspondence.

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2. Secure Software Systems and Devices

Aside from email filters, ensure your enterprise-grade software is well protected and kept up-to-date. It is recommended setting operating systems to update to the latest advanced security technology automatically.

Ensure all devices connected to your business applications and management systems have security software installed and can update automatically.

If mobile devices such as smartphones do not update automatically, enable notifications for manual updating.

Also, employ an anti-phishing tool offered by your web browser or third party to alert you to potential risks.

3. Invest in an Integrated Security Management System

Cybercrime and social engineering attacks are constantly evolving to find new ways to trick users and breach through sensitive data.

Enterprises can further keep things under control and fight security threats by installing an advanced security system that integrates with business performance management tools and software.

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) assists enterprises to control access to data management and policies, assess information risks, and enhance security audit practices while counteracting the costly aftermath of cybercrime.

An ISO 27001 compliant ISMS  further ensures that enterprise security processes subscribe to international regulatory standards for information security.

MSX Cyber, part of the XGRC product range, assists organizations to drive performance and compliance with its integrated information security management system built on the ISO 9001 Quality and ISO 27001 Information Security framework.

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