In the world of cybersecurity, the greatest threat isn't always a rogue piece of code or a system bug. It’s something much harder to remediate – the human element. 

Unlike traditional cyber threats that seek to exploit system vulnerabilities, social engineering attacks bypass technical defenses by manipulating people into revealing confidential information or making security mistakes. 

That's why understanding social engineering is so vital. It's not just about implementing the latest security controls; it's about recognizing the human vulnerabilities within our organizations and learning how to fortify them.

So let's delve deeper into the world of social engineering, understand the extent of the threat it poses with the latest social engineering statistics, and explore how organizations can guard against this formidable threat.

What are social engineering attacks?

Social engineering is a method used by cybercriminals that involves tricking people into sharing confidential information such as passwords and credit card numbers, or access to their computer systems where they install malicious software. Instead of breaking into a system directly, social engineers manipulate people into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information.

The trust we place in others, our desire to be helpful, and even our fears are all vulnerabilities that cybercriminals eagerly exploit. They don't need advanced hacking skills if they can simply trick an employee into clicking a malicious link or revealing a password.

Social engineering is among the most common types of cyberattacks used by bad actors to exploit an organization — and attacks are growing more sophisticated. Social engineers are using increasingly personalized tactics to gain trust and avoid suspicion. Voice cloning and deepfake technology make it possible for threat actors to impersonate their targets in even more convincing ways. In one high-profile instance, the AI-created voice of a bank director was used to trick a bank manager into transferring $35 million to threat actors.

Social engineering attacks are an especially dangerous threat to organizations specifically because of the human element. Mistakes made by legitimate users are more difficult to detect, predict, and remediate. In many cases, victims don’t even realize they’ve been tricked.

Most common types of social engineering attacks

1. Ransomware attacks: Malicious software encrypts a victim's files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.
2. Phishing attacks: Generic emails are sent to large numbers of people, tricking them into revealing sensitive information.
3. Spear phishing: Phishing scams tailored to specific individuals, often using personal information to appear more legitimate.
4. CEO fraud/Whaling: High-ranking executives are impersonated to trick employees into performing actions like transferring funds.
5. Business Email Compromise (BEC): Similar to CEO fraud, but the attacker infiltrates the email account of the executive to make the requests seem more legitimate.
6. Smishing: Phishing via SMS. The attacker sends a text message prompting the recipient to reveal sensitive information or click a malicious link.
7. Vishing: Voice phishing, where the attacker impersonates a trusted entity over a phone call.
8. Baiting: The attacker leaves a physical device, like a USB stick loaded with malware, in a place where the target will find it.
9. Piggybacking/Tailgating: The attacker gains physical access to a restricted area by following someone who is authorized to be there.
10. Pretexting: The attacker fabricates a believable scenario (or pretext) to steal the victim's personal information.
11. Quid Pro Quo/Tech support scams: The attacker offers a service or benefit in exchange for information or access.
12. Scareware: Malware is embedded in free software, which is then distributed to unsuspecting users.
13. Watering hole attacks: The attacker infects websites that their target is known to visit with the intent of compromising the target's device.

Social engineering statistics for 2025

We combed through data reports by trusted authorities like the FBI, Verizon, IBM, Kaspersky, and many more to find the latest must-know social engineering statistics. 

Guarding against an invisible threat: How to prevent social engineering attacks

Unlike other types of cybersecurity threats that exploit system vulnerabilities, social engineering targets the most unpredictable element in an organization – the human factor. That’s why awareness and education are your first and best lines of defense. By understanding social engineering attacks, their phases, and the common types, your team is already better prepared to recognize and counteract these cyber threats before they can impact your organization.

1. Create a culture of security awareness

Developing a robust cybersecurity framework begins by nurturing a culture of security awareness. This isn't a task that should be left solely to your IT department, it's a collective responsibility. Everyone in your organization must understand the threats they face and their role in preventing them.

Security awareness training should be a regular part of the onboarding process for new hires and should continue throughout an employee's tenure. This training should also evolve to match the sophistication of social engineering tactics. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

2. Learn to recognize social engineering tactics

Your employees should be familiar with the tactics that social engineers employ. Here are some key measures:

• Check email addresses: Hackers often impersonate trusted sources. Always verify the sender's email address. For instance, 'support@micros0ft.com' might appear legitimate at first glance, but notice the number '0' replacing the letter 'o'.
• Don’t click on suspicious links: Hover over links to display the actual URL before clicking. Beware of URLs that do not match the supposed destination or that are unnecessarily long with random characters.
• Watch for commonly used subject lines: Phrases like "Password Reset Required Immediately," "Your Account Has Been Suspended," and "Unauthorised Login Attempt" are commonly used to spark urgency and fear.
• Contact the sender directly: If an email or message seems suspicious, contact the sender directly using known contact information, not the details provided in the suspicious communication.

3. Conduct regular phishing testing

Phishing testing is a proactive approach to strengthen your organization's defense. Regularly conducting simulated phishing campaigns can help assess your team's response and identify areas that need improvement. This approach also helps employees understand the importance of security protocols and allows them to apply their training in a safe environment.

4. Complete regular patching and security updates

Regardless of how security-aware your employees are, outdated software, hardware, and applications can provide an easy way in for hackers. Regular patching and security updates are crucial to fix known vulnerabilities and keep your systems secure. Consider automated patch management systems to streamline this process.

5. Implement continuous monitoring

Continuous monitoring is a crucial step in detecting and responding to security incidents promptly. Analyzing website traffic and activity for anomalies can help spot unusual behavior that may indicate a social engineering attempt. Using machine learning and AI, modern security systems can detect patterns and provide real-time alerts for suspicious activity.

Social engineering is a significant threat that requires a strategic response. By fostering a culture of security awareness, regularly training employees, conducting phishing testing, keeping all systems updated, and continuously monitoring for suspicious activity, organizations can effectively guard against malicious attacks.

Protect against social engineers and cybercriminals with Secureframe Train

Our security and compliance automation platform includes proprietary security awareness training, making it easy to assign, track, and report on required employee training. Our engaging training programs are kept up-to-date, so the latest best practices are learned and applied throughout your organization. You can also segment your workforce and assign just the training required for each group or role.

Learn more about Secureframe Training, or schedule a demo with a product expert.