In the context of information security, what is 'social engineering'?

Social engineering refers specifically to the psychological manipulation of individuals to encourage them to divulge confidential or sensitive information. This tactic exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, often involving techniques that build trust or create a sense of urgency. For instance, an attacker might pose as an IT support staff member requesting login credentials or personal information under false pretenses.

In contrast, options regarding training employees on security policies or implementing strong passwords focus on establishing preventative measures against security breaches. Testing network defenses through simulations, such as penetration testing, assesses the robustness of systems but does not involve direct interaction with individuals to extract sensitive information. Therefore, the essence of social engineering lies in its approach of influencing people, making the manipulation of individuals into revealing confidential information the most accurate definition.