What is social engineering in the context of cybersecurity?

In the context of cybersecurity, social engineering refers to the psychological manipulation of individuals to obtain confidential or sensitive information. This technique exploits human behavior rather than relying on technical hacking methods. The goal is often to trick individuals into providing personal information, such as passwords or financial details, or to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks.

Understanding this concept is vital for cybersecurity awareness, as many breaches result from social engineering tactics rather than direct attacks on systems. Training individuals to recognize and respond to these manipulations is a key component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. The other options, while related to cybersecurity, do not capture the essence of social engineering, which fundamentally relies on the interaction between people rather than on technical safeguards or measures.