No matter how much a company invests in antivirus software, firewalls, or advanced cybersecurity tools, social engineering can still slip through the cracks. Since these attacks don’t always require technical skill, they’re often underestimated — until it’s too late. The good news? Once you understand how social engineering works, you can take practical steps to protect your business and minimize the risk.
What are social engineering attacks, and how do they work?
Social engineering attacks are all about tricking people into handing over private info, such as passwords or bank details. Sometimes, it’s even about convincing someone to do something risky, whether it’s sending money or unlocking access to sensitive systems.
For example, an attacker might impersonate an IT technician, pressuring an employee to share login credentials under the guise of “fixing a system issue.” Or they might send an email that looks like it’s from a trusted partner, urging someone to click a malicious link.
Why do these tactics work? Simple. They prey on common human instincts — helpfulness, respect for authority, and a natural tendency toward trust. The effectiveness of social engineering lies in its ability to blend into normal, everyday scenarios, making scams harder to detect.
For small business owners, protecting against social engineering requires more than strong passwords or antivirus software. It calls for strategies that target the human side of security.
Key strategies to counter social engineering
There are several effective strategies to minimize the impact of social engineering attacks, or even prevent them entirely, such as:
Building employee awareness and training
Your first and strongest line of defense is your team. If your employees know how social engineering works and what red flags to watch for, they’re far less likely to fall victim. Invest in regular cybersecurity training sessions that include:
- Case studies to show employees how attacks happen.
- Practical examples of phishing emails, suspicious links, and scam tactics
- Interactive activities such as quizzes or phishing simulations that reinforce lessons
Training shouldn’t be a one-and-done event. Make it ongoing, engaging, and directly relevant to your business’s operations.
Establish clear communication protocols
Many social engineering scams rely on impersonation; a cybercriminal might pretend to be a coworker, supervisor, or vendor. Clear, consistent communication policies can help employees spot these tactics. For example:
- Verify unexpected requests through a secondary communication channel. Received a strange email? Locate the company’s official website or contact information and reach out to them directly to confirm the email’s legitimacy.
- Set specific rules for handling sensitive data or large transactions, such as requiring two-person verification.
- Create communications norms. For example, make it clear to all employees that passwords are never requested over email.
Use multifactor authentication (MFA)
Passwords alone aren’t enough to protect critical accounts. MFA works as a double lock on your digital door. Even if someone gets your password, they still need a second key — whether a texted code or a prompt from an authentication app — to get in.
MFA is easy to implement and acts as a powerful barrier, especially for high-risk systems, such as email, financial platforms, and file storage.
Keep software and systems updated
While social engineering attacks target people, they’re often combined with technical exploits, such as ransomware. If your software or systems are outdated, they become easy targets. Ensure all devices, applications, and operating systems stay updated, and enable automatic updates where possible. While it’s not a direct solution for social engineering, staying on top of updates strengthens your overall cybersecurity strategy.
Limit access to sensitive information
Does every team member need access to every file or system? Probably not. Give employees just the right amount of access — only what they need to do their jobs. Keeping it lean helps reduce risk and keeps sensitive information out of the wrong hands. If someone’s job changes, update their access rights immediately. Quickly disable departing employees’ accounts, preventing unauthorized access using their credentials.
Foster a security-first culture
Creating a secure workplace isn’t just about tools and rules — it’s about attitude. Employees should feel empowered to question suspicious requests, double-check details, and report anything that feels off. Here’s how to cultivate a security-first mindset:
- Encourage asking questions, even if they seem small or obvious.
- Normalize reporting potential threats without fear of judgment.
- Recognize and reward employees who follow security best practices.
Perform routine tests
Routine testing ensures your strategies work and helps identify vulnerabilities. Run simulated phishing exercises to evaluate employee responses. Use the results to refine and enhance future training programs and policies, making tailored adjustments and informed recommendations.
Maintain regular monitoring
Regularly review access logs for signs of unusual or suspicious activity, such as unexpected fund transfers or unauthorized file access during non-business hours. These may signal either a person responding to a phishing attempt or an individual who has successfully used phishing tactics to obtain login credentials.
To further protect your business from social engineering attacks and other cyberthreats, contact Refresh Technologies. We work with non-tech-savvy business owners to create practical, effective cybersecurity plans that tackle both the human and technical sides of security. Reach out to us today, and let’s work together to create a safer future for your business.