What does social engineering rely on to be successful?

Social engineering primarily exploits human weaknesses and the inherent tendency to trust others. This tactic relies on psychological manipulation rather than technical vulnerabilities or physical security measures. Attackers may impersonate a trusted individual or entity to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details. The success of social engineering techniques hinges on the ability to create a sense of urgency, fear, or trust, prompting individuals to act in ways that compromise their security.

While technical vulnerabilities can be exploited in more conventional cyber attacks, and strong physical security can deter unauthorized access, social engineering aims directly at the human element, making personal interactions and emotional responses the focal point of its strategies. Encryption methods, while crucial for protecting data, do not directly relate to the mechanisms that social engineers employ to manipulate individuals into compromising their own security.