CUNA is now America’s Credit Unions. A stronger voice to advance the credit union industry.
By TraceSecurity
June 2023
In today's digital age, companies worldwide face a constant barrage of cyberthreats ranging from zero-day exploits to distributed denial-of-service attacks. While cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, they've also refined their attacks on the human element. Ever-increasingly, organizations have recognized the significance of proactive measures to address these evolving threats. One such measure is social engineering testing, a vital component of an effective cybersecurity posture.
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging sensitive information or granting unauthorized access to systems, networks or facilities. It exploits the human factor, often the weakest link in an organization's security posture. In addition, cybercriminals use tactics such as phishing, pretexting and impersonation to deceive their targets.
Both remote and onsite social engineering testing are crucial components of a robust security program. They help organizations test existing controls, identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their defenses against social engineering attacks.
Remote social engineering testing focuses on simulating attacks originating from outside the organization. Examples include phishing emails, vishing (voice phishing) calls, and malicious websites utilizing websites commonly visited by employees, also called watering holes. These tests mimic real-world scenarios to assess employees’ susceptibility to social engineering attacks. Additionally, as these tests are conducted remotely, organizations can better adapt service agreements to meet a higher testing frequency with minimal financial impact.
Key benefits of remote social engineering testing include:
Onsite social engineering testing simulates attacks initiated from within the organization. It focuses on vulnerabilities in physical security, internal systems and employee behavior. Examples include unauthorized access to restricted areas, tailgating and impersonating a colleague or service provider.
Key benefits of onsite social engineering testing include:
To learn more, connect with TraceSecurity.
TraceSecurity has provided over 30,000 examiner approved reports, helping credit unions of all sizes maintain compliance year after year. A CUNA Strategic Services provider since 2006, TraceSecurity helps credit unions with a range of cybersecurity services, including risk assessments, penetration testing and IT audits. With a combination of software and services, TraceSecurity can help credit unions manage their information security program and supplement it with third-party validation.