Speaker
Description
In the age of AI, social engineering (SE) attacks have become more sophisticated than ever. AI-generated deepfakes and flawlessly crafted phishing emails make it impossible to rely on familiar cues like voice, images, or writing styles. Yet traditional security awareness training still focuses on teaching users to spot specific signs—an approach that assumes rational, System 2 thinking. The reality? SE attacks succeed by exploiting emotional, reactive System 1 thinking, making existing training methods increasingly ineffective.
This talk introduces a different type of approach. Instead of relying on rule-based detection, we focus on meta-level awareness: teaching users the adversarial mindset so they understand how they’re being targeted and manipulated. Drawing on Cialdini’s principles of influence and incorporating mindfulness techniques, this approach equips users to pause, recognize emotional triggers, and respond rationally. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to build a resilient, human-centred defence against SE attacks.