Real World Social Engineering: What Actually Works

​Social engineering is one of the most effective tactics used by attackers today, yet it is often misunderstood or oversimplified. What actually works in real-world scenarios, and why do people still fall for it?

​In this episode of Simply Cyber Firesides, host Gerald Auger, Ph.D. is joined by Alethe Denis to explore how social engineering plays out in practice, beyond theory and textbook examples.

​Alethe brings extensive experience in offensive security and social engineering operations, with a focus on understanding human behavior, trust, and how attackers exploit both. Her work has helped organizations better understand their exposure and strengthen defenses against real-world manipulation techniques.

​🎯 In this Firesides Chat, you will learn:
• What social engineering looks like in real environments
• Tactics that consistently succeed and why
• Common assumptions that lead to failure in defenses
• How attackers build trust and bypass skepticism
• Practical ways organizations and individuals can reduce risk

​This session focuses on the human side of cybersecurity and offers practical insights that apply across roles, from technical teams to business leaders.

​Register now and get a reminder to attend and meet us in live chat!