When we think of hackers, we tend to think of technological prodigies who use advanced programming to complete rogue missions of espionage, disruption, and theft. And while that view is often correct, the rise of social engineering has ushered in a new wave of cyberattacks that are technologically sophisticated but intentionally benign in their execution. Social engineering seeks to manipulate the most vulnerable part of any cybersecurity plan—people. It’s more than a simple con; it's an intricate and pervasive threat that's shaping the digital landscape in new and unexpected ways. 

Cyberattacks are a serious threat to nearly every industry, but some are at greater risk because they manage high-value data, such as personal information, financial records, or intellectual property. Cybercriminals look to steal and sell this data on the dark web or use it for fraud, extortion, or sabotage. 

For cybersecurity professionals, staying a step ahead of attackers is a significant challenge. One of the most powerful tools in cybercriminals’ arsenal is exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, which are concealed from the very developers who create and are responsible for defending against them. When these vulnerabilities are exploited by attackers, user data, company secrets, and government intelligence can be placed at significant risk.