How Social Engineering Tests Reveal the Weakest Links in Security

Belgrade, Serbia - September 25, 2025

Why testing human behavior is essential for real-world cyber resilience

Technical controls like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption are essential, but they cannot protect organizations from one of the most common attack vectors: human behavior. Attackers know that it is often easier to trick a person than to bypass a system. Social engineering exploits this fact, using deception to gain access to sensitive data or critical infrastructure.

Social engineering attacks take many forms: phishing emails, phone-based scams, impersonation, and even physical intrusions disguised as routine service calls. Each method targets trust and routine rather than software vulnerabilities. Without testing and training, organizations remain exposed to these low-cost but high-impact threats.

Infosec Assessors Group (IAG) designs controlled social engineering tests to simulate real-world attacks. These tests reveal how employees, contractors, and even executives respond under pressure. Do they click on a malicious link? Do they share sensitive details over the phone? Do they hold the door for an unauthorized visitor? The answers highlight where additional controls or awareness are needed.

CypSec complements these assessments with its Human Risk Management platform. Test results are translated into measurable risk scores, which are then tied directly to access control and training programs. High-risk individuals can be enrolled in targeted training, while policy enforcement ensures that risky behavior does not translate into unchecked system access.

"Technology alone cannot stop deception. Testing human responses lets us turn vulnerability into resilience," said Frederick Roth, Chief Information Security Officer at CypSec.

The combination of testing and automated controls closes the gap between awareness and enforcement. Employees not only learn about phishing, pretexting, and baiting but also experience these scenarios in safe, controlled settings. This builds resilience and reduces the chance of real-world compromise.

Importantly, social engineering tests go beyond compliance checkboxes. They measure organizational culture, accountability, and readiness in ways that technical audits cannot. Identifying weak links enables organizations to strengthen their defenses where it matters most: at the human layer.

For industries handling sensitive financial, health, or government data, the stakes are even higher. Regulators increasingly expect evidence that organizations not only deploy technology but also address human vulnerabilities. Social engineering testing provides this proof, backed by clear metrics and continuous improvement.

Through their partnership, Infosec Assessors Group and CypSec provide organizations with both the expertise and the tools to identify, measure, and reduce human risk. Together, they ensure that the "weakest link" in cybersecurity is continuously strengthened, turning people from a liability into a resilient defense layer.

About Infosec Assessors Group: Infosec Assessors Group (IAG) is a Serbian cybersecurity consultancy specializing in PCI DSS, ISO standards, penetration testing, and risk management. For more information, visit infosecassessors.com.

About CypSec: CypSec delivers enterprise-grade risk management, Policy-as-Code, and human risk solutions. Together with IAG, it helps organizations measure and mitigate vulnerabilities at the human layer of cybersecurity. For more information, visit cypsec.de.

Media Contact: Daria Fediay, Chief Executive Officer at CypSec - daria.fediay@cypsec.de.