The Human Factor in Cybersecurity

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to promoting safer practices online and strengthening our collective digital resilience.

While cutting-edge technology continues to advance our defences, the human factor remains the most critical element of cybersecurity. Our psychology, daily decisions, and digital habits often determine whether cybersecurity holds or breaks.

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And today, the game has changed. The age-old advice of “don’t click” is no longer enough. With the rise of AI-driven threats, attacks have become more personalised, convincing, and adaptive than ever before. This makes awareness and human vigilance the frontline defence in cybersecurity.

Read our previous blog post: October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month

1. The Evolution of Social Engineering in the AI Era

At its core, social engineering is the art of manipulating people into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that compromise security. Instead of breaking through firewalls, attackers exploit human psychology—our trust, curiosity, or sense of urgency.

Learn more about social engineering: How to Recognize and Defend Yourself Against Social Engineering Attacks.

But today, these tactics have entered a new era. Artificial intelligence has weaponised social engineering by making attacks more convincing, scalable, and adaptive. With AI, cybercriminals can instantly craft messages that mimic human tone, personalise content using publicly available data, and even generate realistic voices or deepfake videos. What once required time and manual effort can now be launched at a massive scale.

Attackers are now leveraging trust, fear, and our natural desire to be helpful to bypass technical defences. Whether it’s a voice that sounds like a colleague, an urgent email from “the CEO,” or a perfectly worded message tailored to you, the battlefield of cybersecurity has shifted—placing the human factor firmly in the spotlight.

2. The New Wave of AI-Driven Attacks

AI is reshaping cybercrime. Attackers are now harnessing advanced tools to make their scams more believable, scalable, and harder to detect. Some of the most concerning trends include:

• Deepfake and Voice Cloning Scams

With only a few seconds of audio or video, attackers can create realistic deepfakes of a CEO, a colleague, or even a family member. These forgeries can be used to authorise fraudulent transactions, pressure employees into urgent actions, or emotionally manipulate victims. For a human, spotting the difference between real and fake in the moment can be nearly impossible.

• QR Code Phishing (Quishing)

The rise of “quishing” shows how attackers are adapting to bypass traditional defences. By embedding malicious links inside QR codes, cybercriminals can redirect victims to fraudulent websites without triggering standard email security filters. Because QR codes have become so common in daily life, people often scan them without a second thought, making this tactic especially effective.

• Highly Personalised Campaigns

Armed with AI-powered large language models (LLMs), attackers can now craft flawless, context-aware phishing emails that mirror real communication styles. Unlike the clumsy, typo-filled scams of the past, these messages are polished, professional, and tailored using data scraped from social media or public sources. The result is a level of personalisation that makes distinguishing fake from legitimate nearly impossible.

Learn more about phishing attacks: Protect Yourself from Phishing Attacks.

3. Proactive Strategies for the Modern User

Technology may evolve, but so can our defences. By adopting a proactive mindset and practising a few key habits, individuals can significantly reduce their risk against AI-driven threats.

• The Unbreakable Shield of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

One of the strongest tools available is multi-factor authentication (MFA). For high-value accounts—like email, banking, or workplace logins—MFA acts as a critical second layer of defence. Even if a password is stolen through a phishing attack or tricked out of someone by a deepfake, MFA can stop attackers in their tracks.

Learn more about What is 2FA and why you should enable it now.

• The Art of Verification

When faced with urgent or unusual requests, the best defence is to stop, pause, and think. Don’t rely solely on the channel where the request came in. Instead:

• Call the person back using a known, trusted phone number.
• Confirm through a different communication platform (e.g., text instead of email).
• Double-check details before taking action.

Verification doesn’t just block attackers—it builds a culture of security awareness.

• Continuous Learning

Cybersecurity is not a one-time checklist—it’s a continuous process. Threats evolve, and so must our awareness. This October, during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, commit to regular learning. Stay informed about the latest scams, attend security trainings, and share knowledge with peers. Staying ahead of attackers means staying informed.

Read more on cybersecurity topics, different sorts of cyber attacks and how to protect yourself:

• Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
• What is Malware and How to Protect Yourself Against It?
• How Can You Protect Yourself Against Ransomware Attacks?
• The Dangers of Password Database Breaches and the Importance of Preventive Measures
• How to Prevent, Identify, and Respond to DDoS Attacks: A Complete Guide
• How to Defend Against Sophisticated Password Attacks

The key takeaway is simple yet powerful: modern cybersecurity is a mindset. Technology plays a vital role, but it is our awareness, habits, and choices that ultimately determine our safety online.

Yes, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated—fuelled by AI and designed to exploit human psychology. But the good news is that simple, proactive steps—like enabling MFA, verifying requests, and staying informed—can make a profound difference.

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Cybersecurity is not just the responsibility of IT teams or security professionals—it’s a shared responsibility. Each of us plays a role in protecting our digital lives and the communities around us. This October, let’s go beyond awareness and commit to action. Stay vigilant, share what you’ve learned with friends and family, and make this Cybersecurity Awareness Month the starting point for stronger, smarter digital habits.  

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