Imagine this: A CFO receives a call from someone claiming to be their child’s school administrator. The caller knows the child’s name, the school they attend, and even the details of last week’s basketball game. Convinced by this familiarity, the CFO shares sensitive information that ultimately enables a fraudulent wire transfer. The entire attack was built on publicly available information, scraped from social media posts, local news, and professional networking sites.
This is the reality of modern social engineering. Threat actors no longer need to break into systems to compromise organizations; they exploit the information we willingly put online.
The Social Engineering Threat Landscape
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Unlike traditional hacking, which targets systems, social engineering targets human trust.
What makes today’s landscape particularly dangerous is the sheer volume of personal and professional information available online.
- Social media profiles reveal birthdays, family members, hobbies, and travel plans.
- Professional networks disclose job titles, reporting structures, and corporate initiatives.
- Public records expose addresses, property ownership, and even court filings.
- Data broker sites aggregate and sell detailed dossiers on individuals, often without their knowledge.
For executives, this exposure is magnified. Their visibility makes them prime targets for attackers who craft convincing pretexts to bypass security controls.
How Attackers Exploit Public Data
Threat actors use this information to launch highly tailored attacks. Here are three common scenarios:
1. Spear Phishing with Personal Hooks
An attacker sends an email to a CIO referencing their recent keynote speech, complete with a link to “conference photos.” Because the message feels authentic, the CIO clicks, unwittingly downloading malware that compromises the corporate network.
2. Pretexting and Vishing (Voice Phishing)
A fraudster calls an executive assistant, claiming to be from the company’s bank. They reference the executive’s alma mater and recent charity involvement, pulling details from LinkedIn and press releases to build credibility. The assistant, eager to help, provides account verification details that enable unauthorized access.
3. Business Email Compromise
Attackers impersonate a CEO by crafting emails that mimic their tone and reference recent travel plans posted on Instagram. The finance team, believing the request is legitimate, processes a fraudulent wire transfer.
These attacks succeed not because systems are weak, but because the authenticity of the information presented convinces humans.
The Hidden Risk: AI Chatbots and Oversharing
Another emerging risk is the use of AI chatbots. While these tools can be powerful for productivity, sharing sensitive corporate or personal information with them carries risk. Data entered into chatbots may be stored, used for training, or potentially exposed. Executives and staff must be cautious about what they disclose, primarily proprietary strategies, financial details, or personal identifiers.
What You Can Do Next
Reducing your digital footprint is the first line of defense. Here are practical steps individuals can take:
- Audit your online presence. Search for yourself on Google and review what’s publicly visible.
- Limit social media exposure. Avoid posting travel plans, family details, or sensitive work updates.
- Use privacy tools. Services like Incogni help remove personal data from broker sites, reducing the amount of information attackers can access.
- Be cautious with AI tools. Treat chatbot interactions like public forums. Never share sensitive or proprietary information.
- Enable multi-factor authentication. Even if credentials are compromised, MFA adds a critical layer of protection.
What CIOs Should Do
For CIOs and technology leaders, the responsibility extends beyond personal vigilance. Protecting the organization requires proactive education and policy enforcement, especially among the C-suite.
- Develop executive-focused training. Tailor security awareness programs to highlight the unique risks executives face. Use real-world scenarios to demonstrate how attackers exploit public data.
- Simulate attacks. Conduct controlled phishing and vishing exercises to test resilience and reinforce learning.
- Establish clear reporting channels. Ensure staff knows how to quickly escalate suspicious communications.
- Promote digital hygiene. Encourage executives to minimize exposure of personal information online and to leverage data removal services.
- Set policies for AI usage. Define guidelines for what can and cannot be shared with AI chatbots, ensuring sensitive data is protected.
Executives are high-value targets. Their authority to approve transactions and access sensitive systems makes them the crown jewels for attackers. CIOs must ensure they are not only aware of these risks but also actively practicing defensive behaviors.
Conclusion: Security Starts with Awareness
Social engineering thrives on trust, familiarity, and oversharing. In a world where personal and professional details are just a click away, attackers don’t need to break down firewalls; they exploit what we’ve already revealed.
For business leaders, especially CIOs and C-suite executives, the path forward is clear: Reduce your digital footprint, educate your teams, and treat personal information as a critical security asset.
The question isn’t whether attackers will use public data against you; it’s whether you’ll be prepared when they do. Proactive awareness and education are the best defenses. Start today, because tomorrow’s attack may already be in motion.
