Every October, organisations and individuals across the world mark Cyber Security Awareness Month, an initiative designed to strengthen our collective defences and improve digital resilience. In 2025, the campaign is placing a particular emphasis on social engineering. While ransomware, phishing and other attacks continue to dominate headlines, security leaders know that the human element remains at the core of the majority of breaches. This year is about confronting that reality and helping people recognise and resist manipulation online and offline.
Social engineering describes a range of tactics where cyber criminals manipulate people into giving up information, credentials or access rather than attacking technology directly. Instead of trying to break through a firewall, they exploit trust, fear, urgency or curiosity. Common examples include phishing emails that appear to come from a colleague, text messages impersonating a delivery service, fraudulent phone calls from “IT support”, or even someone tailgating into an office building. These attacks work because they feel plausible and are tailored to the victim’s environment, making them harder to detect than generic spam or malware.
Globally, social engineering remains one of the leading causes of data breaches. As attackers increasingly combine publicly available information with AI-generated content, their scams become more convincing and more personalised. A phishing email may now include accurate details about your role or recent activity, and a fake voice call may even mimic a trusted colleague’s tone.
When it comes to cyber attacks the last line of defence is almost always a person making a judgement call: whether to click a link, open an attachment, share credentials or approve a payment. With hybrid working, the rise of shadow IT, and more fragmented communication channels, the opportunities for deception are growing.
Focusing on social engineering also reflects an important cultural shift. In previous years, awareness campaigns often highlighted ransomware or phishing as discrete problems. This year the message is broader and more proactive: understand the psychology behind attacks, recognise the red flags, and adopt behaviours that make manipulation harder. That means training programmes going beyond basic phishing simulations and cover topics such as deepfakes, pretexting, baiting, impersonation and smishing. It also means encouraging a workplace culture where people feel comfortable questioning unusual requests and reporting suspicious activity without fear of blame.
For individuals, the emphasis this October is on developing scepticism and verification habits. If an email, text or phone call asks for sensitive information or urges immediate action, it should be treated with caution and confirmed through a separate, trusted channel. Learning to recognise the subtle cues of manipulation—such as unusual tone, spelling inconsistencies, or requests that bypass normal procedures—helps reduce risk. Multi-factor authentication remains an important safety net, but it works best when combined with vigilance.
At Integrity360 we believe that raising awareness is only the first step. People need practical, engaging resources to change behaviour and build lasting resilience. That’s why we have partnered with KnowBe4, a global leader in security awareness training, to bring a wide range of social engineering education materials to our clients and the wider community during Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025.
Through our dedicated landing page, organisations can access a curated collection of videos, blogs, webinars, infographics and brochures focused specifically on recognising and defending against social engineering attacks. These resources are designed to help employees at every level—from new starters to senior executives—understand how manipulation works and how to respond safely. The material covers real-world examples, step-by-step guidance on verification practices, and tips for building a security-minded culture.
By combining our own expertise in managed security services with KnowBe4’s market-leading training platform, Integrity360 can help organisations embed social engineering awareness into their everyday operations. This partnership enables businesses not only to meet their compliance requirements but also to strengthen their human defences in a practical, measurable way.
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 is a reminder that cyber security is not just about technology; it is about people. By understanding how attackers exploit human psychology, organisations and individuals can better protect themselves and their data. With the support of initiatives like Integrity360’s partnership with KnowBe4 and our comprehensive set of resources, companies can go beyond awareness to create a culture of vigilance and resilience. Social engineering will continue to evolve, but so can our defences. This October offers the perfect opportunity to renew that commitment.
You can explore our full range of social engineering resources—including expert blogs, bite-sized videos, in-depth webinars, an infographic and downloadable brochures—by visiting our Cyber Security Awareness Month landing page. Whether you are starting your awareness journey or looking to enhance an existing programme, these materials will help your organisation stay ahead of social engineering threats.
If you’d like to learn more about how Integrity360 can protect your organisation from social engineering threats get in touch with out experts.