Defined term

Social Engineering

Social Engineering: Misleading users into providing information that can be used to compromise the security of a system.

Verified
🏆 High Consensus
Cybersecurity

Definition

Misleading users into providing information that can be used to compromise the security of a system. Usually low-tech. Social engineering of election officials includes emails and phone calls requesting infor- mation that can be used to spoof accounts or hack passwords.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

An attempt to trick someone into revealing information (e.g., a password) that can be used to attack systems or networks.

Source: Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015Type: standard
Definition 3

The practice of manipulating legitimate users to allow increased access to a system by an illegitimate user.

Source: March 2020 CSC ReportType: external
Definition 4

Misleading users into providing information that can be used to compromise the security of a system. Usually low-tech. Social engineering of election officials includes emails and phone calls requesting information that can be used to spoof accounts or hack passwords.

Source: EAC IT Glossary for Election OfficialsType: external
Definition 5

The use of deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information that may be used for fraudulent purposes

Source: NICCS GlossaryType: standard
Definition 6

An attempt to trick someone into revealing information (e.g., a password) that can be used to attack systems or networks. SOURCE: SP 800-61

Source: The Cyber GlossaryType: external

Sources

1
The State and Local Election Cybersecurity Playbook
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2
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
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3
March 2020 CSC Report
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4
EAC IT Glossary for Election Officials
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5
EAC Information Technology Terminology
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6
NICCS Glossary
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7
The Cyber Glossary
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