AI and Social Engineering: Why Your Employees Are the First Line of Defense

By Virginia Fletcher, CIO

In the security world, we often assume that the greatest threats come from outside—sophisticated hackers, malware, and breaches that exploit technological vulnerabilities. But in reality, the most dangerous and difficult-to-defend attacks don’t target systems. They target people.

Social engineering has always been a powerful weapon in the cybercriminal’s arsenal, but AI has made it exponentially more effective. Scammers no longer need to rely on crude impersonation tactics when they can deploy AI-generated emails, deepfake voices, and synthetic videos that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. A well-crafted deepfake video can now show a CEO instructing an employee to process a financial transaction. An AI-generated voice call can sound exactly like a known executive, authorizing sensitive information to be shared. The sophistication of these attacks is escalating at an alarming pace.

What makes AI-powered social engineering so insidious is that it preys on human psychology, not just technology. Cybersecurity measures have long been focused on strengthening network defenses, encrypting data, and deploying firewalls. But AI-driven scams exploit trust, hierarchy, and human behavior in ways that cannot be countered through software alone.

This is why organizations must shift their mindset. Security is no longer just the responsibility of the IT department—it must be embedded into the culture of an organization. Employees at every level need to understand that verification is now a necessary part of daily operations. Any request—especially those involving financial transactions, sensitive data, or changes to standard procedures—must be scrutinized, even if it appears to come from a known and trusted source.

The best defenses against AI-driven fraud are simple but powerful: second-layer verifications, in-person confirmations, and structured approval processes that make deception more difficult. Organizations should train employees not just to recognize traditional phishing attempts but to question unexpected voice or video communications, even when they appear legitimate. If a directive comes in through an unusual channel, employees should be encouraged to validate it using an independent method.

For leadership, the responsibility extends beyond internal security. Organizations must work to build industry-wide resilience by sharing knowledge, collaborating on threat detection, and pushing for advancements in AI-driven fraud prevention. No single company can combat this threat alone. It will take a coordinated effort between businesses, policymakers, and technology providers to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated AI-driven scams.

The challenge is clear: as AI evolves, so too must our approach to security. In an era where deception is becoming easier and more convincing, organizations that foster a culture of scrutiny, verification, and awareness will be the ones that thrive.