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Why social engineering is still the top cybersecurity threat – and what to do about it (By Anna Collard)

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2 years ago

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Social engineering

Almost 70% of data breaches involve the human element; Here’s how organisations can keep their most vital assets – their employees, their finances and their data – safe from scammers

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 21, 2024/APO Group/ — 

By Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA (www.KnowBe4.com).

Social engineering remains the most pervasive form of cyberattack for one reason – humans are easier to hack into than most machines. Exploiting our psychological, personality or behavioural weaknesses, cybercriminals can dupe us to get unauthorised access to systems or gain financial rewards by deceiving their victims. Social-engineering attacks can be carried out through various channels, including emails (phishing), phone calls, SMSs, social media, chat apps, gaming platforms, and video conferencing.

The main reason social engineering is so effective is that it keeps evolving. There isn’t a clear or consistent pattern, meaning that, like the attacks themselves, we need to keep adapting in our response to them. We can’t rely on technology alone to help us because of the human element involved in social engineering. Moreover, the rapid advance of artificial intelligence has significantly altered the digital landscape. The rise of deepfakes, convincingly real images and videos artificially generated, has further exacerbated the potential for misinformation and manipulation.

Tools of the trade

Scammers excel at exploiting human emotions and cognitive biases to achieve their goals. They often use impersonation, where they gain your trust by pretending to be someone familiar or instilling fear, prompting you to act impulsively. This tactic is particularly effective, as it can lead you to make quick decisions, like clicking on a link or sharing sensitive information. Another common strategy is creating a sense of urgency or using the principle of scarcity to pressure you into taking immediate action. Finally, they may also leverage the concept of authority, posing as a figure of authority to manipulate you into compliance.

If you analyse the data, certain personality types and demographics are more prone to social-engineering threats than others. For instance, those who are easily distracted and impulsive may be easier to fool than others. Those who are sleep-deprived, stressed, and constantly multitasking may also fall prey to scams quicker than those who are calmer, attentive, and attuned to their own inner state.

Companies need to invest in the right cybersecurity training, cultivating a human-centric security culture and mindful security practices

These tactics have huge implications for businesses. The most obvious consequence of social engineering attacks is financial loss to your organisation, data breaches in which sensitive information is stolen, privacy violations, and potential business disruptions. The effect of a major security breach can be devastating to a company’s reputation, eroding customer trust and possibly leading to legal liabilities.

Defending your organisation

Given that the stakes are so high, what can organisations do to protect themselves from social engineering attacks?

Firstly, there are technological solutions to consider, such as email filters, which can detect and block phishing attempts before they reach employees. Phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication is also a good idea as it adds a layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access. Companies can also implement user-behaviour analytics to monitor and analyse employees’ activities to detect anomalies that could indicate a compromised account.

But technology alone is not enough. Companies need to invest in the right cybersecurity training, cultivating a human-centric security culture and mindful security practices.

In my research, I’ve demonstrated that the validated benefits of mindfulness can positively impact 23 out of 33 identified factors that make humans vulnerable to social engineering, including cognitive, psychological, behavioural, and situational factors. A mindful approach promotes a deeper level of awareness, encouraging employees to avoid multi-tasking and pause to notice their internal and external environment before reacting. It also develops key mental attributes, such as concentration, resilience, self-regulation and clarity.

For this to happen, a transformative shift in organisational culture is needed, fostering intentional slowing down, with executive support promoting employee wellbeing over immediacy. Integrating mindfulness concepts into training programmes, such as emotional phishing awareness training for frequent clickers and advocating a zero-trust mindset, can help enhance cybersecurity campaigns and awareness efforts.

To find out more on how to implement this approach, read the full research paper here (http://apo-opa.co/4f9ysC9).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

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Dongfeng Motor’s 10th Science and Technology Innovation Week and 1st User Lifestyle Festival Kick Off in Wuhan

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1 hour ago

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September 24, 2026

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Dongfeng

Over the course of ten editions spanning a decade, Dongfeng Motor’s Science and Technology Innovation Week has further strengthened the connection between technology and users

WUHAN, China, September 24, 2026/APO Group/ –On September 14, Dongfeng Motor’s (​http://www.Dongfeng-Global.com/) 10th Science and Technology Innovation Week and 1st User Lifestyle Festival kicked off in Wuhan. With the theme “ Wind from the East, Creating a Smart Life,” the event showcased the innovative achievements of a Chinese automaker in intelligent and green mobility, as well as its global expansion.

 




 
 

At the opening ceremony, Dongfeng Motor unveiled the “Sky-Clean Zero-Carbon” Plan, the Embodied Intelligent Vehicle All-Domain Protection Plan, and the “Sky Horizon Voyage” Plan. Among them, the “Sky-Clean Zero-Carbon” Plan leverages the “1331” framework to build an integrated vehicle-energy ecosystem, aiming to achieve more than 1 million tonnes of coordinated carbon reduction annually and promote the transformation of automobiles into mobile energy assets; the Embodied Intelligent Vehicle All-Domain Protection Plan adopts a “1+6+4” technology system to establish a new paradigm for all-domain vehicle safety in the era of embodied intelligence; the “Sky Horizon Voyage” Plan establishes a “125” global business strategy, with plans to invest RMB 50 billion and launch more than 50 vehicle models, while striving to achieve overseas sales of 1.5 million vehicles by 2030.

 

Over the course of ten editions spanning a decade, Dongfeng Motor’s Science and Technology Innovation Week has further strengthened the connection between technology and users. At Dongfeng Motor’s 1st User Lifestyle Festival, more than 240 owner representatives from its various brands gathered in Wuhan. Dongfeng also launched the “Dongfeng Youxin” service brand for its broad user base, establishing a full-lifecycle user service system.

On the same day, the 72nd International Commercial Vehicle and Parts Exhibition opened in Hannover, Germany. Three Dongfeng hydrogen-powered vehicles and a 400-kilowatt fuel cell making its global debut are on display at Booth C20 in Hall H12.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

 

 




 

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Global Mayors Dialogue in Wuhan focuses on urban innovation and cooperation

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8 hours ago

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September 24, 2026

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The Global Mayors Dialogue

WUHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – The Global Mayors Dialogue · Wuhan and the 2026 Wuhan International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference, held from Sept. 18 to 21, brought together 80 international guests from 24 cities across 22 countries, according to organizers.

At the event, mayors and city representatives from six international sister cities of Wuhan called for closer cooperation in technology, industry, education and culture.

Representatives from Manchester in Britain, Kemi in Finland, Cape Town in South Africa, Yangon in Myanmar, Rzeszów in Poland and Turkistan in Kazakhstan took part in discussions on urban innovation, industrial cooperation and cultural exchange.
 




 
Manchester: a new start after 40 years of friendship

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Wuhan and Manchester.

Shaukat Ali, lord mayor of Manchester, said the city was ready to deepen cooperation with Wuhan in education, culture, youth affairs, innovation and industry.

“Manchester is committed to promoting urban transformation through open cooperation, sharing opportunities, and fostering common development with international sister cities like Wuhan,” he said.

Ali said Manchester had developed from a post-industrial city into an innovation-oriented economy, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, life sciences and green technologies.

He said the two cities could share experience in urban transformation, innovation districts, university-industry cooperation and low-carbon development, while encouraging links among universities, businesses and research institutions.

He also highlighted existing educational and cultural links, including cooperation between Hubei University and Manchester Metropolitan University and exchanges between the Royal Northern College of Music and Wuhan Conservatory of Music.

Kemi: balancing growth with environmental protection

Mikko Koivulehto, chairman of the City Council of Kemi, said the Finnish city sought to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

“We believe that protecting nature and building a prosperous city can go hand in hand,” he said.

Kemi, a port city in Finnish Lapland, has developed industries based on renewable raw materials, clean energy and the bioeconomy. The city is also seeking to expand tourism and improve livability.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the friendly exchange relationship between Wuhan and Kemi. The two cities have cooperated in areas including trade, the circular economy, tourism and youth exchanges.

Cape Town: technology and jobs key to urban transformation

Lungelo Mbandazayo, city manager of Cape Town, said technological innovation, talent development, infrastructure and green renewal were key to Wuhan’s transformation.

Cape Town, a UNESCO City of Design, is seeking to expand its technology and digital sectors while promoting green technology and an inclusive economy.

Mbandazayo said youth unemployment remained a major challenge for Cape Town and that technological development needed to create jobs.

After visiting Wuhan companies and technology facilities, he said Cape Town hoped to deepen exchanges with Wuhan in technology and talent.

Yangon: seeking practical cooperation with Wuhan

Yangon Mayor Myo Myint Aung said the city was looking to Wuhan for experience in smart-city development, digital governance, intelligent transport and urban resilience.

Wuhan and Yangon signed a letter of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Yangon is developing a long-term plan to accommodate population growth and expand its urban, industrial and transport infrastructure.

During a visit to Wuhan on Sept. 19, Myo toured the Optics Valley “Photon” suspended monorail, HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory.

“We came to Wuhan not just to observe, but to learn and cooperate,” he said, adding that Yangon hoped to develop smart manufacturing and strengthen cooperation in information technology.

Rzeszów: opportunities in aerospace and technology

Rzeszów Mayor Konrad Fijołek said the Polish city hoped to cooperate with Wuhan in aerospace, sensor technology, biodiversity and climate action.

Rzeszów is home to the “Aviation Valley,” a major aerospace cluster in Central Europe.

“Exploring cooperation with Wuhan is the reason I came here,” Fijołek said.

After visiting HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory, he said Wuhan’s automated manufacturing and technologies in sensors and satellite systems had impressed him.

He said cities could help connect universities, businesses and research institutions and promote international cooperation.

Turkistan: five areas for cooperation

Turkestan Mayor Azimbek Pazylbekuly said his city hoped to expand cooperation with Wuhan in tourism and culture, education and science, investment and entrepreneurship, digitalization and innovation, and transport and logistics.

Wuhan and Turkistan signed a memorandum of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Turkistan, an ancient Silk Road city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been developing industries including food processing, textiles, furniture and construction materials.

Pazylbekuly said cooperation between governments, businesses, universities and research institutions could help turn the two cities’ exchanges into concrete projects.

The conference also included friendship-city anniversary celebrations and a signing ceremony for 10 cooperation projects. A digital list of cooperation opportunities and an initiative on international friendship-city cooperation were released.

During their stay, the visiting mayors toured Wuhan’s technology, manufacturing and ecological facilities, including the Optics Valley suspended monorail, a Yangtze finless porpoise conservation center, Xiaomi, HGTECH and Dongfeng Motor facilities.
  




 

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Business

Binance Invests $100 Million in Circle, Expands Strategic Partnership and Renews for Five Years

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 24, 2026

By

Binance

New five-year agreement focuses on promotion of USDC globally

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com) today announced a $100 million equity investment in Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL) and the expansion and renewal of its strategic partnership to promote USDC across Binance’s global platform. The new arrangement has a term of five years.

Together, we see incredible opportunities to leverage USDC to expand dollar access, support savings and investment with innovative digital asset products

Under the expanded partnership, Binance will promote USDC across its global platform, especially in emerging markets. Circle will provide the infrastructure services that support holding and using USDC.

 




  

In connection with the partnership, Binance purchased $100 million worth of shares of Circle Class A common stock, through a private placement at a purchase price reflecting a five percent discount to the market price of CRCL prior to closing.

“Circle has earned its place as one of the most credible issuers in the world spanning USDC, Arc and the infrastructure reshaping how value moves across borders. Our $100 million investment and five-year commitment represent long-duration conviction,” said Richard Teng, co-CEO of Binance. “We are helping to build a more inclusive, transparent, and compliant digital economy. A stable, trusted digital dollar should not be a privilege–it should be available to anyone with a phone. That’s the future this partnership is designed to deliver.”

“Binance has built one of the largest and most dynamic platforms in the world for using digital currency, creating the internet’s largest financial super app, and becoming the most widely used wallets in the world for dollar stablecoins,” said Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle. “Together, we see incredible opportunities to leverage USDC to expand dollar access, support savings and investment with innovative digital asset products, and reach people and businesses throughout global emerging markets.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

 

 




 

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