Social engineering is simply psychological manipulation in the digital world. Attackers pretend to be someone you trust, create fake emergencies, or spark your curiosity to trick you into clicking links, sharing information, or taking actions, you normally wouldn’t. They use human psychology—not complex hacking—to gain access to our systems.
Common Tricks to Watch for:
- Phishing: “Your account is locked—click here to fix it.”
- Impersonation: “Hi, I’m from IT. Can you confirm your login?”
- Tailgating: Someone follows you through a secure door without using their own badge.
- Baiting: Finding a USB labeled “Confidential” left in the conference room.
- Urgency Scams: “Payroll error—send your Social Security Number immediately!”
Do:
- Verify before trusting—especially urgent requests
- Slow down—scammers rely on panic and rushed decisions
- Think twice before clicking links or downloading attachments
- Stay informed and report suspicious activity
Don’t:
- Don’t assume someone is legitimate just because they sound confident
- Don’t click unknown links or download suspicious files
- Don’t share passwords or PINs, even with someone claiming to be from IT
- Don’t skip security training—it’s your best protection
Your Role Matters
Social engineering thrives when we’re distracted or too trusting. When in doubt, verify. When suspicious, report to InfoSec@republicservices.com.
Thank you for helping to keep Republic Services cyber safe.
Register for Cyber Safety Campaign Webinar!
The Cybersecurity team has partnered with Coveware to deliver a special webinar: “Human Firewall: Holding the Line at the First Point of Entry.” The webinar will be held on Friday, October 24, at noon Arizona time. This session will enhance your ability to recognize and counter social engineering tactics in your everyday work.
Watch the video below to learn more about Social Engineering!