When most people think of cyber threats, they imagine hackers cracking firewalls or writing malicious code. But some of the most damaging attacks don’t target technology – they target people.
Why Your Team Is the First Line of Defence – and the First Target
No matter how advanced your cybersecurity tools are, they can’t account for every human action. People bring stress, distractions and poor digital habits into the workplace – and attackers know it.
Fast facts:
- 95% of cybersecurity breaches involve human error (phishing clicks, password reuse, data mishandling)
- 98% of cyberattacks use some form of social engineering
- SME employees are 350% more likely to be targeted than those in large enterprises
These aren’t just statistics – they’re real risks for growing businesses.
The 4.55pm Trap: Timing Is a Social Engineer’s Best Friend
It’s 4:55 PM on a Friday. You’re mentally checked out. A call comes in from someone claiming to be IT support, urgently needing access to fix a system issue. Wanting to log off and start the weekend, your employee shares their login without checking credentials.
Sound unlikely? It’s one of the most common attack vectors.
Social engineers strike when staff are tired, distracted or under pressure – end of day, during holidays, or in high-volume periods. They rely on trust, helpfulness and urgency.
Train Your Team to Spot Cyber Threats Before They Become Costly Mistakes
Human error is the biggest threat to your cyber security, but it’s also the easiest to fix.
We partner with USecure to deliver automated, easy-to-understand security awareness training tailored for SMEs.
Build habits that protect your people, data and reputation.
Talk to us about cyber awareness training.
The Cost of a Moment’s Lapse
Social engineering attacks don’t just result in awkward moments – they can lead to full-blown breaches.
From impersonating staff to bypassing multi-factor authentication, to tricking helpdesks into resetting credentials, these attacks often work because they seem harmless.
For SMEs, the consequences can be business-critical:
- £100k+ in recovery costs on average
- Data loss, financial theft, and regulatory penalties
- 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyberattack
Cyber Security Is a Company-Wide Responsibility
Traditionally, IT teams are seen as the guardians of security, but when it comes to people-based attacks, HR and operations play a vital role too.
Here’s how every department can reduce human risk:
How to Defend Against Social Engineering Attacks
- Run regular phishing simulations
- Deliver ongoing security training across teams and locations
- Set clear policies for verifying access and sharing information
- Build JML (Joiners, Movers, Leavers) processes to manage permissions
- Encourage a no-blame culture where staff report suspicious behaviour confidently
Need help building awareness into your company culture?
Building a Human Firewall
Technology alone isn’t enough. True protection comes from aligning your people, policies and platforms.
At Dr Logic, we help SMEs close the gap between security systems and human behaviours – so your people become part of the solution, not the risk. We blend cyber protection, employee education, and policy development to help businesses defend against threats from every angle.
Because in cyber security, your people are both your strongest asset and your biggest vulnerability.
Ready to Reduce Your Human Risk?
Let’s build a security strategy that covers both your systems and your staff.
