In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash sits down with Chris Birch, an intelligence practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience, to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of social engineering. Chris's unique perspective comes from leading teams that actively engage with threat actors, turning the tables on those who typically exploit vulnerabilities.

Chris details how social engineering is simply human manipulation, a skill honed from birth. He explains how attackers leverage fear and greed, the fastest and cheapest ways to manipulate individuals. He also dives into how attacks have evolved, highlighting the dangers of increasingly sophisticated tactics like deepfakes and the blurring lines between legal and illegal applications of social engineering.

The conversation also explores the crucial role of organizational culture in cybersecurity. Chris emphasizes that awareness, not just education, is key to defense. He advocates for sharing threat intelligence widely within organizations and across industries, empowering everyone to become a sensor against social engineering attempts. Chris also shares a surprising personal fear, offering a lighthearted end to a serious discussion.