Organizations rely heavily on their workforce to make daily decisions that affect the safety of data and infrastructure. But humans are fallible. We get busy, distracted, overconfident, or misinformed, and that’s all it takes to invite risk.
Cybercriminals are acutely aware of this vulnerability. Instead of trying to crack complex code or bypass sophisticated firewalls, attackers often find it easier to target human judgment. This could be as simple as sending a convincing phishing email, impersonating a vendor over the phone, or relying on employees to neglect updating critical software.
Human error becomes especially dangerous when paired with overconfidence in automated defenses. When staff assume that IT systems will “catch everything,” they’re less likely to scrutinize odd behavior, report concerns, or think twice before clicking on an unfamiliar link. That mindset can undo even the most expensive cybersecurity investment.