Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

Who is the most likely target of social engineering?

1. Executive management, because it has the most permissions

2. Senior IT engineers, because the attacker hopes to get them to disable the security infrastructure

3. Junior people, because they are easier to stress and probably not as well trained

4. The accounting department, because it can wire money directly to the attacker's account

The correct answer is: Junior people, because they are easier to stress and probably not as well trained

The most likely target of social engineering is often junior employees, as they tend to be less experienced and might not be as well-equipped to recognize or respond to manipulative tactics used by attackers. Such individuals may lack the training or awareness needed to suspect that a seemingly legitimate request, like sharing credentials or clicking on a malicious link, could be part of a manipulation attempt. Social engineering relies heavily on exploiting human psychology, and junior personnel may be more prone to stress and pressure, making them more susceptible to the instigator's tactics. They may feel the urgency to comply due to their position or inexperience, leading to a higher chance of falling victim to the scheme. While other options present valid targets for social engineering attacks, they generally involve more specialized knowledge or established protocols that may be harder to bypass. For instance, targeting executive management or senior IT engineers often requires in-depth research and sophistication that attackers might not always have at their disposal. Meanwhile, the accounting department, while a potential target for financial fraud, may involve more extensive verification processes that could deter immediate compliance compared to junior employees.