The paradox of the digital era is that as technology grows more complex, it becomes less profitable for hackers to attack hardware or code. It is far cheaper and more effective to attack a person. The "human factor" is now the entry point for the majority of devastating cyberattacks.
The Psychology of Hacking: Why Do We Click?
Mykhailo Zborovskyi emphasises that the root of the problem lies not in the technical domain but in the psychological one. Today's attackers are not merely programmers — they are skilled manipulators and social engineers. They exploit fundamental human traits: curiosity, fear, greed, the desire to help, or simply fatigue.
When a security system becomes impenetrable, hackers look for workarounds. Why spend months searching for a zero-day vulnerability in software when you can simply call the receptionist, pose as an IT department employee, and ask for a password for an "urgent database update"?
Core behavioural vulnerabilities exploited by attackers:
- The illusion of urgency. Messages such as "Your account will be blocked in 10 minutes" disable critical thinking.
- Automated behaviour. In the flow of routine, employees often open email attachments without checking the sender's address.
- Excessive trust. People tend to believe messages that appear to come from management or well-known brands.
The Arsenal of Social Engineering
Attack methods are becoming increasingly personalised and sophisticated. Mykhailo Zborovskyi identifies several key threat vectors that target company employees specifically.
- Spear phishing (targeted phishing). Unlike mass spam campaigns, these emails are prepared individually. Hackers study the victim's social media, learn colleagues' names, project details, and communication style. Such a message is virtually indistinguishable from legitimate work correspondence.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC). Attacks in which fraudsters spoof senior executives' addresses to instruct accounting departments to transfer funds to fraudulent accounts.
- Baiting ("road apple"). A method in which attackers leave infected USB drives in offices or company car parks, counting on employees' curiosity to plug the device into a work computer.
An example of a company that takes a serious approach to countering these threats is Cosmobet. Operating in a field connected to finance and users' personal data demands the highest level of protection. At Cosmobet, they understand: a single antivirus is not enough. That is why they implement comprehensive strategies where technical protection goes hand in hand with the psychological preparation of staff.
A Culture of Security: The Cosmobet Approach
As Zborovskyi notes, simply prohibiting employees from using the internet or external storage devices is a dead end. It reduces business efficiency. The solution lies in raising digital literacy.
At Cosmobet, cybersecurity is integrated into corporate culture. This means that security is the responsibility not only of the IT department but of every team member — from intern to director.
Key protection principles that should become the standard:
- Regular attack simulations. Cosmobet employees periodically receive training phishing emails. This identifies who is prone to risky behaviour and allows for additional briefing — without waiting for a real breach.
- Cyber hygiene. Using strong, unique passwords and password managers, along with mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts.
- Zero Trust policy. Any request for data access or fund transfer must be verified, even if it originates from within the network.
Why Does Feedback Matter?
Mykhailo Zborovskyi highlights a critical aspect: companies must create an atmosphere in which employees are not afraid to report incidents. If a person accidentally clicks a suspicious link, they must know they will not be dismissed for the mistake — provided they immediately notify the security team. The speed of response often determines the scale of the damage.
Concealing errors out of fear of punishment is a gift to hackers, giving them time to establish a foothold in the system. Open communication and continuous training transform a workforce from a "weak link" into a "human firewall" — the first and most important line of defence.
Conclusion
Technology will continue to evolve, but human psychology remains constant. Mykhailo Zborovskyi is confident: in the near future, a company's ability to train its people and build the right habits will be the primary criterion of its resilience to cyber threats. The experience of brands such as Cosmobet proves that investing in employee knowledge pays back many times over — preventing losses and preserving reputation. Security does not begin with a server. It begins with awareness.
