Page 46 - JDPA Volume 02, Issue 02

Journal of Defence & Policy Analysis Volume 02, Issue 02, December 2023

influences public perception and behaviour.

The effectiveness of social engineering is not predicated on exceptional technical
acumen. Rather, success in social engineering is intricately linked to the adept
application of manipulation, effective engagement, and proficient networking
skills, superseding dependence on advanced technical capabilities. The key lies
in a comprehensive understanding of the social context and strategic alignment
with the desired objectives on the ground.

In contemporary society, financial considerations underpin various facets, en-
compassing social and cultural domains. The nexus between financial dynamics
and societal shifts underscores the pervasive influence of economic factors. It is
crucial to acknowledge that initiatives, whether pertaining to social or cultur-
al transformations, often require political endorsement for efficacy. Navigating
these intricacies necessitates a nuanced understanding of the interplay between
financial, social, cultural, and political dimensions to facilitate meaningful and
sustainable change.

How do you protect yourself? It involves establishing a defensive mechanism by
creating an environment that encourages the individual’s active participation,
providing a designated space for them to enter, and allowing for a seamless inte-
gration into one’s personal sphere.

It pertains to the act of divulging sensitive information such as passwords, PIN
codes, or ATM card PIN codes. However, the transformative element lies in the
ability to exercise restraint and safeguard this information. This inherent ca-
pacity stems from the recognition of individual autonomy and sovereign rights,
which can be asserted and exemplified at any given juncture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, distinct phases emerged marked by varying be-
liefs, with instances where some individuals declined vaccination; such choices
were respected. However, when the safeguarding of national interest, security,
and health became imperative, it was deemed paramount. The decision was not
swayed by individual views but rather by the overarching need to address the
risk to national health security.

In order to protect ourselves, we need to know the protection or the security that
we have, What are the prosperities, what you can and how democratic the ap-
proach is all about and is it legal or is it anything which gives you progressive
development. So these are the factors that you should be working on to protect
yourself from manipulative social engineering.

In the twenty-first century, the term “illiterate” should not merely denote an in-
ability to read or write; rather, it should encompass a deficiency in the capacity
to engage in continuous learning, critical reading, unlearning, and subsequent

Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
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