What Is Social Engineering Testing?
Social engineering testing is an authorised assessment of how your people and processes respond to deception. CyberLab’s consultants use the techniques real attackers use, including phishing emails, phone calls, invented identities and attempts to walk into your buildings, then record who engaged and where your controls held.
Attackers favour these routes because they are cheap and they work. In the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026, phishing was the most common type of breach or attack, affecting 38% of UK businesses. Of the businesses that experienced a breach or attack, 69% named it the most disruptive type.
Technical testing looks for flaws in software and configuration. Social engineering testing looks at behaviour: whether staff verify a caller or challenge a stranger in a corridor. The results show where awareness, process or physical controls need work.
Why Choose CyberLab for Social Engineering Testing?
CyberLab is trusted by over 1,200 organisations across the UK to secure their operations, systems and data.
Our Accreditations
As a CREST and CHECK-accredited provider, trusted by 1,200+ organisations including NHS Trusts, local authorities and enterprise businesses, we test the human layer with phishing, vishing, pretexting and physical entry scenarios, led by consultants with over 15 years of experience.
Traditional Cyber Attacks vs Social Engineering
ISO 27001 is a globally recognised framework for managing information security risks. While penetration testing is not explicitly required, it plays a crucial role in meeting the standard’s risk assessment requirements by identifying weaknesses in systems and strengthening security controls.
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Efficiently unleash cross-media information without cross-media value. Quickly maximize timely deliverables for real-time schemas. Spectacular maintain clicks-and-mortar solutions without functional solutions.
Social Engineering Testing and Compliance
Related Services
Penetration Testing
Technical testing of your networks, applications and infrastructure, often run alongside social engineering to cover both technology and people.
Red Teaming
A full attack simulation pursuing an agreed objective across your people, process and technology, where social engineering is one entry route.
Tabletop Exercises
A facilitated session combining phishing simulations, a live hack demonstration and a HackRisk scan, with an executive report and action plan.
Security Awareness Training
HackRisk’s security awareness training can help staff recognise and report the tactics used in social engineering tests and build better habits.
Social Engineering Case Study: Tailgating into a Client's Office
During a Red Team engagement, the team studied staff behaviour and entry protocols. Using this intel, a tester posed as an employee on a phone call and tailgated through a side entrance for Cycle to Work users.
When challenged by security, a quick flash of a fake pass and confident demeanour secured access. Inside, the tester shadowed an employee into a keycard lift, then discovered another lift that bypassed security barriers. Coordinating with a colleague, they used this route to reach the main lobby and then an office floor by joining employees in lifts and engaging in casual conversation. Once inside, they booked a meeting room as a base of operations.
This exercise proved how social engineering tactics – tailgating, confidence, and exploiting trust – can defeat strong physical security. The client was briefed on these vulnerabilities and advised on tightening protocols and staff awareness.
What Our Customers Say
Feedback from organisations across healthcare, manufacturing, education, retail, digital start-ups and local government. Ask Steve whether any client would give a social engineering or red team quote.
Clinical systems, legacy infrastructure, patient portals, third-party suppliers.
“Having used CyberLab before in a previous Head of IT role, I had no hesitation in engaging them again to assist us with our security needs. Simply, I wouldn’t use them if they didn’t consistently deliver value.”
– Head of IT, NHS Trust
OT/IoT, production systems, cloud-connected machinery.
“CyberLab’s expertise in safeguarding our organisation against evolving cyber threats has been instrumental in protecting our reputation and maintaining our competitive edge. Their tailored solutions give us the confidence to focus on growth, innovation, and excellence.”
– Phil Ord, Managing Director, FMUK
Identity-heavy estates, ageing systems, safeguarding- sensitive data.
“CyberLab are always there to help. Being able to pick up the phone or email and have access to a dedicated account manager who is always there to assist provides excellent value for us. Not only when it comes to renewal but also throughout any period of the contract, CyberLab are able to support and provide guidance.”
- Simon Hobdell, Technical Team Leader, Buckinghamshire Council
Digital platforms, supply chain risks, customer data, payments compliance.
“Working with CyberLab has greatly enhanced our cyber security posture. Their proactive approach and tailored solutions have strengthened our defences, ensuring our customer data and operations remain secure. The 24/7 support and expert guidance from their team have been invaluable, allowing us to focus on serving our customers with confidence and peace of mind.”
– Tim Thompson, Operations Director, Sealey Group
Websites and applications, innovative solutions and customer data.
“CyberLab’s team thoroughly and efficiently supported us in bringing best practice to our security processes. With a consultative approach, they guided us to modify and improve our existing processes to make Delvify a more robust and more secure organisation.”
– Charles Allard, Founder of Delvify
Public services, critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
“We needed to find a way to meet very tight budget constraints. Of the suppliers we spoke to, only CyberLab demonstrated what we felt was a genuine desire to engage with us to reach a workable solution for both parties. I’d recommend CyberLab not just for their expertise in the whole cybersecurity area, but for their personalised and professional approach.”
- Mark Smith, Server Support Manager, Nottingham City Council
What is your HackRisk score?
We scan your external attack surface and deliver a board-ready report with your risks and remediation advice, free of charge, within 24 hours.
Dark Web Scanning
Vulnerability Scanning
Recon Scanning
Supply Chain Security
FAQs:
Social engineering testing is an authorised simulation of the tactics attackers use to manipulate people, including phishing emails, phone calls, invented identities and physical entry attempts. It measures how your staff and processes respond and reports where to improve. CyberLab’s CREST and CHECK-accredited consultants deliver it on its own or as part of a Red Teaming engagement.
We test phishing, vishing (phone calls), pretexting (an invented identity and story) and physical intrusion, which covers tailgating and impersonation. Each engagement is tailored to your organisation, and the methods in scope are agreed during planning.
Penetration testing looks for technical weaknesses in systems, networks and applications. Social engineering testing looks at people and process: whether staff verify a caller, spot a fake login page or challenge a stranger. Many organisations run both, because attackers use whichever route is easier.
No. Red teaming is a full, objective-led attack simulation covering people, process and technology, usually without defenders being told. Social engineering testing is narrower and focuses on the human layer. It can run on its own or form one part of a red team engagement.
A phishing simulation is one method within social engineering testing. Social engineering testing also covers phone calls, pretexting and physical entry, and CyberLab builds its scenarios from open-source research on your organisation.
Usually only a small group, such as a senior sponsor and your security lead, knows in advance, so staff behave normally. We agree who is told, and the rules of engagement, during scoping.
Yes. Physical attempts happen only with your organisation’s written authorisation and agreed rules of engagement, so a tester has proof of permission if they are stopped by security or the police.
A report that sets out what we found, ranked by importance, with recommended actions. It includes an executive summary and an attack narrative that explains the technical risk in business terms. Your CyberLab consultant can present the findings to your stakeholders.
The duration depends on the methods in scope and the size of your organisation. A phishing campaign needs less time than an engagement that adds phone calls and site visits. We confirm timescales during scoping.
Many organisations test at least once a year, and again after changes that affect people or process, such as a restructure, a move to a new office or a new email platform.
It gives evidence for ISO 27001 controls on awareness and physical entry, the PCI DSS v4.0 requirement for training that covers phishing and social engineering, DORA’s training requirements and the Engagement and Training step of the NCSC 10 Steps to Cyber Security.
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