8 New Social Engineering Books Reshaping the Industry in 2025

Unlike most social engineering books that focus narrowly on technical exploits, this work blends psychological insights with practical defense strategies to illuminate the human side of cybersecurity threats. Cesar Bravo, a prolific cybersecurity inventor and educator, draws on his extensive research and international teaching experience to unpack how attackers manipulate influence, empathy, and social networks to breach defenses. You’ll gain a nuanced understanding of the social engineering lifecycle, from OSINT methods to AI-enhanced tactics, equipping you to identify and counteract these evolving threats. This book suits cybersecurity professionals and decision-makers alike, especially those wanting to deepen their grasp of the psychological dynamics behind attacks rather than just the technology.

Josh Luberisse brings a cybersecurity practitioner's perspective to the complex psychology behind social engineering attacks in this focused guide. You’ll explore how attackers exploit principles like authority, scarcity, and emotional manipulation to deceive targets, while gaining hands-on knowledge of tools such as Metasploit and Cobalt Strike. The book digs into sector-specific threats in healthcare, finance, and government, offering targeted defensive strategies and ethical frameworks for offensive operations. If your work involves cybersecurity, especially red teaming or ethical hacking, this book will sharpen your understanding of the human vulnerabilities attackers exploit—and how to counter them.

This tailored book explores the latest developments and emerging knowledge in social engineering as of 2025, focusing on the newest tactics reshaping the field. It examines cutting-edge insights drawn from recent discoveries and research, matching your background and interests to help you stay ahead in this fast-evolving landscape. By concentrating on your specific goals and areas of curiosity, this personalized guide reveals advanced techniques and the dynamic psychological methods attackers and defenders are using today. This approach ensures you engage with content that is not only timely but also deeply relevant to your journey through the nuances of social engineering.

Rob Botwright’s Certified Ethical Hacker offers a detailed exploration of the skills needed to identify and counteract cyber threats, focusing heavily on the human factor through social engineering. You’ll learn practical reconnaissance techniques, advanced vulnerability analysis, and the subtle manipulations attackers use to exploit human behavior, such as phishing and impersonation. This book is particularly useful if you’re aiming to develop a well-rounded understanding of ethical hacking, combining technical and psychological strategies to safeguard systems. Those preparing for certifications or cybersecurity roles will find the structured progression through foundational to advanced topics especially beneficial.

Roger A. Grimes brings over three decades of cybersecurity expertise to this detailed guide, drawing on his role as a data-driven defense evangelist at KnowBe4. You’ll gain a full-spectrum understanding of phishing and social engineering threats, including how to implement layered defenses that combine policy, education, and technical measures. The book lays out practical methods to build a resilient security culture, with chapters dedicated to recognizing phishing tactics, deploying detection tools, and containing breaches effectively. If you’re responsible for protecting an organization or simply want to safeguard your personal data, this book offers a grounded approach without overpromising quick fixes.

What if the key to cybersecurity isn't just technology, but understanding human behavior? Oluwaseyi Akinseesin, a seasoned cybersecurity professional, delves into this very question by unraveling social engineering's nuances. You explore how manipulation exploits human vulnerabilities, tracing its roots from ancient tactics to today's cyber threats. The book offers detailed insights into psychological strategies behind attacks and teaches you to recognize and counteract them effectively. Whether you're a cybersecurity expert or simply curious about how social manipulation operates, this book equips you with a clearer perspective on the human factors shaping digital security.

This tailored book explores the rapidly evolving landscape of social engineering as it stands in 2025, focusing on the latest discoveries and emerging threats. It delves into cutting-edge tactics and psychological techniques that attackers are refining, while examining defense measures aligned with your specific interests and background. By offering a personalized exploration of the newest developments, this book reveals how social engineering exploits human vulnerabilities in fresh and unexpected ways. Tailored to address your goals, it provides an engaging learning journey through contemporary research and future trends, making complex concepts accessible and relevant to your unique perspective.

Ian Muthuri brings a fresh perspective to social engineering by dissecting the psychological triggers and cognitive biases that manipulators exploit. You’ll find detailed explorations of tactics like phishing, impersonation, and tailgating, supported by real-world case studies that reveal both successes and failures. The book goes beyond theory, offering practical defense strategies including awareness programs and technical countermeasures for individuals and organizations alike. If you want to understand not just how social engineering works but also how to build resilience against it, this concise guide lays out the essentials without fluff or jargon.

Mariusz C Matithjah draws on his extensive background in psychology and influence techniques to explore the nuanced realm of ethical social engineering. This book unpacks the historical roots of social engineering beginning with Wilhelm Wundt’s pioneering psychological experiments and extends into how these principles can be applied responsibly across fields like marketing, education, and public relations. You'll gain insight into the often misunderstood practice of social engineering, learning how to approach it with ethical intent and critical reflection rather than manipulation. The author also cautions against oversimplifying social problems with engineering models alone, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex societal challenges.

Axel Pétur Axelsson explores the shadowy fusion of ancient occult knowledge and modern social engineering tactics, revealing how hidden power structures have shaped societies throughout history. You’ll gain insight into the symbolic language and psychological manipulation wielded by elites to influence public perception, as detailed through chapters that traverse secret societies and political intrigue. This book suits those curious about the unseen forces behind social control, combining mythological storytelling with factual analysis to provoke critical thinking about mainstream narratives. However, if you prefer straightforward cybersecurity manuals, this philosophical and historical approach might feel abstract.