Recognizing the profound impact of the internet on society, cybercriminals have been shifting their strategies to exploit human vulnerabilities through what is termed 'cyber Social engineering'. Cyber Social engineering, in essence, manipulates innocent internet users into confirming or disclosing their confidential information.

Quite surely, the information age has brought exponential growth and development, yet it has also opened the gateway to a progressively convoluted world of cybercrime. Often, the attackers who deploy cyber Social engineering put to use a variety of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to trick victims. This intricate landscape demands an in depth understanding of the world of cyber Social engineering to efficiently combat it.

Understanding Cyber Social Engineering

The very essence of cyber Social engineering is its ability to trick people into revealing confidential information, usually sensitive in nature, such as financial details, login credentials, and so on. It manipulates the fundamental human inclinations of trust and fear to achieve this objective.

There are several forms of cyber Social engineering that attackers utilize including phishing, pretexting, baiting, quid pro quo, and tailgating. Other increasingly popular techniques include spear phishing, whaling, and vishing, which exploit personal connections and trust within the social sphere. Although these forms may appear distinct, they often overlap and work in synchrony in the world of cyber Social engineering.

The Tactics of Cyber Social Engineering

Understanding the tactics employed in cyber Social engineering is key to not falling prey to such attacks. It's remarkable how the human mind can easily be deceived once trust has been exploited. Be it impersonation, baiting, or any other tactic, each strategy preys on the human predilection for trust.

Impersonation, or posing as someone else, is an age-old practice. Yet, with a cyber twist, this tactic can reap devastating results. Hackers often masquerade as trustworthy entities, thereby tricking victims into a false sense of security, and consequently divulging information. The credibility of a person or institution, therefore, becomes the hacker's best asset in the game of cyber Social engineering.

Baiting is another prevalent tactic. Here, a cyber Social engineering attacker lures victims using something enticing. This could be a too-good-to-be-true offer or uncanny discounts where victims end up sharing sensitive data.

Techniques Deployed in Cyber Social Engineering

Moving beyond mere tactics, the attackers exploit a plethora of techniques in their cyber Social engineering arsenal. Phishing, smishing, whaling are just a few in the vast ocean of deception. Let's delve deeper to understand the magnitude of the situation.

Phishing is a widely known and commonly exploited technique. It usually involves sending fraudulent emails that seem to come from reputable sources. The objective here is to induce the victim into revealing sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and so on.

Smishing, or SMS phishing, is another technique where text messages are used instead of emails. These messages dupe victims into providing their personal information or installing malware on their devices.

In an instance of Whaling, the cyber Social engineering attacker targets high-profile individuals like CEOs and CFOs. The attackers often pose as these individuals to trick other employees into fraudulent financial transfers.

Procedures for Combatting Cyber Social Engineering

The procedures to tackle cyber Social engineering are geared towards affirming a robust defensive strategy. This involves a blend of education, awareness, security systems, and constant vigilance.

Effectively educating users about the different forms of cyber Social engineering and how these attacks work is a crucial first step. This helps individuals remain skeptical and be on their guard when they encounter unfamiliar or ambiguous requests.

Deploying advanced security systems and procedures that can identify, quarantine and neutralize threats in their initial stages plays an instrumental role in protecting against cyber Social engineering attacks.

Finally, remaining vigilant is non-negotiable. Cyber Social engineering is evolving at an alarming pace. Staying abreast of the latest developments, patterns, and trends in this sphere can be a decisive factor in thwarting cyberattacks.

In conclusion, cyber Social engineering continues to be a significant threat in our hyperconnected world. By understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures that define the landscape of cyber Social engineering, society can arm itself with enough knowledge to remain one step ahead of the cybercriminals. The ongoing battle between security and deception, in the end, is one of wits and vigilance.