Social Engineering: How to Build Pressure-Proof Pretexts

Social Engineering: How to Build Pressure-Proof Pretexts

Most social engineering discussions focus on what to say. This workshop focuses on how to build pretexts that hold up when things go sideways. Alethe Denis, DEF CON Black Badge winner, shares the mindset and preparation behind resilient pretexts for physical red team engagements.

In this workshop, Alethe Denis, Senior Security Consultant II at Bishop Fox and DEF CON Black Badge-winning social engineer, shares how to build pretexts that can withstand real-world pressure during physical red team engagements.

Most social engineering discussions focus on what to say. This session focuses on how to create believable stories that hold up when faced with skeptical employees, unexpected questions, or situations that do not go according to plan.

Drawing from her experience in social engineering, physical security assessments, and offensive security operations, Alethe will discuss the mindset and preparation behind creating stronger, more resilient pretexts for real-world engagements.

This workshop is designed for red teamers, social engineers, OSINT practitioners, physical security professionals, and anyone interested in the human side of offensive security.

By the end of this session, viewers will have a better understanding of how experienced social engineers approach pretext building for physical red team engagements and why flexibility matters just as much as preparation.


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About the speaker, Alethe Denis

Senior Security Consultant

Alethe Denis is a Senior Security Consultant II at Bishop Fox specializing in red team social engineering, is always focused on giving back to the information and cybersecurity community, including her work conducting free Security Awareness Trainings and hosting workshops for people who want to get into the cybersecurity industry.

Alethe developed and owns Bishop Fox’s Tabletop Facilitation service line, designing realistic, scenario-driven exercises that help organizations stress-test their incident response capabilities.