@article{ART003370685},
author={Woo Jin Jung and Ah Reum Kang},
title={A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering},
journal={Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information},
issn={1598-849X},
year={2026},
volume={31},
number={8},
pages={63-72}
TY - JOUR
AU - Woo Jin Jung
AU - Ah Reum Kang
TI - A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering
JO - Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information
PY - 2026
VL - 31
IS - 8
PB - The Korean Society Of Computer And Information
SP - 63
EP - 72
SN - 1598-849X
AB - The emergence of large language model (LLM)-based generative artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming social engineering attacks by enabling large-scale automation, extreme personalization, and context-aware persuasion. As a result, such attacks can no longer be explained solely by user carelessness but increasingly exploit inherent vulnerabilities in human cognition. This paper reconceptualizes LLM-based social engineering as a problem of cognitive vulnerability amplification, in which linguistic naturalness, authority cues, contextual dependence, and cognitive overload are systematically leveraged to manipulate decision-making. To address this shift, we propose a cognitive-aware security framework that moves beyond content-based detection and focuses on protecting user decision processes through interaction-level analysis and decision-point intervention. Through structured analysis and a case study, we discuss the limitations of conventional security models and highlight the need for a human-centric defense paradigm in the era of generative AI.
KW - Large Language Models;Social Engineering Attacks;Human Cognitive Vulnerabilities;Cognitive-Aware Security
DO -
UR -
ER -
Woo Jin Jung and Ah Reum Kang. (2026). A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering. Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information, 31(8), 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung and Ah Reum Kang. 2026, "A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering", Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information, vol.31, no.8 pp.63-72.
Woo Jin Jung, Ah Reum Kang "A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering" Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information 31.8 pp.63-72 (2026) : 63.
Woo Jin Jung, Ah Reum Kang. A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering. 2026; 31(8), 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung and Ah Reum Kang. "A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering" Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information 31, no.8 (2026) : 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung; Ah Reum Kang. A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering. Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information, 31(8), 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung; Ah Reum Kang. A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering. Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information. 2026; 31(8) 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung, Ah Reum Kang. A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering. 2026; 31(8), 63-72.
Woo Jin Jung and Ah Reum Kang. "A Cognitive-Aware Security Framework for LLM-Based Social Engineering" Journal of The Korea Society of Computer and Information 31, no.8 (2026) : 63-72.
