For many organizations, social media still lives squarely in the marketing bucket. It is where brands share updates, promote events, and engage with customers. But from a cybersecurity perspective, social platforms have quietly become part of your attack surface.
Attackers no longer need to breach a firewall to cause damage. A compromised social media account can be just as effective, and sometimes easier, than a traditional network intrusion. Understanding the risks tied to social media is now a necessary part of a modern security strategy.
Social Media Account Takeovers and Brand Impersonation
Social media account takeovers are becoming increasingly common. Weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication, or shared credentials make it easy for attackers to gain access. Once inside, they can post scams, malicious links, or misleading messages that appear to come directly from your organization.
Brand impersonation is another growing issue. Attackers create lookalike profiles using your company name, logo, or leadership names to deceive customers, partners, or employees. These fake accounts are often used for phishing campaigns, fraudulent offers, or reputation damage, and many organizations do not realize it is happening until customers complain.
Why Admin Access and Governance Matter
One of the biggest social media security gaps is access control. Over time, social accounts often accumulate too many admins. Former employees, interns, contractors, or agencies may still have access long after their role has ended.
Without clear governance, it becomes difficult to know who can post, change passwords, or link third-party apps. This increases the risk of accidental exposure or intentional misuse. Limiting admin access to only those who truly need it, using role-based permissions, and regularly reviewing access lists are critical steps in reducing risk.
The Risk of Abandoned or Forgotten Accounts
Many organizations have social accounts they no longer actively manage. Old Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn pages created for past campaigns or departments are often left behind without monitoring or updated security settings.
These abandoned accounts are attractive targets for attackers. They are less likely to be protected with strong passwords or MFA and may not be noticed if compromised. Once taken over, they can be repurposed for scams or impersonation with little resistance.
How Attackers Use Social Media for Reconnaissance
Even when accounts are not compromised, attackers can gather valuable intelligence just by observing social media activity. Public posts can reveal employee names, job roles, travel plans, internal tools, office locations, and business relationships.
This information is often used to craft highly convincing phishing emails or social engineering attacks. A simple post about a new hire, upcoming event, or vendor relationship can provide attackers with the context they need to appear legitimate and trustworthy.
What a Social Media Security Policy Should Include
A strong social media security policy helps close these gaps and sets clear expectations. At a minimum, it should define who owns each account, who has admin access, and how access is approved and revoked. It should require strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and the use of approved password managers or social media management tools.
The policy should also address monitoring for impersonation, handling compromised accounts, and guidelines for what information can and cannot be shared publicly. Regular audits of accounts and access should be part of the process, not a one-time task.
Treat Social Media Like the Business System It Is
Social media is no longer just a marketing channel. It is a business system that interacts directly with customers, partners, and the public, which makes it a valuable target for attackers.
Organizations that treat social media with the same care as email, cloud apps, and internal systems are far better positioned to prevent incidents before they happen. A proactive approach to social media security can protect your brand, your customers, and your business reputation in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.
How RCS Professional Services Can Help
Social media security often falls through the cracks because it sits between marketing, IT, and leadership. That is where RCS Professional Services comes in.
If you are not sure who has access to your social accounts, whether old profiles are still active, or how exposed your organization may be through public-facing platforms, now is the time to take a closer look. Contact RCS Professional Services to start a conversation about strengthening your security posture and reducing risk across your entire attack surface.
