CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Course - 2.1 Compare and Contrast Common Threat Actors - PART A

Summary

This lesson explores various types of cyber threat actors, from nation-state sponsored groups with high resources and sophistication to unskilled 'script kiddies' who exploit vulnerabilities. It covers activists like Anonymous, insider threats, and organized crime groups behind ransomware attacks. Shadow IT is also discussed as a risk due to lack of oversight. Understanding these actors' motivations and capabilities is key for developing effective cybersecurity strategies to counter their diverse methods and threats.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Nation state actors are sponsored by governments and engage in cyber espionage or warfare, possessing high resources and sophistication, as exemplified by alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.
• 👶 Script kiddies are unskilled attackers who use existing tools and scripts to exploit known vulnerabilities, lacking sophistication but still capable of causing harm.
• 🌟 Activists, such as the group Anonymous, are driven by political or social causes and use hacking to bring attention to their issues, launching cyber attacks to protest against organizations and governments.
• 🤔 Insider threats originate from within an organization, where individuals misuse their access to harm the organization, either through malicious intent or negligence.
• 💡 Cyber organized crime groups are involved in activities like data breaches, fraud, and extortion, exhibiting well-funded and sophisticated operations, often behind ransomware attacks.
• 🌐 Shadow IT refers to the use of unauthorized systems within an organization, posing security risks due to lack of oversight, such as employees using unapproved cloud services for sensitive data.
• 🔍 Threats can be internal or external, with internal actors having insider knowledge and external actors often having more resources.
• 💰 The level of threat posed by actors often correlates with their resources and funding, with nation states and organized crime groups capable of complex and sustained attacks.
• 🤖 The sophistication and capability of threat actors vary widely, with nation states and organized crime groups often using advanced tactics, while unskilled attackers and insider threats might use simpler methods.
• 🛡️ Understanding the varied landscape of threat actors and their attributes is crucial for effective cybersecurity strategies, as recognizing their motivations and capabilities helps in developing targeted defenses.

Q & A

What are the characteristics of nation state actors in cyber activities?

Nation state actors are sponsored by governments, engage in cyber espionage or warfare, possess high resources and sophistication, and are capable of complex attacks, as exemplified by the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential elections.

What is the term used for unskilled attackers who use existing tools to launch attacks?

Unskilled attackers are often called 'Script kiddies'. They lack sophistication but can still exploit known vulnerabilities, such as using readily available DoS tools to disrupt services.

What motivates activists to engage in hacking activities?

Activists are motivated by political or social causes and use hacking to draw attention to their cause. An example is the group Anonymous, known for launching cyber attacks to protest against various organizations and governments.

How do insider threats differ from external threats?

Insider threats come from individuals within an organization who misuse their access to harm the organization, either due to malicious intent or negligence. They have the advantage of insider knowledge, unlike external actors.

What are the typical activities of cyber organized crime groups?

Cyber organized crime groups are involved in activities like data breaches, fraud, and extortion. They are well-funded and sophisticated, often behind complex attacks such as ransomware, exemplified by the WACry attack.

What is the term 'Shadow IT' and how does it pose security risks?

'Shadow IT' refers to unauthorized IT systems within an organization. While not inherently malicious, they pose security risks due to lack of oversight, such as employees using unapproved cloud services to share sensitive data.

How do internal and external threat actors differ in terms of resources and knowledge?

Internal actors have the advantage of insider knowledge, which can be used to exploit vulnerabilities within an organization. External actors, such as cyber criminals or nation states, often have more resources, enabling them to launch more complex attacks.

What is the correlation between the level of threat posed by actors and their resources?

The level of threat posed by actors often correlates with their resources and funding. Nation states and organized crime groups, with significant resources, can enable complex and sustained attacks.

How does the sophistication and capability of threat actors vary?

The sophistication and capability of threat actors vary widely. Nation states and organized crime groups often exhibit high levels of sophistication using advanced tactics, while unskilled attackers and insider threats might use simpler methods.

Why is it crucial to understand the landscape of threat actors and their attributes?

Understanding the varied landscape of threat actors and their attributes is crucial for effective cybersecurity strategies. Recognizing their motivations and capabilities helps in developing targeted defenses against these threats.

What is the significance of recognizing the motivations behind different types of threat actors?

Recognizing the motivations behind different types of threat actors helps in predicting their actions and tailoring cybersecurity measures to counter specific types of threats more effectively.