Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities

Threat Actors

• Individuals or groups intentionally causing harm to digital devices or systems.
• Exploits vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks and software to perpetrate various cyberattacks.
• Examples of attacks include phishing, ransomware and malware attacks.

Vulnerability

• A weakness in an IT system that can be exploited by an attacker.
• Can occur through flaws, features or user error.
• Attackers exploit vulnerabilities to achieve their end goal.
• Often combine multiple vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability in Information Security

• Weakness or opportunity in an information system.
• Allows cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
• Weakens systems and opens the door to malicious attacks.
• ISO defines a vulnerability in security as the weakness of an asset or group of assets that can be exploited by one or more cyber threats.

Vulnerabilities, Exploits, and Threats

• Vulnerability: Weakness in hardware, software, or procedures.
• Exploit: Malicious code used to take advantage of vulnerabilities and compromise IT infrastructure.
• Threat: Potentially dangerous event that has the potential to cause damage.
• Exploits are how threats become attacks, and vulnerabilities are how exploits gain access to targeted systems.

Types of Vulnerabilities

• Network vulnerabilities: Weaknesses within an organization’s hardware or software infrastructure that allow cyberattackers to gain access and cause harm. This can include poorly-protected wireless access or misconfigured firewalls.
• Operating system vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in the software that controls a computer‘s hardware and software.
• Procedural vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in an organization’s security procedures.
• Human vulnerabilities: Weaknesses caused by human error, such as not updating software or clicking on phishing links.

Explore the dynamic world of cybersecurity through this quiz that covers key concepts such as threat actors, vulnerabilities, and exploits. Understand how weaknesses in information systems can be targeted by cybercriminals to launch a variety of attacks. Test your knowledge of cybersecurity essentials and enhance your awareness of digital threats.