Targeted Attacks versus Opportunistic Attacks

In the present climate where cybersecurity threats abound, it’s important to understand the different kinds of attacks that your digital assets might face. Broadly, we can categorize cyber attacks into two types: targeted and opportunistic. Though both kinds of attacks pose serious risks, they differ in terms of their approach, intent, and the level of sophistication involved. Distinguishing between these two attack types is vital for building robust defense strategies and for professional cyber security companies Brisbane who design and implement such solutions.

What’s an Opportunistic Attack?

Opportunistic attacks, as the term suggests, occur when a cyber attacker identifies any random opportunity to exploit. These attacks are usually broad and non-discriminative. The cybercriminals who perpetrate these acts don’t usually have a specific target in mind. Instead, they employ automated tools to scan the internet for systems with known vulnerabilities and then exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or disrupt the systems’ functioning. Common examples include phishing attacks and ransomware that are spread through mass-email campaigns or infected websites.

What Constitutes a Targeted Attack?

Unlike an opportunistic attack, a targeted attack is a meticulously planned and coordinated campaign against a specific individual, organization, or a particular system. These attacks are perpetrated by highly skilled cybercriminals whose motivations may range from economic gain and competitive advantage to geopolitics. Targeted attacks often involve a high degree of sophistication and persistence, and can include advanced persistent threats (APTs), spear-phishing and whaling attacks. To be successful, these attacks often require extensive research on the part of the attacker to identify the target’s vulnerabilities and to design a specific breach strategy.

Contrasting Opportunistic Attacks and Targeted Attacks

Besides the scope and intent, there are several other significant differences between opportunistic attacks and targeted attacks.

First, the resource investment differs greatly. Opportunistic attacks typically require less financial outlay, time commitment, and specialized skills. They are usually automated, and the attackers aim to immerse the least amount of resources possible while hoping for a ‘hit’. In contrast, targeted attacks usually require a considerable resource outlay. As these are specific and goal-driven, they require a high level of expertize, time, and financial resources in planning and execution.

The impact of these attacks also differs. Opportunistic attacks can cause widespread but usually less-severe damage, often lying more in the realm of annoyance than actual devastation. On the other hand, targeted attacks can cause significant damages, especially to businesses or critical industries, in terms of stolen sensitive data, monetary loss, and tarnished reputation.

Lastly, the detection and mitigation of targeted and opportunistic attacks require different strategies. Opportunistic attacks can generally be deterred by basic cybersecurity hygiene practices like regular updates and patches, strong passwords and anti-phishing measures. However, given the specific nature and advanced techniques used in targeted attacks, their prevention requires a robust and multi-layered defence strategy involving threat intelligence, intrusion detection systems, and continuous network monitoring, among others.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between targeted and opportunistic attacks is crucial for individuals and companies to protect themselves effectively in the cyberspace. Companies, such as the cyber security companies Brisbane, specialize in creating custom-tailored security measures that cater to these differing threats and ensure robust cybersecurity protection for their client businesses.

Submitted by: Stewart Wrighter

The field of information security is one that is expected to grow quite a lot in the coming years and so perhaps obtaining some security training may not be such a bad investment. Because there is such a demand for certified professionals, many are well-paid if they have a security certification.

Certifications such as the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), the ISSEP (Information Systems Security Engineering Professional), the ISSMP (Information Systems Security Management Professional), the CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional) and the SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) carry such a focus.

At the basic level, a certified practitioner works to guard information from unauthorized users who may want to access, use, destroy or disrupt it. The phrases information assurance and computer security are often used to mean the same thing as information security.

In the modern era, corporations and other institutions must collect and store mass amounts of data which is often of the confidential sort. The information may involve researching products or financial account information which is often stored, processed and transmitted to more than one computer via a network. Much of this information must be protected from potential criminal use.

The ultimate goal of the information security industry is to protect the availability, integrity and confidentiality of information. Information security keeps information confidential by protecting it from unauthorized users or systems. An example of this would be encrypting an online credit card transaction so that credit card information cannot be stolen and used by a third-party. This kind of security works to ensure the integrity of information in that it makes certain information is not modified without detection. And last but not least, this industry aims to keep information available to those meant to have access to it.

The field has quickly become one of the most important within that of information technology, as it is essential to just about every modern business. Because of this widespread need, the area has continued to grow even through the recent recession.

This is just one aspect of the information technology industry, which refers to the use of computers and software to manipulate and maintain information. The field dates back to the days of Julius Caesar, who is thought to have created information security with his Caesar cipher around 50 BC. Just as Caesar wrote in code because he did not want his private messages to end up in the wrong hands, today s internet users must rely on information security to be able to safely use networks like the worldwide web.

The outbreak of World War II saw the first modern day signs that an information security field was blooming, but it was not until use of the internet became widespread that technological innovations in the field really began taking place. The need was great because of incidents of international terrorism and the growth of consumer business over the net led to many important developments in information security.

Because this field has come full circle in recent years, evolving and growing even now, there are a great number of positions available for professionals. Specialty jobs within this area of expertise can be found in application and database security, information systems auditing, network security, security testing, business continuity planning, digital forensics science and others.

About the Author: Stewart Wrighter recently studied new

security certification

sites online while conducting research for an article. His son searched the term

security training

online to find out more about registering for a class.

Source:

isnare.com

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