Cyber threat 🟠 Risk

A cyber threat is defined as any circumstance or event likely to cause harm via cyberspace or information systems.

It encompasses a range of potential risks that can be exploited by various actors, using a variety of attack vectors, to compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and infrastructures.

At the most basic level, a cyberthreat is therefore a potential risk. an actor, action or event which, by exploiting a particular vulnerabilitycan breach the security of a system and cause damage.

Threat agent (the person making the threat)

A cyber threat is always perpetrated by a actor. This actor can be :

• External : a cybercriminal individual, a group of hackers, a criminal organisation, a nation-state, a competitor, etc.
• Internal : a malicious employee, a negligent employee, a subcontractor or a former employee.
• Accidental : human error, incorrect configuration or technical faults, although unintentional, can generate exploitable risks.

A cyberthreat uses a vector to reach its target. Common vectors include :

• Malware (malicious software) : virus, vers, Trojan horses, ransomware, spywareetc. This software is designed to infiltrate systems, steal data, disrupt operations or take control remotely.
• Phishing and social engineering : techniques that manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information, clicking on malicious links or performing compromising actions.
• Attacks by denial of service (DDoS) : flood a system or network with traffic to make it unavailable to legitimate users.
• Exploitation of software vulnerabilities : take advantage of security flaws in software (operating systems, applications) to infiltrate or take control.
• Internal threats : abuse of privileged access, data theftsabotage by authorised persons.
• Attacks " Man-in-the-Middle "(MitM): interception and potential modification of communications between two parties.
• Supply chain attacks : Compromise a supplier or partner to reach the final target.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) : Sophisticated, stealthy, long-term attacks, often carried out by state actors or highly organised groups.

🎯 Threat target

A cyber threat targets a target specific or multiple. Targets can be :

• • Data : personal information, financial data, trade secrets, intellectual property, health data, etc. The aim may be to steal, modify, destroy or otherwise misuse this information. encryption of this data.
  • IT systems and infrastructures : computers, servers, networks, mobile devices, industrial control systems (SCADA), critical infrastructures (energy, transport, finance, health, etc.). The aim may be to disrupt operations, render services unavailable, or cause physical damage.
  • People : Cyber threats can target individuals directly (identity theft, online harassment, blackmail) or indirectly via organisations (damage to reputation, loss of trust).
  • Reputation and brand image : a cyber attack can seriously damage an organisation's reputation and erode the trust of customers, partners and the public.

Intention and motivation

Although all cyberthreats are harmful, the most common are motivations and intentions vary considerably. We can distinguish :

• Financial cybercrime :  theft of money, bank fraud, ransomware, theft of financial data for resale, etc. The main motivation is financial gain.
• Cyber espionage : theft of confidential information (commercial secrets, government information, military data) for political, economic or military reasons.
• Hacktivism : use of hacking for political or ideological purposes (protest, denunciation, sabotage).
• Cyberterrorism : using cyberspace to carry out terrorist actions, disrupt critical infrastructures and spread panic.
• Cyber warfare : conflicts between nation-states in cyberspace, aimed at paralysing enemy infrastructures, stealing strategic information or influencing public opinion.
• Internal malice : revenge, personal gain, sabotage by an employee or former employee.

💥 Impact and consequences

The consequences of a successful cyberthreat can be serious and varied:

• Financial losses : direct costs (ransom, regulatory fines), operating losses, restoration costs, loss of future income, compensation.
• Data breach and invasion of privacy : exposure of sensitive personal information, identity theft, legal and regulatory consequences.
• Disruption to operations : systems downtime, service interruption, loss of productivity, damage to reputation.
• Damage to reputation : loss of customer, partner and public confidence, tarnished brand image.
• Legal and regulatory consequences : fines, legal proceedings, regulatory sanctions, loss of licences or authorisations.
• Physical damage (in certain cases) : disruption of industrial control systems that could lead to accidents, equipment failure or environmental damage.

• Risk assessment : identify, analyse and prioritise the potential cyber threats to which an organisation is exposed.
• Implementation of safety measures : deploy appropriate security controls (technical, organisational and human) to prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats.
• Awareness-raising and training : educate users about the different types of cyberthreats and best practices in terms of cyber security cyber security.
• Communication and crisis management : prepare incident response and crisis communication plans in the event of a successful cyber attack.