Cyber Attack Cycle

This phase, also known as the “actions on objectives” stage, is where the intruder’s plans culminate, whether stealing data, deploying ransomware, or causing operational disruption. Importance of the Actions Phase Following the command and control phase, attackers are poised to carry out their intended actions. They might extract valuable data, execute destructive commands, or leverage…

The Command & Control (C2) phase is where attackers take command of compromised systems and direct them to perform malicious activities. Why the Command and Control Phase Matters The C&C phase follows the exploitation and installation stages of an attack, where attackers have already breached security and deployed malicious code. At this phase, attackers command…

One critical but often underestimated stage in the cyber attack cycle is the installation phase. This is the moment when the attacker secures their presence on the victim’s system, setting the stage for ongoing control or damage. Understanding this phase is crucial for effectively defending against and responding to cyber threats. The Significance of the…

This is the stage where attackers turn identified vulnerabilities into actual attacks, using known methods to breach security. Today, I’ll explain why this phase is pivotal, outline common techniques attackers use, and show you how to defend your systems effectively. Understanding the Exploitation Phase In the exploitation phase, the action heats up: attackers have already…

Today, let’s delve into the second step: Weaponization and Delivery. Here, attackers prepare and send their malicious payload to the target. Understanding this phase is crucial because it’s where the groundwork is laid for the impending attack. By dissecting this process, we can better prepare and defend against these tactics. What is Weaponization in Cyber…

The reconnaissance stage, the initial step in the widely recognized Cyber Attack Cycle or “Cyber Kill Chain” developed by Lockheed Martin, focuses on actively gathering information. In this detailed exploration, I will try to explain the reconnaissance phase. The Anatomy of Cyber Reconnaissance Reconnaissance1 fundamentally serves as an intelligence-gathering mission. Cyber attackers use this phase…