What is a cyber kill chain?

A cyber kill chain is a concept used in cybersecurity to describe the stages of a cyberattack, from initial reconnaissance to data exfiltration. This framework is based on the military concept of the "kill chain," which outlines the steps an attacker must take to successfully carry out an attack.

Cyber Kill Chain Stages

The typical stages of a cyber kill chain include:

1. Reconnaissance
2. Weaponization
3. Delivery
4. Exploitation
5. Installation
6. Command and Control
7. Action on Objectives

Using the Cyber Kill Chain in Cybersecurity

Organizations can use the cyber kill chain framework to strengthen their defenses and prevent or mitigate cyber threats. By understanding the various stages of an attack, organizations can implement security measures such as:

• Threat intelligence to identify potential threats
• Attack detection to catch attackers in the early stages
• Cyber defense measures to block or limit attackers' progress
• Cyber threat prevention strategies to stop attacks before they happen
• Data exfiltration prevention to protect sensitive information
• Cyber threat response plans to quickly respond to and recover from attacks