What is a cyber kill chain?

A cyber kill chain is a model that outlines the stages of a cyber attack, detailing the various phases an attacker typically goes through from the initial reconnaissance to the final actions on objectives. This framework helps cybersecurity professionals understand how attacks unfold and assists in identifying points where defenses can be implemented to thwart the attacker.

By breaking down the attack process into distinct stages—such as reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives—organizations can devise targeted responses and enhance their security posture at each phase. This structured approach allows defenders to anticipate and disrupt the attack lifecycle, ultimately protecting sensitive information and systems from being compromised.

Other choices do not capture the essence of what a cyber kill chain represents. While implementing preventative measures against data loss is crucial, it does not accurately describe the sequential nature of attack stages as defined in the cyber kill chain. Similarly, enhancing network speed and assessing organizational risk pertain to different aspects of cybersecurity management, rather than the specific framework used to analyze how cyber attacks occur.