What Is An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)?
SearchSecurity, Thursday, December 7,2023
An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a prolonged and targeted cyber attack in which an intruder gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period.
APT attacks are initiated to steal highly sensitive data rather than cause damage to the target organization's network. The goal of most APT attacks is to achieve and maintain ongoing access to the targeted network rather than to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Unlike ransomware as a service and other cyber assaults, APTs are executed manually through meticulous planning. Because a great deal of effort and resources can go into carrying out APT attacks, threat actors typically select high-value targets, such as large organizations, to steal information over a long period. For this reason, APT attacks are typically orchestrated by well-funded nation-state cybercriminal groups rather than individual hackers.