Understanding Threat Actors: Types, Tactics, and How to Defend Against Them

What is a Threat Actor?

A threat actor is an individual or group responsible for malicious activities in the realm of cybersecurity. These actors exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or software to compromise information and disrupt operations. They may target organisations or individuals with the intent to steal, alter, or destroy data.

Types of Threat Actors

Threat actors can be classified into several categories:

• Hacktivists: Individuals or groups that use hacking techniques to promote political or social causes. Their actions are often intended to raise awareness, challenge authority, or protest perceived injustices. Example: Anonymous is a well-known hacktivist group composed of individuals from all over the world, engaging in high-profile attacks against government institutions and agencies to advance political causes.
• Cybercriminals: Individuals or groups primarily motivated by financial gain. They often engage in activities such as data theft, ransomware attacks, or financial fraud. Their targets typically include businesses, financial institutions, government agencies, and individual consumers. Example: The Dark Web hackers exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, often for financial gain or other criminal purposes. Their activities include selling stolen data, distributing malware, and launching ransomware attacks.
• Nation-State Actors: Government-sponsored entities that conduct cyber espionage, sabotage, or warfare. They target other nations for political or economic advantage. These entities are often highly funded and have extensive resources, making their attacks more dangerous and sophisticated
• Insider threats: Employees or trusted individuals within an organisation who misuse their access to harm the organization or benefit personally. These threats are particularly dangerous because insiders typically have legitimate access to sensitive information and systems.
• Thrill seekers: Individuals who engage in hacking activities primarily for the excitement, personal satisfaction, or entertainment. They often view hacking as a challenge and test their skills against security systems for fun or to gain notoriety among their peers.

How Do Threat Actors Operate?

Threat actors employ a variety of methods to achieve their objectives. Common techniques include:

• Phishing: Sending fraudulent communications to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information.
• Malware: Deploying malicious software to disrupt or gain unauthorised access to systems. Some types of malwares include viruses, ransomware, and Trojans horse viruses.
• Social Engineering: Manipulating people into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Common social engineering techniques include baiting, such as leaving infected USB drives in public places, or impersonating an authority figure to gain access to secure areas.
• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overloading a target system with excessive traffic to render it unavailable.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Infiltrating and remaining undetected in a target’s network for extended periods, APTs are sophisticated cyberattacks executed by well-resourced threat actors. They gather sensitive data, monitor communications, or carry out espionage and sabotage.

Threat Actors vs Cybercriminals vs Hackers:

The terms "threat actor," "hacker," and "cybercriminal" are frequently used interchangeably in Hollywood and popular culture, but they have distinct meanings.

• Threat Actors: a broad term that encompasses any individual or group that poses a potential risk to information systems and networks.
• Cybercriminals: specifically refer to individuals or groups who engage in illegal activities using technology, with the primary objective of financial gain. Their actions are driven by motives such as theft, fraud, or extortion.
• Hackers: Refers to individuals with technical expertise in computer systems and networks. However, not all hackers are threat actors or cybercriminals. For example, ethical hackers deliberately simulate cybercriminal activities to help organisations and government agencies identify vulnerabilities in their systems.

How Can Organisations Defend Against Threat Actors?

Organisations can enhance their security posture by:

• Implementing Robust Cybersecurity Measures: Including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and anti-malware software. These measures are foundational to protecting an organisation’s digital assets.
• Educating Employees: The risk of human error is often a significant factor in security breaches. Providing training on recognising and responding to phishing and other social engineering attacks can mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.
• Regularly Updating Systems: Keeping software and systems up to date to patch vulnerabilities, including software patching, updating anti-malware software, and managing system configurations.
• Conducting Security Assessments: Regularly testing and assessing the security of systems to identify and address potential weaknesses. This process includes various techniques such as vulnerability scanning, which identifies known security flaws, and penetration testing, where ethical hackers simulate real-world attacks to assess how well the systems withstand potential threats.

Guard Against Advanced Threat Actors

Advanced threat actors employ sophisticated tactics to breach and compromise systems, posing significant challenges for organisations. A lack of a proactive approach and localised threat intelligence can leave organisations vulnerable to these advanced threats, making it essential to implement tailored security measures to effectively mitigate risks.

Ensign provides robust solutions to defend against and manage the risks posed by advanced threat actors. Our capabilities include innovative data science for enhanced threat detection, advanced cybersecurity analysis, and tailor-made integrated solutions based on client needs. Learn more about our capabilities here.