Threat Actor Motivations

Types of Threat Actors
Hackers
Nation-State Threat Actors
Organized Crime Threat Actors
Corporate Espionage
Insider Threats
Summary
Further Reading and Resources

In this article, we explore the driving forces behind various threat actor attacks. By understanding the motivations of these attackers, organizations can better prepare and defend against potential security breaches. Attacks may be structured and intentional, or unstructured and accidental, and the motivation behind an attack is often intricately linked to the overall strategy employed.

The image illustrates attack strategies, categorizing them as "Structured and Intentional" and "Unstructured and Accidental," alongside a graphic of a person in a hoodie at a computer.

Common attack strategies include:

Disrupting services or taking a website offline.
Exfiltrating sensitive data from the target.
Spreading disinformation by altering website content or posting false information on social media.

A prevalent motivation behind service disruption attacks is to create chaos, often driven by a desire for revenge. Such motivations can be especially dangerous when the threat actor is an insider, such as a former employee.

Financial gain is another major motivator—attackers often steal data with the intent to sell it online, engage in blackmail, extortion, or commit fraud. Political motivations also feature prominently; while nation-state actors are often involved in cyber espionage and advanced persistent threats (APTs), political motives can equally involve whistleblowers or attempts to undermine political campaigns.

The image illustrates three attack strategies: data exfiltration, service disruption, and disinformation, with a figure in a hoodie at a computer.

The image outlines three motivations: creating chaos (seeking revenge), financial gain (blackmail, extortion, fraud), and political (whistleblowers, opposing political campaigns).

Moving forward, we now examine the various types of threat actors, categorized by their attributes and motivations.

Types of Threat Actors

Hackers

Hackers possess the technical skills required to gain unauthorized access to systems. Although many associate hackers with breaches, some are authorized to test system vulnerabilities—commonly known as white hat hackers. On the other hand, unauthorized attackers are referred to as black hat hackers, and less sophisticated individuals using pre-made tools are often called “script kiddies.” More sophisticated and well-funded groups include nation-state actors and organized crime-affiliated hackers.

Nation-State Threat Actors

Nation-state threat actors are typically well-financed and specialize in executing advanced persistent threats (APTs). These attackers establish long-term, covert access to target systems, frequently focusing on government agencies or critical infrastructure. In some instances, nation-states outsource operations to local organized crime groups to implement ransomware-as-a-service or other elaborate strategies.

Organized Crime Threat Actors

Organized crime groups pose considerable challenges due to their cross-jurisdictional operations, which complicate investigations and prosecutions. These actors often execute their campaigns in regions other than their own, further escalating the difficulties encountered by law enforcement agencies.

The image is a map illustrating organized crime activities across different jurisdictions, with lines connecting various locations to a central "Target Jurisdiction." It includes icons representing threat actors and legal symbols.

Corporate Espionage

Corporate espionage involves competitors infiltrating organizations to gain a market advantage by stealing trade secrets or sensitive information. This form of cyber espionage adds another layer of complexity to the cybersecurity landscape.

Insider Threats

Insider threats can originate from both malicious actions and unintentional mistakes. Individuals with authorized access might misuse their privileges to sabotage operations, steal data for financial benefit, or disrupt services. For instance, an insider may remotely log in to download files and transfer them to a personal device. Additionally, unintentional insider threats can result from inadequate security training, weak policies, or shadow IT—when employees independently purchase or use unauthorized IT equipment or services.

Always ensure that internal access and permissions are appropriately managed. Regular training and updated security policies can help mitigate the risks associated with insider threats.

Summary

In summary, this section has explored various threat actor types, their strategies, and motivations behind cyber attacks. By understanding these factors, organizations and IT professionals can better tailor their defensive measures. In the next section, we will delve into threat vectors and attack surfaces—examining methods such as social engineering and file-based threats—to provide a comprehensive view of the cybersecurity landscape.

Watch Video

Threat Actors and Motivations

Threat Vectors and Attack Surfaces

⌘I

Introduction

Controls and Security Concepts

Threats Vulnerabilities and Mitigations

Security Operations

Security Architecture

Security Management

Threat Actor Motivations