The act of using cyber means to gather sensitive information from individuals, organizations, or governments without their consent.
Description
Cyber espionage involves the unauthorized access and extraction of confidential data, typically for political, military, or economic advantage. This method is increasingly used by nation-states and criminal organizations to steal intellectual property, trade secrets, or classified information. Unlike cybercrime, which aims for financial gain, cyber espionage focuses on intelligence gathering and strategic advantage. Techniques often used in cyber espionage include phishing, malware deployment, and exploiting vulnerabilities in software. High-profile incidents, such as the 2015 breach of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, where sensitive data of millions of federal employees was stolen, highlight the severity of this threat. Another example is the 2020 SolarWinds hack, where attackers infiltrated multiple U.S. government agencies and corporations by compromising software updates. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of cyber espionage, making it a critical concern for cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
Examples
- The 2015 U.S. Office of Personnel Management breach, where personal data of over 22 million people was compromised.
- The SolarWinds hack in 2020, which affected numerous U.S. government agencies and large corporations by embedding malicious code in software updates.
Additional Information
- Cyber espionage poses significant risks to national security, corporate secrets, and personal privacy.
- Preventing cyber espionage requires advanced cybersecurity measures, employee training, and constant monitoring of networks.