Let us discuss and have information about the cybersecurity kill chain. Also, let us learn the phase of the cybersecurity kill chain.
What Is Cybersecurity Kill Chain?
A cybersecurity kill chain is a structured approach to threat hunting that helps organizations detect and respond more quickly to cyber-attacks. The cybersecurity kill chain is a five-phase model:
These phases can be completed in any order and may overlap. The steps in the cybersecurity kill chain help organizations narrow down the specific attack vector
And also, determine which phase of the attack they are in. This allows them to create a response plan and execute it quickly based on the phase of the attack.
The Five Phases of Cybersecurity Kill Chain
What are the five phases of the cybersecurity kill chain? Let us discuss the following:
1: Preparation
In this phase, the attacker is performing all steps necessary to plan an attack campaign. They might create a botnet, establish an encrypted tunnel or create malware to use in the attack.
2: Weaponization
In this phase, the attacker chooses the malicious code and how it will be used to cause damage.
3: Delivery
In this phase, the attacker finds a way to deliver the malicious code to their target. This could be done through spear phishing, malvertising, or even using an IoT device.
So as a jump host for command and control (C&C) traffic.
4: Exploitation
In this phase, the attacker finds a weakness in their target’s network that is exploitable. This could be through a known vulnerability or configuration problem.
Or by exploiting human error such as clicking on a bad link. Once exploited by ransomware, the risk becomes much greater because other systems may also be affected.
Unless they are patched immediately. The defender needs to be prepared for this because attackers will try repeatedly.
5: Installation
In this stage, attackers install malicious tools on systems and networks. This includes installing backdoors that may not be visible to most users.
But can be accessed by attackers from anywhere if they have access to their command and control systems.
In most cases, all five phases. It happens without any detection from human beings.
But sometimes there are cases when an attacker fails at a particular stage. And it becomes easy for security professionals to detect them and stop them.
It is from causing further damage at that stage of the attack.
C-I-A Model
A cybersecurity kill chain is a structured approach to threat hunting. That helps organizations detect and respond more quickly to cyber-attacks.
There is a different model. It is known as the C-I-A model of the cybersecurity kill chain.
This stands for Cybersecurity Intelligence, Analysis and Visualization, and Cybersecurity Operations. These three components together constitute a cybersecurity kill chain.
Let us discuss each of these components in detail:
Cybersecurity Intelligence:
This is the first stage model. In this stage, security professionals collect information about potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
They monitor the Internet for new threats and analyze data from internal and external sources. Such as their logs and those of their partners and vendors.
Analysis And Visualization:
This is the second stage chain model. In this stage, security professionals search for patterns in the collected information.
They look for attacks that may have come from the same source. Or that may be related to each other.
Cybersecurity Operations:
This is the third stage model. In this stage, security professionals act on information collected throughout the first two stages.
It is to prevent an attack. They use tools like honeypots, firewalls, and IDS/IPS systems to detect an actual attack in progress.
They also scan for vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. That could be exploited by malicious actors.
If they detect an active breach or infection, they can then contain it to minimize further damage.
