How many steps are in the Cyber-Attack Lifecycle?

The Cyber-Attack Lifecycle is commonly understood to encompass six distinct steps. This model helps organizations understand the various phases a cyber attack typically goes through, which can be essential for developing effective cybersecurity strategies.

The six steps in the Cyber-Attack Lifecycle are:

1. Reconnaissance: This initial phase involves gathering information about the target to identify potential vulnerabilities. Attackers often use open-source intelligence and other means to learn as much as they can.

2. Weaponization: After reconnaissance, attackers create a weapon, such as malware or an exploit, that can target the identified vulnerabilities.

3. Delivery: In this phase, the weapon is delivered to the target. This can be done through various means such as email attachments, malicious links, or direct network access.

4. Exploitation: Once the weapon reaches the target, the next step is to exploit the vulnerability. This allows the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system.

5. Installation: After exploitation, the attacker may install malware on the compromised system to maintain access over time.

6. Command and Control (C2): In this final step, the attacker establishes a command and control channel to maintain communication with the compromised system,