What is a 'cyber kill chain' modeled to outline?

A 'cyber kill chain' is modeled to outline the stages of a cyber attack. This concept was developed to help organizations understand the process an attacker follows, from initial reconnaissance through to the final goals of the attack, such as data exfiltration or system compromise. By breaking down the attack into distinct stages, organizations can identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies to mitigate risks at each phase.

The stages typically include reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control (C2), and actions on objectives. Understanding this sequence allows defenders to create targeted defenses and responses tailored to disrupt the attack flow at various points in the kill chain.

This is a critical framework in cybersecurity that helps in analyzing and improving security measures, making it an essential element for effective threat response and incident management.