What is the primary goal of cyber threat hunting?

The primary goal of cyber threat hunting is to proactively search for potential cyber threats that evade existing security measures. This involves actively looking for indicators of compromise, unusual patterns, and signs of malicious activity within an organization’s network that automated security systems may not detect.

Cyber threat hunting is characterized by its proactive approach, which means that it aims to identify and mitigate risks before they can result in data breaches or other security incidents. By engaging in this type of activity, organizations can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals, reducing the chances of being caught off guard by threats that are sophisticated enough to bypass traditional security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software.

This proactive stance differentiates it significantly from merely reacting to breaches as they occur or focusing solely on improving existing security systems. It also highlights that training for IT staff, while important, is not the primary goal of threat hunting. Instead, the focus is on uncovering hidden threats and enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.