The cyber kill chain is a set of procedures used to detect unusual activity within a secure network and thus trace cyberattacks from their early stages. The purpose of the cyber kill chain process is to understand the stages of security threats such as ransomware, breaches, and APTs or advanced persistent attacks.
Originally, the cyber kill chain process was designed by Lockheed Martin and it is now used by businesses and individuals in nearly every sector that includes the use of digital assets. To look back on the history of this procedure, the cyber kill chain process was derived from a military framework that was established to identify a target, prepare to attack, engage and ultimately destroy the said target.
The Stages of the Cyber Kill Chain
The cyber kill chain process is adjusted to the cybersecurity needs of businesses that use large network interfaces on a daily basis. It consists of 8 phases, including reconnaissance, intrusion, exploitation, privilege escalation, lateral movement, obfuscation / anti-forensics, denial of service, and exfiltration.
Reconnaissance is often the first stage of a cybersecurity attack, whereas exfiltration is the final stage of pulling crucial data from the network. Here’s a brief overview of each stage of a security attack:
- Reconnaissance
The first stage of the cyber kill chain is the observation stage where the attackers scope the situation to identify their target and the best attack method.
- Intrusion
During the intrusion stage, hackers put their newly gained knowledge to use and leverage the network’s security vulnerabilities to gain deeper access.
- Exploitation
At this stage, attackers begin to exploit the vulnerabilities of the system and install malicious code to get a firmer grip on the situation.
- Privilege Escalation
During this stage, the hackers escalate their privileges to an Admin in order to access more data within the system.
- Lateral Movement
At this stage, hackers have already gained access to the system and they start to move laterally in order to gain more leverage, which includes more data and higher permissions.
- Obfuscation / Anti-forensics
This is where hackers start to install false trails by compromising data and clearing logs in order to slow down the detection team or push them in the wrong direction.
- Denial of Service
At this stage, attackers start to block users from accessing the system in order to prevent the security team from monitoring or tracking the attack. At this stage, you will be 100% sure there is an attack taking place.
- Exfiltration
Exfiltration is the final stage of the kill chain process where the attackers finally get the needed data out of the compromised system.
The Takeaway
By understanding the cyber kill chain, the security team will have better chances of detecting an attack while it is still in its early stages. In combination with other security methods and mitigation techniques, the cyber kill chain can help businesses prevent damage before it is too late.
On top of raising awareness and educating the security team on the importance of the cyber kill chain, it is important to set up threat detection and recovery protocols. With the right security measures in place, businesses can prevent major security attacks before they even happen.
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