Reasons Why IT Systems Are Attacked

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the reasons IT systems are attacked and the impacts of security breaches.

Fun/Challenge

Unauthorized access to systems without a goal for financial gain, often for personal achievement or peer recognition.

Industrial Espionage

The act of stealing confidential data from rival businesses or governments to gain competitive advantages.

Financial Gain

Motivation for attacks driven by the intent to directly or indirectly steal money or valuable information.

Personal Attack

Attacks motivated by personal grudges, often involving disgruntled employees or ideological conflicts.

Disruption

Attack aimed at interrupting an organization's services for political, personal, or financial gain.

Data/Information Theft

The act of stealing sensitive data, often leading to identity theft and financial fraud.

Security Breach

An unauthorized access to data that impacts businesses through data loss, financial loss, or damage to public image.

Denial-of-Service Attacks

A malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server or service.

Data Protection Act

Legislation that requires personal data to be kept secure, failures can lead to legal action and fines.

Downtime

Periods when a system is unavailable, often due to cyber attacks, affecting business operations.