What term describes a form of cyber attack that steals classified, sensitive data or intellectual property to gain an advantage?

What term describes a form of cyber attack that steals classified, sensitive data or intellectual property to gain an advantage?

• A. Cyber espionage
• B. Data breach
• C. Phishing
• D. Ransomware

Answer: (A)

Cyber espionage describes covert collection of information by state actors, organizations, or competitors to gain strategic or economic advantage. It focuses on stealing classified data, sensitive government or corporate information, and intellectual property so the attacker can use that knowledge to influence decisions, outperform competitors, or strengthen bargaining power. This emphasizes intent and purpose—the information is sought to gain an advantage—rather than simply exposing data or causing disruption. This differs from a data breach, which is any unauthorized access to data without specifying motive, and from phishing, which is a method used to trick people into revealing credentials. Ransomware centers on encrypting data and demanding payment, not primarily on stealing information for strategic gain.

Cyber espionage describes covert collection of information by state actors, organizations, or competitors to gain strategic or economic advantage. It focuses on stealing classified data, sensitive government or corporate information, and intellectual property so the attacker can use that knowledge to influence decisions, outperform competitors, or strengthen bargaining power. This emphasizes intent and purpose—the information is sought to gain an advantage—rather than simply exposing data or causing disruption.

This differs from a data breach, which is any unauthorized access to data without specifying motive, and from phishing, which is a method used to trick people into revealing credentials. Ransomware centers on encrypting data and demanding payment, not primarily on stealing information for strategic gain.