Significance & Stages of the Cyber Kill Chain

These days, the number of cybercrimes is increasing as people are using online resources much more than they ever did. The use of technology has not only given numerous benefits but also certain risks like cyberattacks or hacking. There is a need for every organization to keep their data safe from hackers and implement certain techniques to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of cyberattacks. This is where the cyber kill chain model helps organizations. Let’s learn more about the cyber kill chain and its importance in this article.

What is Cyber Kill Chain Model?

To prevent cyberattacks and make networks in organizations safe, Lockheed Martin developed a model called Cyber Kill Chain to detect and avoid cyberattacks in a step-by-step way.  The Cyber Kill Chain can be defined as a framework constituted to minimize cyberattacks and enhance network security. The main idea of this model is to understand how hackers attack the target system in various stages because if we understand the strategy of hackers well, it will be easier for us to stop or defend against their attacks.

Attackers do not attack any network in a single stage because a lot more information is needed to crack the security of a network. In fact, there are many steps by which attackers find a way out to get the required data from the target network. It is better to understand the steps taken by hackers to defend their attacks and minimize the loss they intend to cause.

In 2011, Lockheed Martin first introduced this framework to optimize the security of systems and networks but the Cyber Kill Chain model has undergone many advancements since then with better security and higher success rates. The earlier we stop a cyberattack (in its earlier stages), the minimal loss we face.

Phases of the Cyber Kill Chain Model

There are some steps defined in the Cyber Kill Chain model used to avoid a cyberattack:

Reconnaissance: This is the first step of a cyberattack where attackers gather information regarding their target like weaknesses, vulnerabilities, loopholes, etc. The information regarding the target can be taken by attackers from various sources like official websites, social media pages, official emails, calls, etc.

Defensive measure(s): If an organization is aware enough to keep its information safe in this stage, it can easily avoid the further stages of cyberattacks, thereby, stopping the actual attacks. The awareness of not letting confidential information public which can be used in attacks should be there in every employee of that organization to control cyberattacks. This can be achieved by effectively training the workforce to report any suspicious activity found.

Weaponization: This phase can be named a planning phase as the hacker finds ways how to reach the target system and carry out the attack. He/she can decide to send malware through a pen drive, phishing emails, etc. The attacker makes sure that the malware or virus is sent to the target in a planned way.

Defensive measure(s): To nullify this phase of the attack, the awareness of using only trusted devices is important. The attack can be planned by the hacker by sending malware through a pen drive, infected software, a free Wi-Fi network, phishing emails, etc.

Intrusion/ Delivery: After gathering all the important information regarding the target and planning, a hacker plans the attack. This phase is important as the hacker implements his plan of attacking the target.

Defensive measure(s): If security measures are taken while connecting to any network or using any suspicious or untrusted device, this phase of attack can be made ineffective. Therefore, the attack can be stopped.

Exploitation: If the hacker successfully attempted the attack, the next phase is exploiting the target by stealing the required information, modifying the data, creating or deleting files, etc. The attacker reaches this phase if their intrusion is successful so they exploit the target system as planned.

Defensive measure(s): To successfully combat the attack at this stage, it is necessary to have anti-viruses installed on the system, keep the system up-to-date, and store sensitive information on a secured server.

Installation: Once hackers find a way to the target system, they make sure that the system is used by them for a long time to carry out their plan. They install some malware to exploit the system as long as it is intended. These types of malware are generally ransomware.

Defensive measure(s): Security measures like checking any unusual behavior in the operation of the system, and unwanted files or programs running on the system are very important to curb the attack. Having anti-viruses enabled and conducting regular security checkups are important ways to stop the attack in this phase. Know how to prevent ransomware attacks and stay safe while online.

Control & Command: When a system is attacked or compromised, the attacker tries to gain control over the system from outside. After getting control of the system, the attacker then starts giving commands to modify the functions of the system.

Defensive measure(s): This phase of the attack can be controlled by observing any unusual behavior in the system,

Actions on Objectives: After getting remote access, hackers start executing their plans which may include exploiting the target user using the system financially, socially, politically, etc. In this phase of the attack, the attackers successfully complete their intended actions that may damage the user(s) using the system or harm an organization’s reputation (like data theft).

Significance of the Cyber Kill Chain Model

The Cyber Kill Chain model not only helps think like hackers but also enables early attack detection and mitigation. This largely reduces the aftereffects of potential cyberattacks. If security teams thwart attacks in the early stages of this model, they can keep their organizations safe from any adverse situation where their business or IT operations are affected. The main thing that is needed to avoid cyberattacks is to be alert and have good network and system security. The earlier the attack is detected, the less work is needed to stop it.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is essential to know the step-by-step stages of a cyberattack to combat it effectively in its initial stages. This is where the Cyber kill chain model helps. Cybersecurity professionals should be able to detect & avoid cyberattacks in the above-defined stages as early as possible to keep the security of their organizations uncompromised.

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