Threat landscape definition
The threat landscape is the big picture of potential risks and dangers people may face online. It can include a range of cybersecurity risks (from malware attacks and stolen data to data breaches) that can harm individuals, organizations, or businesses.
Technology is constantly evolving — and so is the threat landscape. Hackers are tirelessly looking for new ways to carry out cyberattacks. That's why staying on top of digital security and learning about new and emerging threats is so important.
See also: cyberattack
What influences the threat landscape
- Discovering new system weaknesses that can help cybercriminals find new ways to attack.
- The release of new software versions with additional functionality.
- The development of hardware platforms and data processing methods (e.g., cloud services or edge computing).
- Making major changes to organizations’ infrastructure due to global events (like the COVID-19 pandemic).
Why the threat landscape is important
- Companies can determine the most serious risks and find ways to avoid them.
- Organizations get essential information about new threats to take action (for example, updating systems, fixing weaknesses, and preparing employees).
- Organizations learn how to respond to security incidents. Businesses can better understand what may have caused the attack and take the right actions to minimize damage, restore services, and prevent future incidents.
