A cybersecurity analyst is reviewing a threat intelligence report detailing an attack on a national power grid. The attack did not involve ransomware or data exfiltration for financial purposes but instead caused widespread service outages. Which of the following threat actors is MOST likely responsible for this type of attack?
Nation-state actors are the most likely perpetrators of attacks on critical national infrastructure, such as a power grid, where the primary motive is disruption rather than direct financial gain. Their goals are often political, military, or strategic. Organized crime is primarily motivated by financial profit and is less likely to conduct an attack without a clear monetization strategy. While a hacktivist might also have political motivations to disrupt services, they typically lack the high level of resources and sophistication required to successfully attack national critical infrastructure. An insider threat could potentially cause significant disruption, but an attack on a national scale is more characteristic of a well-funded, external actor like a nation-state.
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What makes nation-state actors well-suited to attack critical infrastructure?
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How does a nation-state actor's attack differ from one by organized crime groups?
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Why are hacktivists less likely to succeed in attacking critical infrastructure?