Which type of threat actor is MOST likely to engage in activities aiming to obtain sensitive information from an organization to demand payment in return for not releasing the information?
A Blackmail motivation typically involves the threat of revealing sensitive information unless a demand (often for payment) is met, which aligns with the modus operandi of organized crime groups. Organized crime syndicates are known for seeking financial gain through coercion and intimidation, making them the most likely to engage in blackmail. Nation-state actors, while possessing the capability for such actions, are usually driven by espionage or political objectives. Unskilled attackers often lack the expertise to obtain and leverage sensitive information effectively, and hacktivists are generally motivated by political or social objectives, not financial gain through extortion.
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What are some tactics organized crime groups use for blackmail?
What distinguishes organized crime from other threat actors like nation-states and hacktivists?
How do organizations protect themselves from blackmail by organized crime actors?