ZeroFox Intelligence Brief - An Introduction to Nation-State Cyber Threats

Product Serial: B-2023-12-06a

TLP:CLEAR

In this Intelligence Brief, ZeroFox researchers provide an overview of the distinction between different state-linked threat actors and how advanced persistent threats are defined.

Standing Intelligence Requirements

Deep Dark Web and Criminal Underground DDW

For the most up-to-date list of ZeroFox’s Intelligence Requirements, please visit:

https://cloud.zerofox.com/intelligence/advisories/14956

Link to Download

View the full report here.

Key Findings

Nation states’ cyber programs often leverage a range of threat actors that can be categorized as nation-state actors, nation state-sponsored actors, and nation state-aligned actors.
The distinctions between these three categories almost certainly varies depending on the country, and some nations are assessed to intentionally blur them.
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) refer to a long-term pattern of targeted and sophisticated attack activity in which intruders gain unauthorized access, establish persistence, and remain undetected in compromised networks.
Despite the terms often being used interchangeably, APTs are not synonymous with nation-state actors. APTs span the full range of nation-state linked threat actors, while some APTs likely lie outside nation-state programs altogether.