What is Threat Actor?

Understanding Threat Actor

An individual or group that can manifest a threat. Threat actors are individuals groups or entities that have the intent capability and opportunity to cause harm to information systems or organizations. They include categories such as nation-states criminal organizations hacktivists insiders competitors and others with varying motivations resources and methods. Understanding threat actors is essential for security planning and risk assessment. Threat actor analysis is part of intelligence frameworks like the Diamond Model and standards like NIST SP 800-53 RA controls. Organizations analyze threat actors through threat intelligence security monitoring behavioral analysis and information sharing with similar organizations. For example a financial institution might monitor specific criminal threat actors known to target banking systems analyzing their tactics techniques and procedures updating detection mechanisms based on their evolving attack methods and sharing information about these actors through financial services information sharing groups. Related terms Advanced Persistent Threat APT Insider threat Hacktivist Nation-state actor Cybercriminal Threat intelligence TTPs Threat hunting Adversary.