What would be an example of an external actor's impact on cybersecurity?

Phishing attacks serve as a prime example of an external actor's impact on cybersecurity because they are initiated by individuals or groups outside of an organization. Attackers use fraudulent emails or messages to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details. This type of malicious activity directly compromises an organization's security by targeting its employees, often leading to unauthorized access to systems or data breaches.

By exploiting human psychology and trust, external actors can bypass technical defenses, making phishing a significant threat in the realm of cybersecurity. This highlights the importance of understanding and mitigating the risks posed by threats that originate outside an organization. Other options listed, like internal audits, employee training sessions, and security patching, are actions or strategies aimed at improving internal security measures and are not representative of external threats.