Who are considered to be external actors in cybersecurity?

External actors in cybersecurity refer to individuals or groups that are outside of an organization who may interact with its systems, either with malicious intent or for competitive advantage. Competitors and criminals fit this description as they are not part of the organization but may attempt to access sensitive information or disrupt operations.

Competitors might seek proprietary data to gain a business advantage, while criminals may engage in activities such as hacking or phishing to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain, data theft, or other malicious purposes. This distinction is critical because understanding the nature of external threats helps organizations develop strategies for protecting their assets against potential attacks.

Internal employees, network administrators, and company stakeholders, on the other hand, are typically considered internal actors as they operate within the organization and, while they can also pose security risks, they do not fall under the category of external threats. Recognizing the roles and motivations of external actors is essential for crafting effective cybersecurity policies and incident response strategies.