What Is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)? – Source:levelblue.com

If the term “cyber threat” alone is enough to make any company nervous, imagine a sophisticated cyberattack designed not only to infiltrate but to remain hidden within a network for extended periods. These threats are real, but they can also be countered. Let us introduce you to the infamous APTs or advanced persistent threats.

What Is an APT?

An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a highly sophisticated and sustained cyberattack. It relies on stealthy attack techniques that allow an intruder to maintain an undetected presence within a network and steal confidential data over an extended period.

An APT attack is carefully planned and executed, requiring a specific strategy to bypass security measures and avoid detection. Carrying out an APT attack involves a much higher level of customization and sophistication than a typical cyberattack.

The defining characteristic of this threat is the persistence of its activity: the attackers establish a long-term presence within a system or network while remaining hidden. These attacks often have substantial backing and are commonly driven by motives such as political espionage, sabotage, or the pursuit of strategic advantages.

APT Stages: A Constantly Evolving Threat

To prevent, detect, and counter these threats, it is crucial to understand how they work. Most APTs follow the same basic life cycle, composed of progressive and interdependent phases.

Stage 1: Infiltration

To enter the system, cybercriminals often use infected files, spam emails, vulnerable applications, or weaknesses in the network. For example, a phishing email may be carefully crafted and selectively targeted at high-ranking personnel. The message might appear to come from a trusted team member and reference an ongoing project to enhance credibility.

Stage 2: Escalation and Lateral Movement

Once initial access is gained, attackers deploy malware to initiate the next phase: expansion. This “planting” process allows them to set up a network of tunnels and backdoors to move around the system undetected.

From there, they move laterally to map out the network and gather credentials such as account names and passwords, enabling access to critical business information. With deeper infiltration, hackers can navigate the network at will. They may also attempt to access other servers, devices, or secured areas of the infrastructure.

Stage 3: Observe, Learn, and Persist

In preparation for the third phase, cybercriminals typically store the stolen data in a secure location within the network until a sufficient amount has been collected. Then, they extract or exfiltrate it without raising alarms.

Tactics such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks may distract the security team and keep network personnel busy while the data is being exfiltrated. Hackers usually leave the network compromised, ready for reentry whenever they choose.

How to Prevent Advanced Persistent Threats

Advanced persistent threat detection involves a strategic combination of different security measures. Knowing them all can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be your responsibility alone. At LevelBlue, we offer the services and experts you need to modernize your network security and give your company the confidence and peace of mind it deserves.

Implementing Preventive Security Controls like WAF and NGFW

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) are essential preventive solutions that help protect organizations from APTs.

WAFs act as a security barrier for web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between the web app and the internet. This helps detect common web threats and limits an APT’s ability to exploit application-layer vulnerabilities.

NGFWs improve upon traditional firewalls by incorporating advanced features like intrusion prevention and application control. This enables them to detect and block more sophisticated threats, including APTs. By monitoring network traffic, NGFWs can identify unusual patterns or behaviors that may indicate an APT infiltration.

Using Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS)

Breach and Attack Simulation tools can significantly aid organizations by automating the emulation of adversarial behaviors. These tools simulate the actions of various threat actors in a controlled and non-disruptive way, allowing organizations to assess their defenses realistically.

Training and Educating Teams

Advanced persistent threats often begin with phishing attacks. Therefore, training users to recognize and avoid potentially harmful emails is vital to a robust defense strategy. Awareness programs that help employees identify suspicious messages can prevent initial infiltration attempts.

Designing a Whitelist

Whitelisting involves designating a specific set of applications or domains as trustworthy. Only traffic from approved applications and domains is allowed through the network. This tool significantly reduces the number of potential attack vectors and helps enforce a tighter security perimeter.

Implementing Sandbox Environments

Another effective method to prevent attacks is sandboxing. When a sandbox protocol is implemented, a specific application is restricted to an isolated environment where suspicious behavior can be analyzed. If malicious code is executed, it only affects the protected sandbox environment—keeping the rest of the system safe from harm.

Industries Most Vulnerable to APT Attacks

Certain industries are inherently more prone to advanced persistent threats. This “selection” is typically based on their strategic importance, the sensitivity of their data, and the potential for causing widespread disruption.

Government Agencies and Departments

Cyber espionage targeting foreign governments doesn’t just happen in spy movies. These agencies possess vast amounts of sensitive information, from national security data to economic and foreign policy details, making them highly attractive targets.

Defense Industry and Government Contractors

These entities often handle sensitive and classified information related to national security, advanced weaponry, and cutting-edge technology. Such data is highly valuable to adversaries seeking strategic advantages. Critical Infrastructure Organizations Entities in sectors like energy, water, transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare have the potential to cause significant social disruption if compromised. APT attacks on these sectors could cripple essential services, cause physical damage, or even endanger lives.

High-Tech and Manufacturing Industries

The high-tech sector is a frequent target due to its intellectual property, R&D data, and trade secrets. APT attacks can lead to significant financial losses and damage a company’s competitive edge. Financial Services Banks, insurance companies, and payment processors are attractive targets not only because of the monetary gains they offer but also due to the sensitive customer data and transaction histories they store. This data can be exploited in a wide range of illicit activities.

Healthcare Industry

The healthcare sector is increasingly targeted due to the vast amount of personal and medical data it holds. Information like patient records and research on new treatments can be exploited for identity theft, extortion, or commercial espionage.

How LevelBlue Can Help

Cyber threats are evolving and becoming more advanced every day. What sets APTs apart is that they adapt and refine their tactics as they infiltrate your system. If they’re left unchecked, your entire infrastructure could be compromised.

The key is to track and detect an APT before it reaches the most secure areas of your network. At LevelBlue, we provide advanced technology that expands visibility and enables proactive response to emerging attack techniques.

The content provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, compliance, or cybersecurity advice. Organizations should consult their own legal, compliance, or cybersecurity professionals regarding specific obligations and risk management strategies. While LevelBlue’s Managed Threat Detection and Response solutions are designed to support threat detection and response at the endpoint level, they are not a substitute for comprehensive network monitoring, vulnerability management, or a full cybersecurity program.