Hacktivist Mandiant Paths in Geopolitical Conflicts

Hacktivism began as online activism decades ago, and many defenders no longer consider it a threat

Due of their anonymity and versatility, state and non-state entities seeking cyber influence choose hacktivist personalities and techniques

Mandiant defines hacktivism as attacks with the avowed goal of political or social activism

Nation state actors have employed hacktivist methods to aid hybrid operations that harm victims

Defenders must identify, assess, and eliminate new threats as volume and complexity rise and new actors utilise hacktivist techniques

Hacktivism has grown in frequency and scope over the past two years, threatening several organisations

Regions and companies with lower cybersecurity maturity have more vulnerable networks and longer-term effects for victims

Hacktivism and its methods became obsolete as cybersecurity improved, networks became more resilient, and certain law enforcement took legal action