Understanding APT: Advanced Persistent Threat Explained

The term APT, referring to Advanced Persistent Threat, originated to describe cyber espionage operations, particularly by nation-states like China, the US, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Initially used to convey the ideas behind Chinese cyber espionage attacks known as Titan Rain, APT evolved to encompass various cyber activities where attackers remain undetected in victim networks for extended periods. While APT definitions vary, it generally denotes long-term cyber intrusion. Recommendations suggest avoiding APT label for hacker groups and using more precise language for clarity and specificity in cyber threat descriptions.