Definition
Reconnaissance techniques are methods used to gather information about a target system or network before launching an attack or implementing a defense. These techniques can be passive, involving publicly available information, or active, directly probing the target. Understanding reconnaissance is crucial for cybersecurity professionals to anticipate adversary actions and build robust defenses. For instance, an attacker might use network scanning tools to identify open ports and running services on a company's servers. This differs from exploitation, which is the act of leveraging vulnerabilities discovered during reconnaissance. Knowledge of these techniques is fundamental for certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.