Definition
Reconnaissance is the initial phase of a cyberattack where an attacker gathers information about a target system or network to identify vulnerabilities. This process involves actively or passively probing the target to understand its structure, identify potential entry points, and learn about the technologies in use. Understanding reconnaissance is crucial for defenders as it allows for proactive security measures and threat anticipation. For instance, an attacker might use network scanning tools to discover open ports and services on a company's servers. This differs from exploitation, which is the act of actively leveraging a discovered vulnerability. Knowledge of reconnaissance techniques is fundamental for cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.