By Charles Joseph | Cybersecurity Researcher

 Published on November 26th, 2022

This post was updated on November 25th, 2023

Cyber espionage is the act of gathering intelligence or sensitive information through illegal means via the internet. This can be done by hacking into computer systems, planting malware, or using social engineering techniques to trick people into revealing confidential information.

Key Points

• Cyber espionage is a type of digital espionage that uses computer networks to gain access to sensitive information.
• Cyber espionage can be used to steal trade secrets, intellectual property, and other confidential information.
• Cyber espionage can be conducted by nation-states, criminal organizations, and individual hackers.
• Cybersecurity measures can help protect against cyber espionage attacks, but they are not foolproof.

5 Reasons Cyber Espionage Occurs

1. To gain access to sensitive or confidential information.
2. To disrupt or disable critical infrastructure.
3. To cause economic damage by stealing trade secrets or sabotaging business operations.
4. To gather intelligence on military targets or governments.
5. To embarrass or discredit an organization or individual.