In cybersecurity, what is "exploitation"?

In cybersecurity, "exploitation" refers to the act of taking advantage of a vulnerability in a system, application, or network. This often involves an attacker leveraging a weakness to gain unauthorized access or to execute malicious actions such as stealing data, changing system configurations, or creating backdoors for future access.

Understanding exploitation is critical for organizations as it highlights the importance of identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be targeted by attackers. Through effective threat assessments and vulnerability management, organizations can reinforce their defenses and reduce the likelihood of a successful exploitation.

The other choices do not pertain to the concept of exploitation in cybersecurity. Monitoring network traffic is an essential practice for detecting unauthorized activities but does not involve taking advantage of vulnerabilities. Methods of encrypting data focus on securing information rather than exploiting weaknesses. Training employees on security risks is crucial for creating awareness and fostering a security-conscious culture, but it does not involve the act of exploitation itself.