Which step comes first in the cyber kill chain process?

The first step in the cyber kill chain process is reconnaissance. This stage involves the attacker gathering information about the target to identify potential vulnerabilities and plan their approach. Reconnaissance typically includes activities such as scanning networks, researching employees on social media, and gathering details about the organization's infrastructure. This initial phase is crucial, as it lays the groundwork for subsequent steps in the cyber attack, allowing attackers to create more effective strategies for exploitation.

In the context of cybersecurity defense, understanding the importance of reconnaissance helps organizations develop proactive measures to detect and mitigate threats early in the attack cycle. By focusing on this stage, companies can implement better monitoring and detection systems to identify suspicious activity before it escalates to further stages in the kill chain.