What is the purpose of a honeypot in cybersecurity?

The primary purpose of a honeypot in cybersecurity is to act as a decoy to trap hackers who are attempting to access confidential information. Honeypots are intentionally designed to appear as vulnerable systems or networks that attackers might target. By doing this, cybersecurity professionals can divert malicious activities away from their real assets while also gaining insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of attackers.

Through the use of a honeypot, organizations can effectively analyze attack patterns and improve their overall security posture. This proactive approach helps in understanding the mindset of attackers, which can inform better defensive strategies and strengthen the security infrastructure. The collected data can also assist in developing detection mechanisms to identify similar types of attacks in the future, enhancing the organization's ability to protect its actual critical assets.