Which of the following is a characteristic of criminal syndicates in the context of cyber threats?

Criminal syndicates are often characterized by their organized and hierarchical structure that focuses on engaging in illegal activities for profit. In the context of cyber threats, these syndicates utilize their resources and technical expertise to conduct online attacks specifically aimed at financial gain. This can include a variety of cybercriminal activities such as stealing credit card information, orchestrating ransomware attacks, and conducting various forms of fraud.

The motivation behind their actions is primarily monetary, which drives them to innovate and evolve their techniques continuously to exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Their operations may involve sophisticated methods to bypass security measures and can affect a broad range of entities, from small businesses to large corporations, reflecting their emphasis on profit maximization through cybercrime.

Other characteristics, such as focusing solely on traditional crime, being primarily hacktivists, or working solely within corporate environments, do not accurately represent the nature of criminal syndicates in the realm of cybersecurity. Criminal syndicates are distinguished by their commitment to cyber activities aimed at financial exploitation, setting them apart from other types of cyber threat actors.