Why might competitors launch attacks against an opponent's system?

Launching attacks against an opponent's system is often motivated by the desire to steal classified information. Cyberattacks aimed at accessing sensitive data can provide competitors with strategic advantages, such as intellectual property theft or proprietary insights, that could enhance their own market position. This practice is common in corporate espionage, where the primary goal is to gain access to confidential information that could be used to outmaneuver rivals, develop new products, or improve operational efficiencies.

While other motivations for attacks exist, such as ethical hacking or testing security—noting the broader implications of security measures—these do not align with the competitive nature of adversarial actions typically seen in the business landscape. Thus, the focus on stealing classified information encapsulates the primary aim in many competitive scenarios.