From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in our systems. To protect against these threats, it’s essential to understand the motives and methods of those behind them. Read on to explore the world of threat actors, the definition of cybercriminals and learn why it’s so important to understand them in today’s threat landscape.
Who are threat actors?
Threat actors are classed as individuals or groups who initiate cyberattacks or other malicious activities with the goal of causing harm, stealing data or disrupting day-to-day operations. They can be classified in the following categories:
- Nation states: Governments or state-sponsored groups that use cyberattacks for espionage or to gain a strategic advantage over other nations.
- Organized crime groups: Groups that are well-funded, organized and have the ability to use sophisticated techniques in their attacks. They’re also often involved in other illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
- Highly capable criminal groups: Sophisticated groups that are capable of carrying out complex cyberattacks, but aren’t necessarily a threat to national security or the global economy.
- Motivated individuals: Individuals who hack for fun, fame or profit. They’re not necessarily well-funded and their attacks can be fairly unsophisticated. However, they can still be dangerous if they have access to sensitive information or infrastructure.
- Script kiddies: Inexperienced amateurs who hack using pre-written or easily accessible programs.
Why do threat actors target your cloud infrastructure?
Figuring out why threat actors might target your cloud infrastructure is one of the most important things you can do to protect your organization. In many cases, it will help you determine which threats are most likely to be a serious concern and how best to address them. There are many reasons that threat actors may target your cloud infrastructure, including:
- Monetary gain: Threat actors often target cloud infrastructure because it can be lucrative. The data that passes through the cloud is often valuable, and the services offered by cloud providers are appealing targets for criminals.
- Political or ideological motivations: Cybercriminals with strong political or ideological beliefs may target cloud infrastructure to make a statement or to disrupt organizations or governments that they perceive as unethical or against their interests.
- Personal grudges or revenge: In some cases, threat actors may be motivated by a personal vendetta against an organization or individual. This could be due to a past disagreement or conflict.
- A desire for notoriety: Threat actors can target cloud infrastructure to gain notoriety or to prove their skills to their peers. This type of attacker is often motivated by a desire to be recognized and respected within the hacking community.
Common threat tactics in cloud infrastructure and Salesforce environments
Threat actors use a variety of tactics to gain access to — and operate within — cloud environments like Salesforce. Some of the most common include:
Social engineering
This tactic involves manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing specific actions. It exploits human psychology and trust. The five most common social engineering attacks include:
- Phishing
Tricking users into opening malicious attachments, clicking links in emails, or downloading malware disguised as legitimate software. - Pretexting
Creating a false narrative to gain access to information, often by impersonating colleagues, law enforcement, or other authority figures. - Baiting
Luring victims with a tempting offer or reward (e.g., free music or movie downloads) in exchange for sensitive information or access. - Scareware
Using alarming messages — such as fake virus alerts via pop-ups or banners — to convince users to install fake antivirus software or take other compromising actions. - Spear phishing
Sending highly targeted messages tailored with personal or organizational information to appear legitimate and deceive specific individuals or teams.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs)
APTs are prolonged, targeted attacks in which threat actors infiltrate a system and remain undetected for extended periods. The goal is typically to steal sensitive data or disrupt operations without triggering alarms.
Insider threats
Disgruntled or negligent employees with access to critical systems can pose serious risks. They may leak confidential data, steal intellectual property, or compromise security — motivated by revenge, profit, or personal gain.
Ransomware attacks
Ransomware encrypts files or locks users out of systems, demanding payment to restore access. These attacks can severely disrupt business operations, result in data loss, and incur significant financial costs.
Understanding who threat actors are, what motivates them, and how they operate is essential to building a strong cybersecurity posture, especially in complex cloud environments like Salesforce. By recognizing the tactics used and the risks posed by different types of attackers, organizations can take smarter, more targeted steps to defend their systems, educate their users, and reduce exposure. Cyber threats aren’t going away, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can stay one step ahead.