Cyber threat

A cyber threat can be unintentional and intentional, targeted or nontargeted, and can come from a variety of sources. Unintentional threats can be caused by software upgrades or maintenance procedures that inadvertently disrupt systems.

Intentional threats include both targeted and nontargeted attacks. A targeted attack is when a group or individual specifically attacks a critical infrastructure system. A nontargeted attack occurs when the intended target of the attack is uncertain, such as when a virus, worm, or malware is released on the Internet with no specific target.