What does the term "exfiltration" refer to in cybersecurity?

The term "exfiltration" in cybersecurity specifically refers to the unauthorized transfer of data from a system. This process involves the extraction of data from a location, often a compromised system, by attackers who aim to steal sensitive information for malicious purposes. It highlights a critical aspect of cybersecurity threats, where the attacker not only gains access to a system but also successfully removes data without detection.

In the context of cybersecurity, understanding exfiltration is vital for developing strategies to protect sensitive data, as well as for detecting intrusions and responding to them effectively. By recognizing how data can be covertly extracted from a secure environment, cybersecurity professionals can implement tighter controls and monitoring mechanisms to prevent such incidents from occurring.