What is a honeypot in cybersecurity?

A honeypot in cybersecurity serves as a decoy system intentionally set up to attract cyber attackers by simulating vulnerabilities found in real systems. The purpose of a honeypot is to lure potential attackers to interact with it, allowing security professionals to observe their techniques, understand their motives, and gather intelligence on their behavior. This information can be invaluable for improving defenses and enhancing overall cybersecurity strategies.

This method of deception is proactive; it helps to analyze and mitigate threats before they can cause real harm to genuine assets. By diverting the attackers' attention away from vital systems, organizations can potentially reduce the risk of an actual breach and fortify their security measures based on findings from these controlled interactions.