Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

The cyberattack lifecycle is a seven-step process. What is the correct response?

1. True

2. False

3. It varies by attack type

4. Not enough information

The correct answer is: False

The statement related to the cyberattack lifecycle being a seven-step process is not accurate, as the lifecycle can encompass a variety of frameworks and models that may not conform to a strict seven-step format. While many cybersecurity professionals recognize certain stages in a cyberattack, such as reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives, the number of steps can vary depending on the model and the nature of the attack itself. In addition, there are frameworks that incorporate more or fewer stages, and some attacks may not follow a linear progression at all, demonstrating the variability of cyberattack methodologies. As such, stating that the cyberattack lifecycle is definitively seven steps oversimplifies the complexities of cyber threats and their respective processes.