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Definitions[]

A threat agent (also called a threat actor is

any person or thing that acts (or has the power to act) to cause, carry, transmit, or support a threat. Examples of threat agents are malicious hackers, organized crime, insiders (including system administrators and developers), terrorists, and nation states.[1]
[a]n individual, group, organization, or government that conducts or has the intent to conduct detrimental activities.[2]
[a] system entity that performs a threat action, or an event that results in a threat action.[3]

References[]

  1. Information Security Guide 2 - Glossary (made available under the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 Unported).
  2. NICCS, Explore Terms: A Glossary of Common Cybersecurity Terminology (full-text).
  3. Internet Security Glossary, at 306.
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