Explain the concept of threat hunting.

The concept of threat hunting refers to the proactive approach of searching for cyber threats that may have successfully bypassed conventional security measures and gone undetected within an organization’s network. Unlike traditional reactive security measures, which focus on responding to alerts generated by security systems, threat hunting involves analysts actively seeking out indicators of compromise (IOCs) or tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers.

This practice is based on the understanding that some malicious activities can evade detection by security tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS) or antivirus software. By employing threat hunting, organizations can uncover hidden threats, understand the tactics employed by adversaries, and enhance their security posture. This is a crucial aspect of maintaining robust security against sophisticated threats as it helps in minimizing potential damage and improving incident response capabilities.

The other options, while related to security practices, do not capture the proactive and investigative nature of threat hunting. Searching for outdated software and monitoring network activity for performance issues primarily deal with maintenance and monitoring rather than the proactive detection of threats. Reviewing backups for integrity focuses on ensuring data reliability and recovery, which, while essential, does not address the core aim of identifying hidden cyber threats within the network.