How does a honeynet support an organization's cyber defense strategy using deception technologies?

A honeynet is a security resource designed to attract, deceive, and analyze attackers by using a network of decoy systems. This approach leverages deception technologies by creating an environment that appears to be a legitimate target for cybercriminals. When attackers engage with these decoy systems, they can reveal their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), providing invaluable intelligence about current threats.

By using a honeynet, an organization is not only able to collect detailed information about the methods used by attackers but also to understand the vulnerabilities that are being exploited. This insight can inform the organization's broader cybersecurity strategy, allowing it to enhance its defenses, patch vulnerabilities, and develop appropriate incident response plans.

In contrast to other options, such as replicating user behavior or monitoring real-time user activity, the primary function of a honeynet is to actively engage with attackers in a controlled environment. This differentiates honeynets from traditional monitoring or user behavior analytics, as it specifically serves the purpose of studying and understanding threat actors in action. Similarly, while establishing a vulnerability database is useful for cybersecurity, the direct interaction with attackers provided by a honeynet equips organizations with a richer context for understanding threat landscapes.