Island Hopping

What is Island Hopping?

Island Hopping is a cyberattack strategy where attackers target third-party organizations (e.g., suppliers, partners) to gain access to the primary target. By compromising a trusted third party, attackers can move laterally to the primary target's network.

How Island Hopping Works

Island Hopping typically involves the following steps:

• Target Identification: The attacker identifies a third-party organization with access to the primary target.
• Initial Compromise: The attacker infiltrates the third-party organization's systems.
• Lateral Movement: The attacker uses the third-party's access to move laterally to the primary target's network.
• Exploitation: The attacker performs malicious activities on the primary target's network.

Interactive Island Hopping Example

Below is a simulation of an Island Hopping attack. Click the button to see how an attacker compromises a primary target through a third-party organization.

Island Hopping Tools and Resources

Here are some tools and resources to help you understand and defend against Island Hopping attacks:

How to Defend Against Island Hopping

To protect your organization from Island Hopping attacks, follow these best practices:

• Assess Third-Party Security: Regularly assess the security practices of third-party vendors.
• Implement Network Segmentation: Isolate third-party access to your network.
• Monitor for Lateral Movement: Use SIEM and EDR tools to detect lateral movement.
• Educate Employees: Train employees to recognize and report suspicious activity.