Advanced Persistent Threat

Definition

Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a Threat Actor that possesses sophisticated levels of expertise and significant resources which allow it to create opportunities to achieve its objectives by using multiple threat vectors.

The advanced persistent threat:

• pursues its objectives repeatedly over an extended period of time;
• adapts to defenders’ efforts to resist it; and
• is determined to execute its objectives.

Reference

• Adapted from NIST