What are indicators of compromise (IOCs)?

Indicators of compromise (IOCs) are specific artifacts, such as files, IP addresses, URLs, or other data points, that suggest a potential breach or malicious activity has occurred within a network environment. They serve as crucial clues for investigators and analysts to identify security incidents and mitigate ongoing threats.

When analyzing the choices provided, the correct selection highlights that IOCs point to evidence of malicious activity, such as unusual file changes, unexpected behavior exhibited by systems, or known malicious technical signatures. This information is vital for threat detection and response, enabling security teams to act swiftly to protect systems and data.

The other options do not align with the definition of IOCs: data encryption standards are related to securing data rather than identifying compromises; regulatory compliance checks pertain to adherence to laws or regulations rather than detecting threats; and network performance metrics deal with the operational efficiency of the network rather than indicators of malicious activities. Understanding IOCs is foundational in cybersecurity, facilitating effective incident detection and cybersecurity posture improvement.