What is the purpose of a "honeypot" in cybersecurity?

Answer: To lure attackers and gather information about their techniques.

Explanation: Honeypots are decoy systems that intentionally present seemingly vulnerable services or data to attract attackers. By engaging with attackers in a controlled environment, security teams can observe tools, tactics, and procedures to improve detection, response, and defenses.

Key purposes:

• Detect and monitor attacks early by observing attacker behavior.

• Collect forensic data about tools, exploits, and command sequences used by attackers.

• Divert attackers away from real assets and study adversary tradecraft.

• Test and validate detection mechanisms and incident response processes.

Deployment note: Honeypots must be isolated, monitored, and carefully managed so they cannot be used as a launch point to attack other systems. There are different types (for example, low-interaction and high-interaction) that trade realism for complexity and risk.