Infographic If We Were to Hack You, Here’s What We’d Do
By Insight Editor / 24 Mar 2025 / Topics: Zero Trust Cybersecurity Data protection
When a threat actor attempts to infiltrate your business, which areas do they target first? How do they spot your vulnerabilities and exploit your weaknesses — and how can you stop them?
Our security experts deeply understand how hackers think and maneuver, allowing us to step into the mind of a threat actor and spot their next steps. Because of this, we also know how to best protect your business.
Ready to step into the mind of a hacker? Let’s dive in.
Accessibility note: The infographic is transcribed below the graphic.
Infographic text included for screen readers:
Understanding how a hacker might infiltrate your business is a crucial step in identifying gaps, enhancing threat protection, and bolstering response and recovery strategies.
Insight has 20+ years of experience in security transformation knowledge and a deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. We know bad actors, and we know how to identify and address vulnerabilities.
So, if we were to hack your business, here’s how we’d find your security gaps — and how we can help close them.
1. Reconnaissance
Gathering intelligence
What we’d do
First, we’d start by collecting publicly available info about your business and employees. We’d use avenues like social media to find names, emails, job openings, technologies, IDs, ongoing projects, and more.
How we can help
We have a catalog of trusted solutions and tools for encryption, access, tokenization, and more to keep your critical information secure. We’ll ensure that these solutions are properly implemented and monitored to provide data protection and intrusion prevention.
During active reconnaissance, Managed Security services come in handy because detections are put in place to spot this activity and respond accordingly.
2. Scanning
Mapping out your network
What we’d do
After we’ve gathered information, we’d use freely available tools to scan your network for vulnerabilities, open ports, and services running on devices. Through this step, we could identify the attack surface and vulnerabilities to exploit.
How we can help
Our vulnerability assessment and patch management services help clients identify and address system vulnerabilities. Once we know your gaps, we’ll provide security best practices and solution recommendations to quickly remediate vulnerabilities and reduce overall risk.
3. Gaining access
Exploiting vulnerabilities
What we’d do
Using our initial reconnaissance information, we’d spearphish specific employees and provide enough context (branding, technology, project info, etc.) to pose as another employee or vendor. By convincing users to click a malicious link or download malware, we’d gain access to your network.
95% Cybersecurity issues traced to human error1
How we can help
Our training programs and security awareness initiatives equip employees with the knowledge to identify and mitigate phishing threats — and our Zero Trust alignment provides a proactive approach to mitigate risks posed by insider threats.
4. Establishing a foothold
Maintaining access to your network
What we’d do
With this access, we might install a backdoor or other malware to ensure we can return without detection. By establishing a foothold, we set the stage for long-term infiltration.
How we can help
Insight has an extensive library of detections and automations, crafted over years of working with diverse clients and environments.
Our threat-hunting team will research new risks to find previously undetected activity in your environment. After hunting and remediation, the hunt is created as an ongoing detection rule, and the process repeats so detections stay up to date with emerging threats.
With Managed Security services and Security Operations Center (SOC) strategies, you’ll detect and prevent malware from being installed.
5. Data Exfiltration
Stealing sensitive information
What we’d do:
Our final step would involve extracting data, such as customer information, financial records, intellectual property, and more. This can significantly damage your business, employees, and reputation.
How we can help:
Cybersecurity events are bound to happen, but what you do after an attack can make all the difference. We offer comprehensive incident response services, including Managed Security, lessons learned exercises, and post-incident gap remediation.
Insight emergency hotline
Even if you aren’t an Insight security client, our world-class incident response team is always available to help.
Contact our live agents for instant support and expert assistance during any active cybersecurity emergency: 1.800.950.3475
A cyberattack is not an “if” — it’s a “when.”
Hackers are growing more and more sophisticated, but with the right tools and a team of experts on your side, you’ll stay ahead of their next move.
Learn why end-to-end security starts with Insight, and talk with a specialist today to get started.
1 World Economic Forum. (2022, Jan. 11) The Global Risks Report 2022, 17th Edition. World Economic Forum in partnership with Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group.
