What is a honeypot in cybersecurity?

A honeypot in cybersecurity is essentially a decoy system that is deliberately placed within a network to attract and engage potential cyber attackers. Its primary purpose is to serve as bait to draw in malicious actors, allowing cybersecurity professionals to observe their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) without exposing real systems, data, or sensitive information.

By deploying a honeypot, organizations can gain valuable insights into threats and attack patterns. This information can then be used to strengthen defenses, improve incident response plans, and enhance overall security posture. The data collected from these interactions can also assist in understanding emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the definition of a honeypot. A system used for secure data storage does not serve the active engagement with attackers that a honeypot provides. Likewise, software used to filter web content focuses on managing access rather than attracting intrusion, and a method for encrypting sensitive information is concerned with data protection, not deception. The focused goal of a honeypot on deception and data collection from cyber threats distinguishes it clearly from these other functions.