Cyber Attack Motivations: Connecting Actors with Event Types

This study examines the various motivations that drive cyberattacks, focusing on correlations with the types of actors and the types of events they execute. The rise of digitization, especially post-COVID-19, has intensified the threat landscape, making it critical to understand the factors influencing these attacks. Using the University of Maryland's Cyber Events Database (2014-2024), the research uses chi-squared tests to identify significant correlations between different actor categories-such as cybercriminals, state-sponsored entities, and activist groups-and their motivations, which include financial gain, espionage, protest, and sabotage. The results indicate that ideology-driven actors often engage in disruptive events, while cybercriminals focus primarily on exploitative actions aimed at economic gain. These findings underscore the urgent need for multifaceted cybersecurity strategies that adapt to changing dynamics in the threat landscape, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support informed policymaking to strengthen defenses against diverse cyber risks. The study lays the groundwork for future research into the linkages between actor motivations and their operational impacts, thereby contributing to improved cybersecurity practices and resilience.