What is Command and Control (C2) in cybersecurity?

Command and Control (C2) in cybersecurity refers specifically to the mechanisms through which attackers communicate with compromised systems to control them remotely. It involves establishing an outbound channel that allows them to send commands, transfer data, and often receive information back from the infected devices. This communication is vital for managing an attack, enabling attackers to execute tasks, maintain persistence on the network, and orchestrate large-scale cyber operations. The remote server is typically under the attacker's control and can facilitate malicious activities such as data exfiltration or further distribution of malware.

Other concepts like methods for data encryption, strategies for penetration testing, or incident response flowcharts, while important in the broader context of cybersecurity, do not accurately encapsulate the specific role and functionality of Command and Control systems. Each of those represents different aspects of cybersecurity practices but does not address the concept of controlling and managing compromised systems remotely as C2 does.