Which of the following phases precedes Gaining access in an attack?

The correct phase that precedes Gaining access in an attack is Reconnaissance. During the Reconnaissance phase, attackers gather information about the target system or network. This may include identifying system types, services running, open ports, and vulnerabilities. The goal is to collect as much relevant data as possible to plan the attack effectively.

Once sufficient information is gathered, attackers can proceed to the next phase, which is Gaining access. This phase involves exploiting the information collected during Reconnaissance to compromise the system and gain unauthorized access. Hence, it's crucial to understand that Gaining access follows after thorough preparatory work in the Reconnaissance stage.

Although Scanning is also an important phase in the attack process, it typically follows the initial Reconnaissance efforts and focuses specifically on probing the target for live hosts, services, and vulnerabilities. Covering tracks and Maintaining access are subsequent phases that occur after Gaining access.