How do cyber attacks generally initiate?

Cyber attacks typically initiate by identifying the attack surface because this process involves assessing potential points of entry where an attacker can exploit vulnerabilities. Attackers often start by gathering intelligence about the target, which includes understanding the systems, applications, and networks in use, as well as identifying weaknesses that can be leveraged.

This identification is crucial, as it allows attackers to plan their strategies effectively, focusing on the most promising avenues for exploitation. Recognizing the attack surface helps cybercriminals to prioritize their actions and refine their approach to maximize their chances of a successful breach.

The other options address different aspects of security and attack preparation but do not accurately depict the initiation of cyber attacks. Implementing new security measures can fortify defenses but typically does not instigate an attack. Random sampling of network activities might be used in monitoring for threats, but it is not a method of launching an attack, and eliminating all vulnerabilities is an ideal goal that is practically unattainable; attackers rarely wait for every vulnerability to be resolved before attempting an attack.