Lateral movement refers to the technique used by cyber attackers to navigate within a network after gaining initial access. Instead of directly targeting a single system, they move sideways to explore and compromise other connected devices or accounts. This approach helps them gather sensitive information or escalate their privileges. Attackers often use lateral movement to avoid detection by security systems. They may exploit vulnerabilities in software, use stolen credentials, or leverage network protocols to access additional resources. Understanding this tactic is crucial for organizations to strengthen their defenses and monitor for unusual activity within their networks.