What are indicators of compromise (IOCs)?

Indicators of compromise (IOCs) are critical pieces of forensic data that signal potential security breaches or attacks within a system or network. These indicators can take various forms, including file hashes, IP addresses, domain names, and unusual patterns of network traffic. When security teams or analysts detect these manifestations, they can take appropriate actions to mitigate the threat, investigate the incident, or enhance their defensive measures.

The other options do not represent IOCs effectively. Software vulnerabilities would relate to potential weaknesses in systems rather than direct evidence of a compromise. Policies for secure software development outline best practices to reduce vulnerabilities but do not indicate whether a breach has occurred. Similarly, best practices for system maintenance focus on ongoing system health rather than serving as indicators of compromise. Thus, understanding IOCs is essential for detection and response to security incidents.