What term describes attractive data used to mislead and trap adversaries in cybersecurity?

The term that describes attractive data specifically designed to mislead and trap adversaries in cybersecurity is "decoy files." These are a form of deception technology where fake files or systems are created to lure attackers. The primary purpose of decoy files is to divert the attention of malicious actors from real, sensitive data. By interacting with decoy files, adversaries can be detected, and their tactics and techniques can be analyzed without risking the integrity of actual sensitive information.

Decoy files can simulate real data or be structured in a way that makes them appear valuable to an attacker, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will engage with these traps. Implementing decoy files in a security strategy allows organizations to gather intelligence on attack patterns, understand vulnerabilities, and enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

The other terms relate to different aspects of cybersecurity. Honeynets are expansive, controlled environments set up specifically to attract and analyze attacks. KPI metrics are key performance indicators used to measure the success of security policies and controls, while monitoring tools are employed for observing and managing security environments. Each of these fulfills roles in maintaining cybersecurity but does not specifically refer to the technique of using bait data to ensnare adversaries.