Which type of threat actor might use cyber espionage despite it being commonly associated with state actors?

The choice of competitor as the correct answer highlights the reality that not only state actors engage in cyber espionage. Competitors may resort to cyber espionage to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information about other businesses' trade secrets, research and development, customer data, or strategies. They can benefit significantly from such intelligence, allowing them to improve their own market position or undermine their rival.

While state actors are often associated with cyber espionage due to their capabilities and motivations related to national security and geopolitical interests, competitors are increasingly leveraging similar tactics to gain commercial advantages in a highly competitive landscape. This reflects a growing trend where corporate espionage mimics the sophisticated approaches seen in state-sponsored operations.

In this scenario, the motivations of competitors center around gaining financial advantages and market insights, making them a distinct type of threat actor that might employ methods typically linked to state-sponsored activities.