Which type of threat actor could use cyber espionage to steal a tech company's product designs?

The choice of competitor as the type of threat actor that could use cyber espionage to steal a tech company's product designs is valid because competitors are often motivated to gain a competitive advantage over each other. In the tech industry, product designs can represent significant intellectual property and innovation. Thus, rivals may resort to espionage techniques to access confidential information that could help them improve their own products or reduce development costs by circumventing research and development efforts.

Competitors typically have the resources and potential motivation to invest in sophisticated cyber espionage tactics, which might include hacking, social engineering, or employing insiders to gain access to sensitive information. By understanding the design and features of a competing product, a company can strategically position itself in the market, potentially leading to increased profits and market share.

In contrast, while other types of threat actors may also attempt to exploit or manipulate data, their motivations and methods differ. For example, hacktivists typically engage in cyber activities for social or political change rather than corporate advantage. Organized crime may focus on financial gains rather than industrial espionage, and insider threats generally involve employees or contractors misusing their access for personal gain or malicious intent, as opposed to direct competition. Thus, while various threat actors pose risks, a competitor's objective