What is a key characteristic of a honeypot?

A honeypot is designed to attract potential attackers by simulating vulnerable systems. Its key characteristic is that it operates in an isolated, monitored environment, which means that the activity performed within the honeypot is carefully observed and analyzed. This monitoring allows security professionals to study attackers' behavior and techniques in real-time, gaining valuable insights into security threats and vulnerabilities.

The isolation of the honeypot ensures that any activity does not directly impact the live production environment, which is critical for preventing actual breaches and maintaining the integrity of operational systems. By being monitored, the honeypot can provide feedback and data that are essential for improving security measures and responses to real attacks. Thus, the combination of these characteristics—being both isolated and monitored—makes the honeypot an effective tool in cybersecurity strategies.