AP® Cybersecurity glossary
Lateral movement
Using access to one compromised device to compromise other devices on the same local area network (LAN).
Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 3.1.B.23.1.C.1
Why it matters in Unit 3
Lateral movement lets adversaries reach more sensitive or critical systems. Segmentation, in topic 3.3, limits how far they can move.
Example
An adversary controls one staff laptop, then uses it to reach the payroll server on the same flat network.
Learn it properly, with a checkpoint 3.1 Network Vulnerabilities and Attacks